Riding the Lightning

Season 1, Episode 14, Aired
EDIT

Episode Summary

After interviewing a married couple sitting on death row at Florida State Penitentiary for serial murder, Gideon suspects the woman is actually innocent. Since she's set to be executed in two days; however, it's a race against time to prove it.
8.9
out of 10
EPISODE RATING: Great
501 votes
  • Your Rating: 10
    "Perfect"
  • Your Rating: 9.5
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 9
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 8.5
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 8
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 7.5
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 7
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 6.5
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 6
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 5.5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 4.5
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 4
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 3.5
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 3
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 2.5
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 2
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 1.5
    "Abysmal"
  • Your Rating: 1
    "Abysmal"
Rate It

Watch Online

Amazon
Buy
iTunes
Buy
VUDU
Buy/Rent

Cast & Crew

See All EDIT

Fan Episode Reviews (41)

See All

  • It is very compelling to find an episode that talks about a mother's love - how she's willing to sacrifice her life just to give her son a good future.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By carlmeg, Nov 02, 2011 Report Abuse
    one of the most moving episodes of the season...

    I find it very fascinating that this episode is able to portray that not all convicts are guilty. Strange enough, Sarah Jean, the unfortunate wife who was said to take part in assaulting and mutilating teenage girls, willingly let herself be convicted of the crime she didn't commit. She admitted to killing her son in order to protect him. I initially thought that she was protecting her son against her serial killer huband, only to find out near the end that her motivation is deeper; she wants to give her son a new life, away from the complications of being known as the son of a serial killer couple. Jason Gideon showed tears as he was watching the son perform. Touching, his demeanor almost looked maternal. Nice to see him personally affected by the case...moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    5 1

  • Possibly one of the best episodes of any TV show.

    10
    "Perfect"
    By WaterSinger, Nov 02, 2011 Report Abuse
    I will readily admit, the fact that Gideon lets Sarah Jean die is probably incredibly unrealistic. Other concerns raised about inaccuracy, however, seem to be based as much on guesswork as to how things "should" be as anything else. The BAU are interviewing the husband and wife because that is one of their side projects, as is mentioned in many episodes both prior and after this one. Sarah Jean was charged with "Accessory to Murder" for at least some of her husband's victims as well as with the murder of her son. And as for whether a mother would actually sacrifice herself for her child... well, I actually feel sorry for the reviewers who felt that it was completely unrealistic.

    As I mentioned, Gideon letting Sarah Jean die seemed to me to be the biggest flaw in accuracy for this episode. That being said, it was absolutely necessary for the story to have its full emotional impact. The scene where they lower the hood on Sarah Jean has made me cry every time I watch this episode. It made my boyfriend cry. I don't actually know anyone who didn't cry. And that scene is just the climax, not the only effective scene. The entire story is well-woven throughout the episode and I think you'd have to actively be trying to resist it to not be pulled in by it. The acting is beautifully done both by the guest stars and the regular cast. Overall, a fantastic episode.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    4 1

  • One of the best episodes of the first season of the show as we see the team travel to the Florida State Penitentiary to interview a serial killer couple for VICAP who are about to be executed in the electric chair for the murder of thirteen girls.moreless

    9.5
    "Superb"
    By Lady_Lancaster, Nov 02, 2011 Report Abuse
    Jacob and Sarah Jean Dawes are just thirty-six hours away from execution for the murder of thirteen young, blonde women. Gideon and the team have been invited by the killer couple to interview them and it will be the first time that a husband and wife serial killing team have been evaluated for VICAP.

    Jacob Dawes is cocky, self-assured and clearly enjoying all the attention but Sarah Jean is gentle, quiet and withdrawn. Gideon believes that there are several more victims whose bodies have not been located and the BAU not only want information about that but also they want to know why the girls were abducted, tortured and murdered in Jacob's workshop at the back of their house.

    When talking with Sarah Jean, (who confessed only to the murder of her two-year-old son, Riley) Gideon is convinced that she is innocent of involvement in the killing of the young women, particularly after a letter recently written to her mother suggests exactly that. As the conversation continues, and after viewing Sarah Jean's paintings, Gideon is certain that Riley Dawes is alive and, if that is indeed the case, then Sarah Jean really is innocent of murder and the BAU race desperately ahead to try and halt her execution. But will they find the evidence in time to save her from Old Sparky?

    If you want to see a superbly acted and extreme well written episode of television crime drama then you can't go past this so check it out and enjoy.moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    4 1

  • Wow!... Just wow!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By cheysm1, Nov 02, 2011 Report Abuse
    This was probably the best, yet most depressing, episode of any television show I have ever watched. It was so amazing from beginning to end. The mother is a true mommy. She is giving up her life so her son can have a good future. I almost cried. The only reason I didn't is because I was watching with my mom and I don't like to cry in front of others. At the end of the episode both my mom and I were so stunned that we just sat there silently for a moment. Then I said, "Oh my gosh. That was so depressing." Neither of us could believe the ending. Amazing!moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    2 1

  • Without doubt, this is the best episode of Criminal Minds that I have seen. I was so touched and on the verge of tears at the end. Phenomenal episode!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By amazing_race, Nov 02, 2011 Report Abuse
    I am very much speechless and stunned by this episode, which was something so special and unique. The episode was very sad, and the end was really what you call the ultimate sacrifice. What a mother will do for her child - it is just incredible, and very touching.

    I am awestruck by this episode. It ywas so sad and the nd was quite upsetting, but at the same time, it was ridiculously high quality television. Simply marvellous!

    The acting was spectacular on all fronts, both by the guest cast and the main cast. Simply phenomenal!

    Keep it up, Criminal Minds! If this is the type of episode we will see every week, then this show cannot be beaten! I am thoroughly impressed!moreless

    DO YOU AGREE?

    4 1
 

Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

See All

  • Trivia

    ADD TRIVIA
    • Jacob has a tattoo on his right arm – a heart with Sarah Jean's name. Beneath it are the words: "Til Death Do Us Part." Edit
    • This episode reveals that Gideon's son, Steven, is 25. Edit

  • Notes

    ADD NOTES
    • With this episode, Kirsten Vangsness receives an "Also Starring" credit rather than the "Guest Starring" credit in previous episodes. Edit
    • The music playing during the first and last scenes was "Cello Suite No. 1, Prelude" composed by J.S. Bach. Edit

  • Quotes

    ADD QUOTES

    • Hotchner: How many others are there?
      Jacob Dawes: I only have a few hours left and, though I like you – and I do like you – I'd like to be alone now. (offering his hand for a shake) Good meeting you, Hotch.
      Hotchner: (ignoring his hand) I'm not done yet.
      Jacob Dawes: Oh, me neither.

      Edit

    • Hotchner: Are there more bodies?
      Jacob Dawes: If I told you that, what would I have left for myself?
      Hotchner: You could help these families get closure before you die.
      Jacob Dawes: Oh. Pass.

      Edit

    • Gideon: I think you're innocent.
      Sarah Jean Dawes: We're all guilty of something.

      Edit

  • Allusions

    ADD ALLUSIONS

    • Hotchner: Aces and eights. Two pair. (lays down his cards)
      Jacob Dawes: Dead Man's Hand.

      The current accepted Dead Man's Hand consists of two black aces, two black eights, and the jack of diamonds or spades. It is called such because Wild Bill Hickok was purportedly holding those cards when he was shot in the back of the head during a poker game, although there are several "official" versions of the hand. The shooting took place at Nuttall & Mann's No. 10 saloon in Deadwood, South Dakota, on August 2, 1876. Hotch's hand, however, appears not to be any of the contested versions of the Dead Man's Hand: eight of diamonds, eight of clubs, ace of hearts, ace of clubs, and the ace of diamonds.

      Edit
    • Morgan: Well, she doesn't talk now, she's gonna take that story with her to "Old Sparky." The electric chair in this episode is called "Old Sparky." This was the name officially given to the electric chair in at least seven states: Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, Ohio, Texas and West Virginia. Florida's chair was said to have been built from an old gallows; in its latter years it was notorious for setting its victims on fire. "Old Sparky" is sometimes also used to refer to electric chairs in general and not any specific one. Edit
    • The title of this episode "Riding the Lightning" refers to an execution by the electric chair. The condemned would be summarily electrocuted in the chair, hence he or she would "ride" the electric current. Edit

Show Forums

See All
Last Activity
Replies

Watch Criminal Minds Full Episodes

See All

Related Shows

  • Lie To Me

    Available Episodes: 48

    Source: FOX

  • NCIS

    Available Episodes: 200

    Source: CBS

  • Numb3rs

    Available Episodes: 118

    Source: CBS

  • Bones

    Available Episodes: 135

    Source: FOX

  • Psych

    Available Episodes: 88

    Source: USA

Season 1 Episodes

See All
Ep 22
The Fisher King (1)
Ep 21
Secrets and Lies
Ep 20
Charm and Harm
Ep 19
Machismo
Ep 18
Somebody's Watching
Ep 17
A Real Rain
Ep 16
The Tribe
Ep 15
Unfinished Business
Ep 14
Riding the Lightning
Ep 13
Poison
Ep 12
What Fresh Hell?
Ep 11
Blood Hungry
Ep 10
The Popular Kids
Ep 9
Natural Born Killer
Ep 8
Derailed
Ep 7
The Fox
Ep 6
L.D.S.K.
Ep 5
Broken Mirror
Ep 4
Plain Sight
Ep 3
Won't Get Fooled Again
Ep 2
Compulsion
Ep 1
Extreme Aggressor

Contributors

Become a contributor
More
Less

TV Listings

Full Listings
BROWSE | Shows | Videos | News | Listings | Forums | People | Photos | TV.com Blog

CBS Entertainment | About TV.com | About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2012 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Ad Choice | Terms of Use