‘Criminal Minds’ season 11, episode 21 preview: Frances Fisher returns in ‘Devil’s Backbone’

Wednesday night’s new episode of “Criminal Minds” did in many ways kick off the post-Shemar Moore era if you really think about it. Sure, there was an episode in between with “A Beautiful Disaster” and tonight’s “Inner Beauty” in “Tribute,” but we like to think that helped to stop the metaphorical bleeding by bringing Paget Brewster back.

Now, we’re in an era that really is the great unknown, and for the most part, there could be some superficial uncertainty about what makes next week’s “Devil’s Backbone” interesting beyond the appearance of Frances Fisher (“Titanic,” “Resurrection”) in a prominent guest role. She is someone who is being connected to Gideon, which is mostly nice from the standpoint of the show not forgetting about him even though the character is gone.

The synopsis below gives you a few more details when it comes to what you can expect to see:.

“When guards at a Virginia prison intercept a package with evidence relating to the kidnapping of two boys several years ago, the BAU questions a notorious serial killer who may have information on the boys’ whereabouts.”

While we don’t want to give anything away just yet, let’s just say that this episode is going to be far more interesting than you would first expect, as this story will continue into the 11th season finale airing on Wednesday, May 4. Fisher will also appear in that episode, which could set the stage for the upcoming 12th season. It’s a shame that there’s a week off between episode 21 and then the big finale, but sometimes that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

If you do want to get some more news when it comes to “Criminal Minds” right now, including a review for Wednesday night’s new episode, be sure to head over to the link here right now! Also, sign up over here to secure some other TV news on almost everything we cover, sent right over to you via our official CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: CBS.)