‘Criminal Minds’ season 9, episode 6 review: The witching hour, and a Halloween horror

“Criminal Minds” managed to celebrate both Halloween and the Day of the Dead at the same time on Wednesday night’s episode, and in turn, we had one of the better hours of the season that was accessible but also deeply disturbing. At the same time, it also managed to introduce us to more of the characters’ lives and their past to the rest of the season.

Ancestry was a theme for the hour, which is why this week ended with a toast to the dead as the entire BAU team chose to honor those in their past with a party at Garcia’s in celebration of her own Latin heritage. It was a different way to look at death, and it gave some weight to it almost in a Robert Frost – “Design” sort of way in which symbols can often be reversed. Typically, it is the tragedy of death that is affecting; but on a show that deals with tragedy every week, suddenly a lighter take on the subject is subtle and moving.

The case itself was beyond creepy, mostly because it involved a guy who was literally burning people at the stake. If this were not Halloween, we would probably sit here and complain that this is one of those exploitative stories used for just shock value, and it may still be. We generally prefer “Criminal Minds” when the characters that the BAU tracks down are not so over-the-top and dramatic as this was, but since the holiday is in full swing right now, and the killer was brought in at the end, we’ll allow it.

We at least give “Criminal Minds” credit now for a few straight weeks of solid cases, and this comes after a shaky start to the season. We liked the ensemble feel of this one, and it was much more of a viewing treat than a trick from CBS to get our hopes up, only to snatch them away at the last second. Grade: B+.

What did you think about this episode, and was it scary enough for you on this Halloween? Be sure to share below, and click here to read some more news related to the show.

Photo: CBS