L.D.S.K.

The tempo of this episode is good, and the case is very informative. There was a strange killer. His original purpose was not to kill people, but he became more and more crazy. Reid was braver.

While there were a few underwhelming episodes, like "Blood Hungry", "The Popular Kids" and especially "Machismo" (also thought "Derailed" was uneven and could have been better), Season 1 was a mostly solid season and showed a personal favourite showing huge promise early on.

Most of the episodes in Season 1 are pretty good to outstanding. "L.D.S.K" for me has always been one of the top 5 best of the season (along with "The Fox", "Riding the Lightning", "Charm and Harm" and "The Fisher King Part 1", remember "Plain Sight" incredibly fondly too) and one of the show's greatest episodes. At the time, the concept of long distance serial killers (snipers) was a new idea for 'Criminal Minds' and is still one of the concepts least re-visited.

Immediately standing out was the quality of the storytelling and the character development. The story is gripping throughout and is riddled with tension and suspense, as well twists and turns that keep coming, so when you think you know the answer or have solved the case another you're shocked again. It is also one of few 'Criminal Minds' episodes to not reveal the identity of the unsub or show a shred of suspicion against him until late, making for one of the most pulse-pounding and nail-biting climaxes in 'Criminal Minds' history. Anybody who loves 'Criminal Minds' for the profiling, pathology and the psychological delving in the criminal's mind will not be disappointed at all, all of that's here and in sizable amount, integrated beautifully into the story.

As someone who has always loved Reid, who always has been one of the show's most interesting, endearing and most well-developed leading characters and one of the few reasons why Season 11 was still stuck with (Season 12 is still in early days but have yet to be wowed), "L.D.S.K" was a delight because it develops him and his gun qualification dilemma beautifully that one roots for him from the get go and doesn't stop until the last second. Loved his chemistry with the rest of the team, especially with Hotch (like a no-nonsense boss/loyal friend), Morgan (like a sympathetic and protective big brother) and with Gideon.

The writing is superb, especially in the closing scenes. It really delivers on the tension in the climax, with Hotch's story being so convincing that you are very close to believing him while still aware of what he's planning, while also on the humour ("you kick like a 9 year old girl") and emotion ("I'm proud of you").

Visually, "L.D.S.K" is gritty and stylish but also classy. The episode also contains some of the most effective and mood-enhancing music scores of the season, such as the James Blunt song at the end. The direction lets the action breathe but the momentum is kept alert too. The acting is excellent, especially from Matthew Gray Gubler, Thomas Gibson and Mandy Patinkin. Even Lola Glaudini's fine.

Overall, one of the greatest episodes of 'Criminal Minds'. 10/10 Bethany Cox

LDSK = Long Distance Serial Killers, another name for "Snipers." Whatever you call it, or the BAU of the FBI wants to call it, that is what they have to deal with next as a shooter has picked off three people in two weeks in a park in Des Plaines, Illinois. He then continues to shoot more victims, but he's not killing anyone, just wounding them in the abdomen. What gives?

The BAU team learns on the-job on this case since they really have no profile of this type of person. They find out it has to be someone familiar with police schedules and procedures, so the logical choice is a local cop.

The cops are told this in private, and not to let the information pass fr om the room, but one of them leaks it to the press. This guy really w ants publicity! However, finding exactly who it is, is not easy and leads to a somewhat surprising and very dramatic ending. One of things that happens is "Hotch" kicks and beats up his partner "Dr. Reid!"