Criminal Minds Review: Bad Moon on the Rise (Season 13 Episode 12)

It seems zombies and pirates aren’t enough for this season. Now, we have werewolves as well. Let’s check in on Criminal Minds Season 13 Episode 12, “Bad Moon on the Rise.”

It’s beginning to feel a lot like…well, Halloween. Completely human motives haven’t been enough to satisfy The Powers That Be for most of the past month. Now we’re getting a man who attacks people as a werewolf under the light of the full moon.

True, in this case, it’s all the product of his imagination, but things are decidedly creative this year when it comes to plot. I suppose I do still like it better than Reid spending half a season in prison, but the apparent need for a 13-year old crime procedural to “shake things up” has never been that important to me.

I will say that, after two weeks of storylines that were only loosely tied together, this one feels easy to follow throughout. The unsub’s motives and past invoke sympathy without taking away from the horrific nature of his crimes, and the surrounding characters are well-developed.

Still, are these kinds of storylines absolutely necessary or even beneficial? Just what is the true point of having him put in fake teeth and growl like a dog? Can we really accept that he’s a product of his own grief and delusion when he plans his crimes and overdoses on several substances simultaneously (and at a time when he is in control of his own mind?)

The ending also makes me a bit uncomfortable. The squad grabs the killer’s ex-wife in what appears to be a manner of minutes, forcing her to talk about their murdered child to get him to spare anther teen’s life. This is the kind of thing that often backfires, and it’s fairly surprising that everyone makes it out alive, emotional tolls aside.

Speaking of uncomfortable, Luke has a new girlfriend, and I’m all kinds of nervous. The misunderstanding between them is kind of awkward, but she’s sweet, understands Luke’s work, and has the potential to be a great match for him.

In other words, she already reminds me of Hayley with Hotch and of Maeve with Reid. This show does not have a good track record for female love interests, and I’m already crossing my fingers she’ll stay alive if her storyline continues for more than a single episode.

Then again, the opening scenes feel like they’re dropping heavy hints about Garcia denying her true feelings for Luke, so maybe Lisa won’t stick around. Personally, I like Garcia and Luke as platonic friends. I feel the same way about her and Morgan. But romantic drama draws in viewers, so we’ll have to wait and see.

Despite my reservations about some of the more “interesting” plot choices, this is a solid episode. It can be considered filler, as only minor developments happen in any main character’s life, but it’s the kind of filler that has people coming back more than a decade on. It’s emotionally satisfying with an engaging level of tension.

If, however, I continue to have the song “Bad Moon on the Rise” stuck in my head for the remainder of the week, I’m holding the show’s creators entirely responsible.

What did you think of this episode of Criminal Minds? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Criminal Minds airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on CBS.

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