Ep 19. House on Fire

The fourth season of Criminal Minds has been a treat for fans of the hit crime procedural show and its 19th episode, titled "House on Fire," is one of the most gripping yet. In this episode, Agent David Rossi (Joe Mantegna) finds himself taking a personal interest in a case involving one of the oldest unsolved crimes in Washington D.C. history.

The team is called in to investigate when a wealthy Virginia family's son goes missing from a party held at their home. What starts out as a routine missing person case takes a dark turn as the team uncovers a web of family secrets, lies, and betrayals. The family patriarch, Gabriel Merza (David Clennon), is evasive and uncooperative, and the team realizes that there is a lot more about the family that they don't know.

As the team digs deeper, they discover that the Merza family's wealth and influence extends beyond their suburban mansion, and that the case may involve a larger conspiracy. They also uncover a long-forgotten tragedy that happened in the same house many years ago, and start to wonder if there is a link between the two.

Rossi is especially intrigued by the case, as he realizes that he had investigated the earlier tragedy when he was a young detective back in the 1970s. He becomes determined to solve both cases, even if it means confronting his own demons and past mistakes. His obsession with the case, however, puts a strain on his relationships with his colleagues, particularly with Agent Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), who feels that he's not being objective.

As the team races against time to find the missing boy and uncover the truth, they must also deal with personal issues that threaten to tear them apart. Agent Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) struggles with his feelings for technical analyst Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness), while Agent Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) deals with the aftermath of his mother's passing.

The episode is full of suspense and twists, as the team unravels the mystery behind the missing boy and the Merza family's dark secrets. The tension is heightened when the house catches fire, putting the team's investigative skills and physical abilities to the test. The stakes are high, as the team knows that every second counts in finding the missing boy and escaping the blazing inferno.

Overall, "House on Fire" is a standout episode in the series, deftly blending character development, suspenseful storytelling, and procedural elements to create a captivating hour of television. The performances by the cast, particularly by Mantegna in his nuanced portrayal of Rossi, are top-notch, and the writing is taut and engaging. Fans of the show and the crime genre in general will not be disappointed by this thrilling episode.