Criminal Minds Season 14 Episode 3 Review: Rule 34

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Sometimes you just have to ask, "Was there a point here?"

It was body parts sent as bouquets on Criminal Minds Season 14 Episode 3.

Rossi found himself in the middle of this disgusting case of the week. It turned out that the unsub and his enabler were both big fans of his true-crime books.

The Benefits of Fame - Criminal Minds Season 14 Episode 3

Fortunately, he was able to use his fame to wrap up this case with one less murder.

From the beginning, it appears that David wasn't allowed to enjoy his success as an author.

Jason Gideon warned him that he would feed people's prurient interests with his books, and Rossi has never forgotten that.

And his team members weren't fully able to get him to see the good his books have done.

Related: Criminal Minds Season 14 Episode 2 Review: Starter Home

I think Gideon was wrong. It's better to shine a light in the dark than to keep the public at large in the dark.

Rossi's volumes should be seen as cautionary tales, that show how much must go wrong to create the monsters who the BAU hunts. They aren't how-to manuals.

This episode does raise the question if the same thing goes for the internet.

That's a place where people such as Rask can go to find those with like philosophies, where freaks can reinforce other freaks. 

Gruesome Packages - Criminal Minds

It's become a world of divisive rather than balanced discourse. Which is why it's not a simple a place to live in as it was once.

When studied through Rask's cracked lens, his actions make a kind of sense.

He punished those who let him down, his former friends and mentor, while he bestowed gifts, using the loosest possible definition, on those who had helped him.

Rask was once on the verge of being exceptional before his socially unacceptable proclivities dragged him down.

He saw these murders as a way of making a name for himself again.

Related: Watch Criminal Minds Online: Season 14 Episode 2

That's what this profiling gig is all about, right, getting inside the minds of the unsub, no matter how twisted they are.

It's sad to think that Galina's revolting website actually gave Rask a place where he felt that he belonged.

And, man, didn't she exploit that?

She gave him a place to do his dirty work, and in exchange, he gave her product for her website and planned to slice up her hated ex-husband.

That makes her even worse than her mentally deranged protege if that's possible.

Careful Inspection - Criminal Minds Season 14 Episode 3

Rask, the former prodigy, really did himself in.

By live streaming his former shrink's murder and leaving the heads of his first two victims, he gave the BAU the connection that they had lacked, enabling them to identify him way earlier than normal.

Rask's mother identified the women who had received the "gifts" from him and helped them established his next target, Galina's ex.

The legal papers from Galina and Byron's divorce helped them to determine Rask's hideout before he could dissect Byron.

That rescue was largely thanks to Rossi, who appealed to Rask's ego and hunger for fame to get him to surrender.

Related: Criminal Minds' Erica Messer Q & A

I'm worried about Garcia, the way she kept rewatching the snuff film looking for clues. She looked dead inside afterward.

It could be she's just inured to the gruesomeness after all these years. But she's a sensitive soul who has been through a lot recently, so perhaps there's a breakdown coming for her.

It's got to be more than a little discouraging watching these freakshows constantly coming out of the woodwork. Yes, they're making the world a better place, at least until next week.

It was enjoyable to visit Simmons' home, to get a peek inside one of the two "normal" families in the BAU, along with JJ's.

Trouble at Home - Criminal Minds

It was heartening to watch Matt and Kristy puzzle out why David fought with another boy at school.

Kristy blamed herself since she had been getting counseling to deal with the aftermath of being held hostage on Criminal Minds Season 13 Episode 19.

Related: Get CBS All Access via Amazon Channels for Hit Shows, Exclusive Originals & Live TV!

But no, it made a lot more sense that he was worried about his FBI agent father getting hurt in the field.

And when another boy pointed out how easy it would be to kill a cop by shooting him in the face, he reacted in defense of his father.

He knew just enough to be dangerous, and Matt did a good job trying to console him.

This is why getting a look inside the profilers' home lives is important, so we can understand how their jobs impact their loved ones.

To catch up on this young season, watch Criminal Minds online.

Is it possible to be sympathetic for Rask?

Did Matt handle things at home well?

Should Rossi be concerned about his books?

Comment below.

Rule 34 Review

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Dale McGarrigle is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.

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Criminal Minds Season 14 Episode 3 Quotes

"The charm of fame is so great that we like every object to which it is attached, even death." -- Blaise Pascal

Rossi

Simmons: Will it matter if I tell you it's not your fault?
Kristy: Of course it matters, love of my life.