Elephant's Memory

Season 3, Episode 16, Aired

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9.3
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The BAU is called to West Bune, a small town in Texas, to investigate what appears to be spree killings that involve a teenaged boy and his girlfriend.
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Fan Episode Reviews (14)

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  • SSA Spencer Reid. Finally.

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By saleblanc, Aug 22, 2011
    To start I appreciate the fact that Reid's drug problem hasn't been forgotten or swept under the rug. He's aware and trying to address it. Michael Ironside was a nice addition, he's always been a favorite of mine.

    What I loved about this episode was it was Reid focused and oriented but not overly done. His profiling of Owen as well as relating to him, he possibly afraid that he could be Owen based on his family history and background. Reid seemed to want to explain or even defend him. It was obvious Reid has been in Owen's shoes. It seems that it's forgotten sometimes that as smart as Reid is, he is still very young to do the work that he does.

    The scene with Reid and Derek was pretty insightful. Derek explaining to Reid that he wasn't alone and that everyone takes away things from their past both good and bad. But he also reminded him that he wasn't alone.

    One of the things that I really appreciated was the showing of the two different sides of Owen. You have the murderer and you have the protector. They are one in the same but totally different. The script brings to light a very real problem that teenagers deal with every day.

    The final scene with Owen and Reid was incredible. The scene with Reid and Hodges on the plane was great. I loved that Hodges addressed the issue as his boss but also offered some understanding as a friend. I also loved the peak that he knew exactly what "movie" Reid was seeing, shows you he's aware and concerned.moreless

  • Finally, the focus is on Reid.

    9.7
    "Superb"
    By Dakotagirl823, Aug 22, 2011
    I'm pleased that the writer's have chosen to deal with Reid's drug problem in a positive way. It was great that the writer's put a senior menber of the FBI in Reid's group. He now realizes that he doesn't have to face his addiction problem alone.

    Anyone who has suffered cruel abuse by a bully can relate to Derek's character. The writer's did an excellent job of showing a tormented soul who has the heart of a protector. I also feel that the writer's did an great job of showing just how willing adults are to turn a blind eye when it comes to bullying while the victim must deal with the problem on his or her own. The best part of the episode was when Reid and Morgan reflected on how they were the victim of bullies when they were younger. Reid suffered his torment in silence while Morgan found ways fit in and survive. I liked the ending where Reid manages get Derek to surrender without incident. While Hotch and Reid shared some differences of opinions through out the show, Hotch convincingly found a balance of being a boss and being a friend. I loved how Hotch seemed to that Reid was getting help for his addiction without sharing it with the rest of the team.moreless

  • Character development for Reid!

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By JPPT1974, Aug 22, 2011
    Very good show as I am glad that they have focused on Reid once again as he just hasn't been shown much, due to Gideon's departure and Rossi's coming that has dominated the season three. He knew that he felt like Owen. Owen needed help despite all that he had done and ruined. So it is a good thing that Hotch didn't fire him because Hotch knew what he was going through. While Derek considers Reid like a little brother. Really his drug problem hasn't been swept under the rug as he seems to be needing help. The great but underrated Michael Ironside was here. Wished that he had more minutes. Great show and glad that they focused on Reid this time.moreless

  • When a gunman goes on a rampage in Texas with his girlfriend,Reid has to deal with some painful moments in his past.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By kasey64, Aug 22, 2011
    I really love this episode.As someone who has been on the receiving end of bullies, I felt that it really spoke out about the problems with bullies and the harm they do.Reid identifies with a vengeful teenage gunman who was the victim of bullies and uncaring society. I liked how Reid tore the school officials a new one when he was able to see some of Owen's problems just by looking in his files a few minutes,while the teachers never diagnosed them. Even though what Owen did was extreme,of all of his victims, I only felt sorry for the old man. I loved the scene with Reid and Morgan when they both talked about being bullied. Spencer's story was horrible and Ifelt for him as he was crying with the pain of remembering. I also liked the thought that even Morgan was the victim of bullies. I read where some people thought that Reid acted like a brat, but I for one am glad that he spoke up. Maybe if more people spoke up,these kids wouldn't resort to violence.moreless

  • This episode exceeded my expectations.

    9.8
    "Superb"
    By tellygirl, Aug 22, 2011
    The whole concept of this show is the exploration of the criminal mind and episodes like this one demonstrates the complex nature and individuality of each killer perfectly. One of the things I love about this show is that the unsubs aren't always the traditional psychopaths that instill hatred from the viewer but sometimes they are just tortured souls traumatized by a series of awful,sometimes preventable events. Owen was such a person - his actions WERE excessive but he was pushed beyond the limits of normal human endurance and he finally snapped. The traumas he faced made me sympathise with him as much as the victims.
    The most moving part for me though was when Reid told Morgan about the bullying he experienced as a child. He's my favourite character and that scene moved me to tears and strangely impacted my opinion on previous episodes. Now,when I rewatch old episodes,especially the first season,Reid's shyness and lack of confidence will remind me of that particular scene,that being bullied made him withdrawn. He identified with Owen and the painful memories resurfaced causing him to lose his objectivity,which created a lot of tension but thankfully his approach saved a lot of lives this time.
    I was pleased that the drug issue was finally dealt with. I was so happy that he managed to stop using and when the cravings returned he sought help. That was a perfect resolution to the story.
    All in all,the acting,writing,music...everything made this episode heart breakingly wonderful and a definite favourite.moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • TRIVIA (2)

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    • Reid explains at the school that Owen has a learning disability with spatial problems. For example, he wouldn't be able to fill in the correct bubble on a standardized test. However, they previously talked about how the shooter had the skills to effectively use an automatic weapon and how Owen's father had taught him how to shoot because he was a Marine. Shooting well requires excellent hand-eye coordination, which Reid said he didn't have at all.

    • When Reid is speaking before the "Beltway Clean Cops" group, his hair is parted on the left. A few scenes later, his hair is parted on the right. Then the part returns to the left side before he leaves the podium.

  • QUOTES (12)

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    • Reid: Sorry I'm late.
      Rossi: I hope she was worth it.
      Morgan: I hope it was a she.

    • Garcia: (drinking coffee) The kid's tech savvy, sir. But fret not. I am tech savvier. Is that a word? That sounds like a word. If it is a word, I'm it.
      Prentiss: D.C. time, Garcia.
      Garcia: 11:17 a.m.
      Prentiss: D.C. decaf.

    • Sheriff Hallum: That wasn't Jordan's body that we found.
      Prentiss: Who was it?
      Sheriff Hallum: Not who. What. The remains we sent to the M.E. turned out to be three hams and a dozen bone-in ribeyes stuffed in Jordan Norris' blue jeans. So, you tell me. Is she a hostage or accomplice?

    • Rod Norris: (speaking to a creaking tree) You wake me again tonightÂ… it'll be a chainsaw for you.

    • Prentiss: (reading text sent from Jordan's PDA) "You turned her against me."
      Reid: It's not Jordan.
      Prentiss: Somebody please tell me we didn't just get Jordan killed.

    • Hotchner: I know it's painful when the person you identify with is the bad guy.
      Reid: What's that make me?
      Hotchner: Good at the job. (long pause) I know it's none of my business, but when we land I think you should go and, uh, catch the rest of that movie.

    • Hotchner: What were you thinking?
      Reid: I was thinking that that would have been the second time a kid died in front of me.
      Hotchner: You're keeping score, just like Owen.
      Reid: It was my turn to save one.
      Hotchner: Doesn't work like that.
      Reid: It should.

    • Hotchner: (to Reid) You knowingly jeopardized your life and the lives of others, I should fire you.

    • Morgan: You know, we forget half of what they teach us in school, but when it comes to the torment and the people who inflicted it, we've all got an elephant's memory.

    • John: Here. Take this. That's my one year medallion – it took me six years to get it. For the past thirteen years I've never left home without it because I know if I forget that, I'll lose my gun, my credentials, my home, everything. Hold on to it.
      Reid: I only have 10 months.
      John: I know.
      Reid: It's your most prized possession.
      John It is.
      Reid: You're just giving it to me?
      John: No. Couple of months, when you get your year, you give it back to me.
      Reid: I really don't understand.
      John: You will.

    • Reid: "A sad soul can kill you quicker - far quicker - than a germ." John Steinbeck

    • Reid: "We cross our bridges when we come to them, and burn them behind us with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke and a presumption that once our eyes watered." Tom Stoppard

  • NOTES (1)

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  • ALLUSIONS (1)

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    • Reid said he had a crush on Allison Lisbon in this episode. This line was possibly a reference to A.J. Cook's role as Mary Lisbon in the movie The Virgin Suicides (1999).

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