Ep 23. Our Darkest Hour

Without violating any confidentiality, Criminal Minds season 5 episode 23, titled Our Darkest Hour, is a gripping and pulse-pounding episode that confirms why the show is one of the best procedural crime series on TV. The team of FBI profilers are forced to confront their most challenging, horrifying and traumatizing case yet when a group of religious zealots launch armed attacks on schools and other public places across a small town.

The episode opens with a somber and eerie voiceover narration by Special Agent Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) that sets the tone for the entire episode. The tension builds up slowly and methodically as the team start piecing together the clues of the attacks and realizes the severity and magnitude of the situation. The religious cult, calling themselves the "Believers," claims that the attacks serve a higher purpose and that their victims are "sinners" who need to repent.

The bleak and dark tone of the episode is compounded by the fact that it takes place during the Christmas season, and the attacks occur in a town that had previously been known as being safe and peaceful. Against this backdrop, the team members are faced with their own personal challenges and drama, while still trying to solve the case. Morgan's (Shemar Moore) sister is in town, Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) is struggling with his emotions regarding his mother's worsening dementia, and Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster) faces a moral dilemma.

The script is expertly written to keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the episode. The exchanges and interaction between the team members, victims and perpetrators are carefully thought out and designed to grip the audience and keep them invested in the story. The pacing is perfect, slow and measured at times, but with sudden bursts of violence and action that add to the tension and suspense.

The team makes progress after finding a possible suspect, but the case quickly flips on its head, as they discover that things are not as they seem. With time running out, they must piece together the cryptic messages left by the "Believers" before more atrocities are committed. In the end, the episode concludes with a heart-wrenching scene that will leave viewers reeling long after the credits roll.

Overall, Criminal Minds season 5 episode 23, titled Our Darkest Hour, is a brilliantly crafted episode of the show. It embodies the essence of what makes the series great; the characterization, pacing, writing, and direction all come together to create a gripping and thrilling experience that is impossible not to get engrossed into. The episode is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers, and it is yet another testament to the phenomenal talent behind the show.