An unusual episode of "Criminal Minds," the plot line ranged from the female victim who hung on for three days in the ocean to JJ's acceptance of Strauss's transfer of her to the Pentagon and away from the unit.
The theme is profound. It's overcoming adversity through unique kinds of personal strength. The female victim was an accomplished swimmer. JJ once quoted C.S. Lewis who observed that experience is a brutal teacher but we learn, but do we learn. Her sister had committed suicide years ago. JJ had learned how to survive and thrive despite what is.
The fascinating part was how Hotchner attempted to fight the transfer and then positioned his failure to do so. JJ wanted to stay with the unit. Twice she had turned down promotions to the Pentagon. This time Strauss won't let her.
Hotchner observes, "Brass are great at taking away power." Strauss has more power than Hotchner and it is so much a part of who she is that she makes using it the way she wants seem a righteous mission. After Hotchner's wife was murdered by the Boston Reaper, she got busy pushing him into an early retirement. Fortunately, Hotchner, although in bad shape. had the strength to resist. Eventually he returned to work.
The unit accepts this power move. Garcia cries. Spencer's lower lip quivers. Hotchner goes even deeper into gravitas than usual. But they will somewhat emotionally and operationally fill in the hole left by JJ's departure. One senses that they will eventually be positioned to do Strauss in. Maybe she will break one of her precious rules in a way that causes irreversible damage.
Next week's story line is about a serial killer who is demented. That will call for special skills by the unit to predict who his next victim will be and where that will likely be staged.
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