‘Criminal Minds’ season 12, episode 4 review: Spencer Reid gets news about his mom

Criminal MindsWe have had our first episode of “Criminal Minds” without Hotch on the team and it was weird to say the least. We love that Paget Brewster is back and we like Luke quite a bit, but there’s something a bit off with Hotch not being there. Part of it is that he’s been with the show forever, but it’s more so the fact that everyone knows that Thomas Gibson is no longer part of the show, and for some reason his departure is being stretched out and not addressed.

We started out tonight’s episode with some great news for Reid and seeing a happy Reid makes us all happy as he cheers and spins in his work chair. Reid’s mom got into an Alzheimer’s clinic and the results have been so favorable that they are suggesting it may be an actual cure! Unfortunately, he also got some bad news in the middle of the case… his mom has had an episode and was found wandering around town confused. The bad news just keeps on coming for Reid as he later learns that his mom didn’t end up getting into the clinic after all, so he tries another avenue. Will it work?

There is still not any movement on Hotch and his “special assignment”, but more then that it’s been a very strange dynamic without him as part of the team. We aren’t saying that the new team doesn’t work together well, because they do, but what this team is missing right now is a clear cut leader like Hotch. With him being on “special assignment” it makes sense that there would not be anyone stepping into the role at this time, however this group needs someone to run the group.

The case of the week gave us a another look at Luke and his love affair with dogs as the K9 unit was pulled in for help including Roxy. Is Luke ever going to find a woman to match his love for Roxy? We know one person that also loves Roxy and it’s Garcia! These two have finally found some common ground – even if he had to profile Garcia to make it happen. Episode grade: B

What did you think of tonight’s episode of “Criminal Minds” and will you continue watching going forward? Leave us a comment in the box below. If you want more news on “Criminal Minds” then head on over to the link here. (Photo: CBS)

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