Riding the Lightning

Such a sad but beautiful episode, I wish Mandy Patinkin had stayed on the show longer.

It's January of 2021, I've seen many episodes of this show, but never this one until now. (Binge watching on Netflix). If you're like me and haven't seen it yet, I will spare you a spoiler. But this....THIS is an amazing episode in an amazing series. Played out flawlessly from beginning to end. Excellent.

Incredible acting, well written, and simply my favorite of the whole series. This is the one to present to someone unfamiliar with the show. Simply outstanding.

From what I've watched so far, Criminal Minds is a mediocre program overall. It's something that's good to watch, when you have nothing else to do. I don't doubt it could get better, but for now (well up to this episode) it's just a plain Jane - there's nothing that would make me recommend it to all my friends, but I have no reason to dismiss it and never watch it again.

However, I do believe this episode, "Riding the Lightening" to have been a flash of something beautiful in all that is plain. As a viewer, I was finally able to connect with a character on amazing amount of levels - something I've found until now was very lacking in this show. This is a very beautiful episode, there are a lot of questions raised, a very powerful story is told, and it made me cry, a lot. And due to the emotional experience i had watching it, I would very much recommend the episode. Happy viewing!

The reviewers who criticize this episode for plot holes must not have been watching the rest of the season. The show requires a suspension of disbelief, as do most law enforcement shows based on the unique talents of a special group of individuals (Bones, Lie to Me, etc. etc.).

But this was one of the best written episodes of television I've seen. The acting was flawless. The writing was beautiful. The emotional power of the episode was stunning. It pulled at every heart string and had me crying out loud by the end. Of the episodes I've seen so far, definitely the best Criminal Minds case so far.

And the ethical implications... so beautiful... so tragic...