‘Criminal Minds’ season 10, episode 21 preview: A deeper look at ‘Mr. Scratch’

Tonight, be prepared for an especially creepy episode of “Criminal Minds.” This one is entitled “Mr. Scratch” for a reason, and the sneak peek below is probably going to do a pretty effective job at explaining why.

Basically, what we have here is the case of an UnSub who seems to be tapping into some sort of collective memory from childhood, and it is of a frightening figure of a clawed shadow monster. Given that multiple victims have professed to seeing this creature, there is obviously a connection that needs to be figured out here. Everyone has different fears when they are children, but is there a way that so many people would have the same recurring nightmare? It seems unlikely and that’s where our team comes in to see if there is something more to this ghost story.

Cast member Matthew Gray Gubler is directing this episode, which feels like the right person for the job. We feel ultimately like there are many different archetypes for a “Criminal Minds” episode: You have the case that tests the victims, the case that brings back an element from a main character’s past, the case that puts one of the main characters in danger, and the case that just freaks everyone out. This one seems to fall into the latter category, and we feel like this will probably be the last “scary” case in this vein for the season.

With that being said, there will be reasons for some characters to be scared coming up. Be prepared for the finale to specifically tap into some of the worst fears of Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Kate Callahan and the relationship she has with Meg.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VjUwrNfQmg