Ep 22. Open Season

In Criminal Minds season 2 episode 22, titled "Open Season," the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is called to investigate a series of brutal attacks on hunters in the remote wilderness of Montana. The victims are being shot and killed with high-powered rifles while in their tree stands, and the local authorities are struggling to catch the perpetrator.

As the team begins to delve into the case, they discover that the unsub (unknown subject) has a personal vendetta against hunters and is targeting them specifically. The BAU profiles the unsub as a skilled marksman who likely has military or law enforcement experience. They also determine that he is likely suffering from PTSD and has a history of being mistreated or bullied.

Meanwhile, tensions are running high within the team as Hotch struggles with guilt over his recent separation from his wife and the toll it's taking on his son. Rossi also confides in Morgan about a personal secret from his past that is weighing heavily on him.

As the case heats up, the BAU is forced to work closely with the local sheriff's department, led by Sheriff Hankel (played by guest star and Criminal Minds executive producer Ed Bernero). But when the sheriff's own daughter becomes the next target of the unsub, tensions boil over and the team is forced to take action to stop the killer before he strikes again.

With intense action scenes, complex character development, and a gripping storyline that keeps viewers on the edge of their seat, "Open Season" is a standout episode from Criminal Minds' second season. The expertly crafted mystery and psychological depth of the unsub make for a compelling narrative that showcases the series' talent for weaving together suspenseful crime drama with nuanced character arcs.