Criminal Minds Season 11 Episode 6 Review: Pariahville
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The profile was wrong!
The BAU may have established an erroneous profile before, but if they have, it doesn't come up in recent memory. Usually they're so good at what they do they can tell if you're lying when you say what you've had for breakfast.
The setting for Criminal Minds Season 11 Episode 6 was a little town called Glenport Village. That was significant because of its one unique characteristic: it mostly housed ex-convicts who were non-violent sex offenders.
The village seems to be a mirror of an actual real life place called Miracle Village, Florida. Like the fictional Glenport Village, Miracle Village also houses non-violent sex offenders, and was set up by a minister.
The story began with the murder of a woman who was dressed as a cheerleader, post-mortem. The setting was important because the first natural suspects would have been the town's many inhabitants.
The killer knew this, which is why he chose that locale. He knew the police and BAU would spend a lot of time spinning their wheels interviewing and investigating the multiple possible unsubs unique to that place.
The BAU initially profiled the unsub as an older man. He turned out to be much younger, and he knew some of the high school girls, including one that he murdered. And when the sheriff's daughter snuck out to go to a party, the unsub got his hands on her. Fortunately, she kept her head straight, and did her best to play along with him until the police arrived.
it was neat to see the police work done by Tara Lewis. She knew to keep Matt Franks talking so that he wouldn't kill the girl. And when he moved just a fraction away from her, she shot him dead.
That's unusual with this series. The BAU typically talks a long time with the unsubs of the show, even when they're armed and threatening and aren't holding anyone hostage. I have found myself shouting at the TV set "just shoot him already! You've got the target, and he isn't backing down!" But no, they just keep gabbing away until the unsub falls asleep from boredom.
This time Tara stepped up and followed what I imagine is correct police protocol.
Speaking of Tara Lewis: it looks as though she isn't going away, although we will see her less in the coming episodes. She has a job coordinating the reviews of every serial criminal in federal prison, but will still consult with the BAU from time to time. That's a good thing. I was hoping we wouldn't lose her, as she has meshed well with the team in the short time she's been with them.
Plus, it's Aisha Tyler – who wouldn't want her to stay on the show? She's a perfect fit.
The unsub was a little confusing. Given the fact he had murdered two women before grabbing Riley, you would have thought that his thing was absolute power, preferably over unwilling participants. So his behavior toward Riley when she pretended to go along with him didn't seem consistent. Suddenly he became a young guy with overactive hormones.
Speaking of Riley, it's always great when the writers paint the women in the show not as helpless victims but as strong people who have a plan to take care of themselves. Though she didn't succeed, Riley acquitted herself well. Maybe next time she'll listen to Dad and just stay home and do homework.
This was a thoughtful episode, and well written.
Final thoughts:
- JJ is back next week! She's now off maternity leave and is ready to go.
- Rossi's daughter is back too. It looks to be an exciting episode.
- The cool song at the beginning was "This World" by Selah Sue.
- As always, you can see this episode again when you watch Criminal Minds online.
Now it's your turn! What are your thoughts on this unusual episode? Let us know in the comments below!
Douglas Wolfe was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. He retired in 2016. Follow him on Twitter
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