Ep 3. Taboo

In Criminal Minds season 12 episode 3, titled "Taboo," the BAU team investigates a series of murders in rural Virginia. The murders seem to be random at first, but the team soon realizes that they are connected to a religious group called "The Church of the Divine Redeemer." The group practices a form of worship that involves rituals with snakes and other dangerous animals, which leads the team to suspect that the killer may be a member of the group.

As the team delves deeper into the case, they discover that the Church's leader, a charismatic man named Pastor Mills, has been grooming a young boy named Lucas to take over the group when he dies. Lucas has been subjected to a strict upbringing and has been conditioned to believe that the Church's practices are normal. The team realizes that Lucas has been brainwashed and that he may be responsible for the murders.

Meanwhile, Agent Luke Alvez, who joined the team in the previous season, struggles to fit in with his new colleagues. He feels like an outsider and has trouble connecting with them, especially Agent Emily Prentiss, who is the team leader. Alvez's emotional struggles become a side plot to the main investigation, showing the difficulties of joining a tight-knit group like the BAU.

The team's investigation takes a dangerous turn when they confront the Church's members and discover that Lucas is indeed the killer. The episode builds up to a tense confrontation between the team and the Church members, which ends in a dramatic shootout. In the end, the team successfully arrests Lucas and Pastor Mills, and they are able to put a stop to the Church's dangerous practices.

"Taboo" is a classic Criminal Minds episode that focuses on the psychological and religious aspects of a killer's motivation. The episode's themes of brainwashing and cult-like behavior are explored in depth, and the BAU team's investigation is portrayed as a race against time to stop the killer before he strikes again. The episode also highlights the personal struggles of its characters, with Alvez's integration into the team providing an interesting subplot that adds depth to the story.

In conclusion, "Taboo" is a great addition to the Criminal Minds series, offering a suspenseful and intriguing case with strong character development. Fans of the show will appreciate the classic elements that make this episode so memorable.