Reed (Matthew Gray Gubler) gets himself shot protecting someone in the very first episode of the season, so the team truly is struggling with both Hotch and Reed having been hurt. Once Hotch recovers, the team has to work a multitude of sick and twisted cases, and even a blast from the past. Cases include a spree killer who is mentally disturbed, a group of killers with a pack mentality, several cases with killer husband-and-wife teams, and even a case of a trucker who is killing women who don't fit the perfect image of a mother for his young daughter. The show's 100th episode is especially chilling and moving and finds The Reaper catching up with Hotch, only to leave an indelible mark on Hotch's life. Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Reed) also directs an episode this season and really outdoes himself. The season ends on a dark note and a cliffhanger as a serial killer (Tim Curry) who has been stalking his victims during rolling blackouts for the last 30 years kills a cop working on the case and injures Morgan (Shemar Moore), kidnapping the cop's daughter.
Besides just having to deal with the horrific crimes and unsubs, the team itself has its ups and downs and Hotch is removed as team leader due to his personal involvement with The Reaper. Morgan is placed into his position and does a bang-up job, although reluctantly. Chief Erin Strauss spends a good portion of the season working to get Hotch removed permanently, but relents once The Reaper devastates Hotch's family. Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) is more hands-on this season as she has to go on site with the team several times, once putting her face to face with a serial killer. Rossi (Joe Mantegna) has to revisit his hometown and reopen old wounds about a former love, JJ (A.J. Cook) reveals a painful past involving a family member who committed suicide, and Prentiss (Paget Brewster) and Hotch have to face off against a killer the team put behind bars in Season 1. Finally, there's an episode where a new team is introduced led by Sam Cooper (Forest Whitaker) in what is being developed as a spinoff called Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior. While this team is certainly no replacement for the BAU we've come to know and love, it looks like it'll be a worthy addition to my scary, crime-based TV schedule. Look for it next year.
As for special features, there are short featurettes called Case Files on a handful of episodes, featurettes on the 100th episode, Gubler's directorial debut and The Reaper, plus a lengthy featurette all about Season 5 called Material Witness, and finally a gag reel and on-air promos. Overall, the special features were just right. I really liked how the season was peppered with interesting guest stars like Tim Curry, Linda Purl, Gavin Rossdale, Beth Grant, D.B. Sweeney, Forest Whitaker and many more. It's nice to see familiar faces in roles that you wouldn't expect. I didn't even recognize Tim Curry as the creepy homeless villain from the season finale.
Although I have been a fan of Criminal Minds from the very first episode, Criminal Minds: The Fifth Season is the best season so far, in my opinion. I don't know where they come up with this stuff, but it will keep you on the edge of your seat and coming back for more, time and again. If you've been following the show so far, this is can't-miss stuff.
