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Episode Summary

A case involving a serial killer believed to be copying Jack the Ripper takes Gideon to New Orleans after three victims are found with their throats cut. Once thought to have been killed in Hurricane Katrina, the discovery of a fourth victim in the French Quarter confirms the murderer is still alive. All the evidence and files had been lost in the flood, so the only clue the team has is the word "Jones" that the lead detective wrote on the wall just before he drowned. Meanwhile, Reid meets up with an old rival as he continues to struggle with the aftermath of being held hostage.moreless
9.1
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Superb
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  • Review

    9.2
    "Superb"
    A little more action in this episode then there have been in the last couple of episodes leading into this one. Loved the taking the idea of Jack the Ripper and the way that the team was able to deduce that the person was female. Sometimes in episodes you feel cheated when the BAU makes a profile and it turns out to be wrong. Feels like they hit the restart button 20 minutes into the episode and makes it seem like nothing was worth it. This time didn't feel that way - with the initial profile pointing towards a man and then having it end up being a female in the end. Reid continues to struggle with events that happened four episodes ago and I love to see writers of a standalone series make sure to bring back important plot points to make this feel like a real timeline. The scene between Reid and his friend weren't very exciting, but it was interesting to see Reid ignore a phone call from his team members. Prentiss hasn't left an amazing impression on me since joining the team. I think Elle was far better in the role. Prentiss doesn't do anything to make me dislike her character, but she just seems so random to me. Overall, solid episode from the second season of Criminal Minds.moreless

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    5 2
  • Jackie the Ripper and Reid in trouble

    9.1
    "Superb"
    That was interesting case - I really loved the connections between the Jack the Ripper case and the murders happening now. Also that they brought in the son of detective who worked on the case before the storm.. and the little twist they had to use - it was female behind that all.

    If you thought the case story was not moving or well written enough, then there was the case of Reid who finally admits he is in trouble. And the friend he has who said that if he thinks his colleagues won't notice that he has changed.. then he is far from genius..

    Who knows what happen next.. And I most say I loved the chemistry between JJ and that detective.. something positive in all those bad things.moreless

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    3 2
  • As if the poor people of New Orleans had not already suffered enough after Hurricane Katrina, they now have a serial killer on their hands who is attempting to emulate the most notorious of them all - Jack The Ripper.moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    New Orleans is being terrorised by a serial killer in the French Quarter, one of the very few parts of the city not to be destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Before the storm, three men had been murdered and the lead detective on the case, William LaMontagne was hot on the trail of the unsub when he died during the hurricans. Just before his death, he scratched the word 'Jones' on the wall with a piece of broken glass and now, some 18 months after these events, his son, Will Jnr., also a police officer is desperate to close the case which his father was so obsessed by.

    When more victims are found and the same MO is established, Will calls in the BAU for assistance as a killer whom he thought had died in Katrina is clearly still out there. The unsub is also clearly a fan of the never apprehended Jack the Ripper who stalked the streets of Whitechapel in London in 1888 as the signtaure of this modern-day ripper includes the taunting notes, organ removal and even the 'double-event' when two men are killed on the same day, just as Jack the Ripper did.

    When reviewing statements from relatives and friends of the victim, Gideon and the team soon realise that all the dead men were out together for specific reasons and that it would have taken something rather special to lure them away from their friends - perhaps something as special as a beautiful woman? Add to that the fact that Will remembers that a newly-named bar in The Quarter was once called 'Jones' and the team realise they are indeed looking for a woman who frequents this establishment.

    A truly excellent episode with great profiling and attention to detail. An obvious romance between JJ and young Will LaMontagne is being forshadowed which would possibly disappoint Gideon as we saw in the first season that he would have liked Reid and JJ to become an item. Speaking of Reid, his recent horrors suffered at the hands of Tobias Hankle are clearly more of an issue than ever as he is not performing his work anywhere near to standard and doesn't seem to care about anything other than his next 'fix'. Let us hope that an intervention occurs very soon before it's too late for the young doctor.moreless

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    2 2
  • I would definitely place this in the top five episoes of the season so far. The interesting and unsolved case of Jack the Ripper takes as surprising juxtaposition in this fabulaous episode!moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    This was a brilliant episode of Criminal Minds. The devastation of New Orleads in Hurricane Katrina was showcased at the beginning, and the events that transpired set up a very interesting case for the team to investigate!

    I really loved this episode, because it completely reverted the notorious case of Jack the Ripper in London, over 100 years ago, giving it a twist, which was very surprising to learn!

    I loved every moment of the episode - from Reid's continued struggles after the episode 'Revelations', to the flirting between JJ and Willianm LaMontagne Jr., those were very entertaining!

    I also really thought the case was flawless! It had many twists and turns, and the end was not predictable, which is alsways a positive!

    Keep it going, Criminal Minds! I am thoroughly expressed with delight, and I think this show continues to impress and is becoming absolutely solid! Keep it up, and I highly recommend this show and this episode!moreless

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    1 2
  • Still good the second time around.

    9.8
    "Superb"
    Six things about this episode I really like:

    1) Josh Stewart as the lead detective. I hope to see him continue to get roles. Fine acting job and adorable flirting with J.J.

    2) Morgan totally catching onto Reid's lie. I enjoy the relationships of the main characters on this show, and how intricate they are.

    3) The Jack-the Ripper scenario. One day, a real serial killer will do that, and do just as good a job.

    4) The Hurricane Katrina stuff, from the opening sequence to the evidence being lost. A lot of shows delt with things we didn't consider being lost in the storm, we were so focused on people and homes. Evidence, case files. They are gone. So much damage, I'm glad it was pointed out here.

    5) Garcia's earrings. 'Nuff said.

    6) The final scene with Gideon and Reid. My favorite relationship is their's. Reid is estranged from his father and Gideon from his son. But without being gushy, they have formed a sweet, father-son, mentoring type bond that I really love. Hats off to two fine actors. From this point on, Reid begins to really heal and there are far less refrences to his kidnapping. That is good, though I hope they haven't closed the book on his recovery and problem with the drugs for good.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • When Will LaMontagne, Sr. is talking to his son, he calls him "Billy." And when the team meets him, he introduces himself as Bill. However, in all future appearances, he is called "Will." Edit
    • This episode marked the first appearance of Detective William LaMontagne, Jr., who was written in later as the father of Agent "JJ" Jareau's baby (Henry) when the actor herself (A.J. Cook) became pregnant in real life. Edit
  • Notes

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    • When this episode originally aired, CBS used it to promote an online contest to win free tickets to the movie Zodiac, which is based on the real-life Zodiac killer. The Zodiac and Jack The Ripper cases are somewhat similar; both killers wrote taunting letters to the police and both cases remain unsolved. Edit
  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES
    • Morgan: Are you gonna tell me why you missed that flight to Galveston?
      Reid: I already told you, there was no cell reception.
      Morgan: Right.
      Reid: What?
      Morgan: Reid, any time you want to come up with a better answer, I'm standing right here.

      Edit
    • Det. LaMontagne: (to JJ) How will I ever survive a woman like you going so far away? Edit
    • JJ: You are the best ever.
      Garcia: Aw, and you're the most perceptive.

      Edit
  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS
    • Morgan: The Sante Kimes model – cold, calculated, preys on men for money. Sante Kimes, the other woman serial killer mentioned in the episode, killed for monetary gain rather than revenge. She and her son were convicted of murdering Irene Silverman in 2000. They were also presumed responsible for three previous deaths. Edit
    • The brief rape scene in this episode in similar to the one in the 1988 movie The Accused. The victim in the movie was Jodie Foster. In both scenes, the assault takes place in a crowded bar, the assailants are cheered on during the assault, and the victim is blamed for provoking her rapists by being intoxicated and behaving in a flirtatious manner. Jodie Foster won an Oscar for her performance in The Accused. Edit
    • Garcia: (answering the phone) O Captain, my Captain. "O Captain!, My Captain!" is a Walt Whitman poem written in homage to Abraham Lincoln after his assassination. This poem is in his constantly revised and famous book "Leaves of Grass." Non-literary types will recognize it as the title students used to address Robin Williams' character, John Keating, in the film Dead Poets Society. Edit
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