S17.E02: Contagion

[Snazzy Daisy]

Synopsis:

  Quote

The BAU investigates a series of killings with the same M.O. they saw with the strike team deaths. The team tries to link the victims to determine if they are dealing with the same killer. Rebecca joins Lewis and Tyler Green on a stakeout.

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Air Date: Jun 06, 2024

 

[rtms77]

Idk about anyone else but it seems very plausible that Voit still has his network up and somehow is communicating the side deaths to his cult followers who are killing victims in almost the same manner thus making the BAU into pretzels and distracting them from the real killer. 

[Snazzy Daisy]

“Injure, fear, jean, dot, Z, Y, Q.”

Injure, fear, jean = Jennifer Jareau

JenniferJareau.ZYQ - could this be a link in the dark web?

Is “social contagion” the new buzzword for S17? Voit uses it to scare the FBI Director into making a deal and also to intimidate JJ.

Since Gold Star is a conspiracy theorist (according to Voit) whose conspiracy is seen as the real threat, will he be like Alex Jones or some sort? 😣

Tyler hiding information about Sebastian Gasper from Tara and Rebecca is shady. Is he planning to go rogue again?

After 2 episodes, there’s nothing new about Elias Voit. All he does is continuously taunting the BAU team. It’s getting on my nerves. Why is the BAU spending so much time on this character when they aren’t even sure on the credibility of his intel.

S17 intentionally drags the stories of Voit and Tyler. I don’t understand the appeal to bring Tyler back. He isn’t a compelling character. Does BAU really need him as a consultant? Why can’t the focus be more on Tara, Luke and JJ?

 

[Chaos Theory]

I mean yeah alit of things have changed since the original criminal minds but times have changed as well.  I think that is the point.  I actually liked the original concept of “what were psychopaths and serial killers doing during Covid.”     This season seems to be hitting the “we are all prone to conspiracy theories”    We saw hints of it with Prentis so the idea that a smart serial killer could poke and prod the gang with conspiracy theories is an interesting one.

 

What is more dangerous a serial killer or someone who has gone waaaaay down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole.  It is an interesting idea.

 

if I have my story straight.

Edited June 10, 2024 by Chaos Theory

[callie lee 29]

I'm actually kind of digging the conspiracy route which I'm a little shocked by (normally I find the whole idea asinine and completely irritating) but it was also the first time the show had my actual attention the past two episodes. 

[millennium]

In the interim between last season and this, the BAU personnel were apparently all shipped off to junior high where they learned to curse and smoke.   IMO, it diminishes the show rather than makes it seem more authentic (which I assume they are aiming for).   In one scene the agents are calmly quoting learned scholars or poets, the next they're saying "fuck," "shit," and implying "bitch."

The Voit-in-Dave's-head gimmick is really tired.  If imaginary Voit is so real that Dave is talking to him out loud, Dave should be on anti-psychotic medication.

Edited June 10, 2024 by millennium

[millennium]

Kind of a cliffhanger there, with Voit whispering in Luke's ear.   What could Voit have said to make him so enraged?

"Callie Duquesne deserved better than Eric Delko."

[mythoughtis]

Why does the team seem so incompetent this season?  Why do they need Tyler? Why do they need to even think about talking to Elias? Why do Prentiss and Rossi argue in front of people? Can they not function without Reid? 

Edited June 11, 2024 by mythoughtis

[Annber03]

I rather like this conspiracy theory angle, too. It's certianly a timely one, and the idea of serial killers taking advantage of it is intriguing and adds to the creepiness of everything going on. 

I also liked JJ's conversation with Elias, though I do agree that it is weird that the team keeps looking to other people to help them with this case. Nothing wrong with getitng outside perspectivesi n and of itself, mind, and given the personal stresses Emily and Rossi in particular are under right now, I can see why they might want a clearer, unbiased perspective from someoe outside the group. But still, yes, they are smart people and have managed to solve cases even with all the other personal issues they've been through before, so...

Really curious what Elias said to Luke to make him react as he did. I thought I heard snippets of it, but even then I'm still not entirely sure what was said.