Criminal minds Recently completed his 18th season after spending Paramount + streaming service in season 17, being relaunched less than three years after his initial conclusion. Although fans have not been impressed by the last episode of the long-standing procedural drama, the rapid restart of the beloved series highlights the impact he has on an audience. There is a lot to love in the show, including adorable characters and intense plots, but the most attractive aspect is the realistic representation of criminals and their operation.

There are a few episodes outside the competition of Criminal minds That most fans consider the best global, but there are also underestimated payments that deserve much more praise. One of these episodes took place in the first season, which has moved away from the general structure of the show, but added an extraordinary perspective not often explored. This payment is a very well rated and appreciated Criminal minds Episode, but he does not obtain the recognition he deserves as one of the rare masterpieces of the series.

“Riding the Lightning” is one of the unforgettable episodes of Criminal Minds

In “Riding the Lightning”, season 1, episode 14 of Criminal mindsThe Bau team goes to a prison in Florida to interview the serial killer couple, Sarah Jean (Jeannetta Arnette) and Jacob Dawes (Michael Massee), who were found guilty of having killed 13 women and their son, Riley. In this episode, instead of chasing a dangerous criminal or killer, the team is determined to determine if there are more victims of Jacob before the pair was executed in two days. However, the story takes an unexpected turn, becoming one of the Criminal spiritS of the most disturbing episodes despite the lack of high intensity prosecution scenes or the typical intrigue of Whodunit.

The representation of Jacob Dawes by Massee is a haunting representation of serial killers sexually motivated, successfully clarifying the public that this horrible predator has not only remorse for his actions, but takes great joy to commit his odious acts and is entertained by mocking the FBI with the possibility of having more zero victims. Even more disturbing is the crowd of stakes outside the prison, in particular the group which is called “the women of Jacob”, who have a strange love and a worship for the serial killer. On the other hand, Sarah Jean seems to be the opposite of her husband, showing immense remorse for her role in the murders and accepting her death penalty with humility.

Jacob Dawes turns out to be an exasperating interview subject, lying on several occasions to Hotchner and making false claims to ensure that he and Sarah Jean are executed the same day. On the other hand, Sarah Jean is a difficult person to interview because he assumes the responsibility of the murders in which she has not played an active role, claiming that her inability to arrest Jacob makes her as guilty as the murderer. However, Gideon refuses to let the State execute Sarah Jean if it is not guilty of a crime, to turn the team to investigate the death of Riley Dawes and to determine if his mother really murdered his son at the request of his father.

The episode overthrew the expectations of viewers

Image via CBS Studios

Criminal minds is known for its representation of serial killers, concentrating almost all episodes on a new case which focuses on another complex scenario of death and depravity. The show is rented for this aspect and respected as one of the most entertaining series which focuses on these disturbing but realistic bad guys. “Riding the Lightning” follows the formula of the series in this sense, focusing the episode on a scary serial killer, but leaving the typical intrigue design by stretching the Bau team interacting with this criminal long after committing the crimes.

While some viewers could expect this episode to spend more time exploring the previous murders of Jacob Dawes and his disinterest in giving more information on unknown victims, the intrigue had a surprising touch that focused on Sarah Jean much more than her murderous spouse. After questioning the woman about her involvement in Jacob’s crimes, Gideon not only becomes convinced that she is not a killer, but realizes that Sarah Jean probably did not kill her son, Riley, but rather convinced Jacob, she did it to protect the child of her father and the reputation of her parents. In this way, the scenario subverts expectations by concentrating the majority of the action on the team trying to understand what happened in Riley and proves that Sarah Jean is not a murderer before being executed.

Instead of describing an investigation to discover a killer, who is the typical scenario of most Criminal minds Episodes, “Riding the Lightning” presents the bau trying to prove that someone is not a killer. This always successfully captures the intensity of the series, but gives the public the additional advantage of the rooting for someone’s innocence rather than hoping that a criminal is captured. This is a complex scenario, leaving a sweet-bitter impression when Sarah Jean finally convinced the team to let her son live in peace, even if it means that they cannot stop his execution.

Image via CBS Studios

Criminal minds is full of bad guys who show no remorse for their actions, which is also as Jacob Dawes is represented, but Sarah Jean is a fascinating inclusion in the dark and often heartbreaking series. By exploring the mentality and actions of the spouse of a serial killer, “extinguishing lightning” highlights an aspect of these cases which is not often paid a lot of attention. Center Sarah Jean as someone who deserves sympathy, but with his own reservations about his innocence according to his involvement with a murderer gives viewers an overview of how serial killers influence other people outside their victims.

This unique episode of procedural drama gives the public a lot to think about these realistic scenarios and how the public reacts to these crimes. The most subtle but important aspect of this sequence is when the team discusses the crowd outside the prison, some of which praise Jacob, but many others who call Sarah Jean the “Queen of Ice” because of her apparently stoic nature during her previous trial. Although the public knows very little about Sarah Jean or his participation in murders, the media have designed this fictitious representation of his character who makes people believe that she is as guilty as Jacob.

“Riding the Lightning”, as referred to in the title of the episode, also explores the nuances and the controversy of the death penalty, giving the public two representations of the detainees of the death corridor. While viewers have little sympathy for Jacob’s sentence, recognizing how depraved and violent man is, the true horror of this sentence is the execution of Sarah Jean. Although she takes responsibility for her role as Jacob’s wife, knowing that she was not responsible for the death of anyone, but has always ended up, is a tragedy, which makes viewers examine the controversy of the death penalty.

This underlines why criminal spirits are so impactful

Image via CBS

Many has changed in Criminal minds Since its broadcast in 2005, but the show has experienced some consistent tropes throughout its long execution time, including the exploration of serial killers and how they are profiled by investigators. The program also has a significant emphasis on how the study of these criminals can have an impact on the mental health of professionals, stressing how the situation does not have to personally affect investigators so that they take something to heart. This is particularly true to “set up lightning”, in which the public sees Gideon to take the case of Sarah Jean if personally because he does not want an innocent person to be held responsible for someone’s crimes.

There are many dramatized aspects of the procedural show, but viewers can also count on the fictitious story to explore the most complicated aspects of human nature. Episodes like this are not simply entertaining, but offer a fascinating overview of the criminal justice system and how investigations can last long after the capture of the aggressor and will no longer constitute a threat to society. It also deals with some of the most uncomfortable scenarios of crimes, such as the way someone can be responsible for being involved in a crime even if it was not the one who actively caused damage.

After eighteen seasons, Criminal minds is known for its intense and full -action episodes that keep the public on the verge of their seats while waiting for the exciting final. However, the gem of the dramatic series are unique episodes like this one, which are not always as exciting but offer a deeper dive in the realistic aspects of serial killers and their influence. These payments, even those at the start of the series, should not be overlooked as one of the most exceptional stories of the procedure.

Criminal minds

Release date

September 22, 2005

Showrunner

Erica Messer

Directors

Félix understands Alcalen, Robb Bailey, Gray Roye, Joe Manategna, John Manete, Hallowagh, Broel Aarnioski, Gy Cry Bee, Larson McCormick, OC S. Car S. Cales S. Car S. SM. Rob Hardy, Tawnia McKieran, Bethany Rooney, Rovio, Raju, Gubson Gezon, Gubson, Aisha, Tyler, Anna Phapers, Gloria Muzio, John.

Writers

Bruce Zimmerman, Virgil Williams, Edward Allen Bernero, Janine Sherman Barrois, Chris Mundy, Simon Mirren, Debra J. Fisher, Kimberly A. Harrison, Jay Beattie, Dan Dworkin, Karen Maser Harold, Alicia Kirk, Jeff Davis, Randy Huggins, Edward Napier, Jayne A. Archer, Chikodili Agwuna

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  Kirsten Vangsness

  Penelope Garcia

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  Matthew Gray Gubler

  Dr Spencer Reid