Ep 7. The Performer

In Criminal Minds Season 5 Episode 7 "The Performer," the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) team is called in to investigate a series of murders in Tampa, Florida. The unsub (unknown subject) is targeting young women who have recently auditioned for a local theater company, and the killer appears to have a penchant for the arts.

The team immediately begins their investigation, starting with the most recent victim, a young actress named Lara. They discover that she was a talented performer, and had been on the brink of achieving her dreams before she was brutally murdered. The BAU quickly realizes that the killer is likely someone who was involved in the same theater company, and is using the auditions as a way to find his victims.

As the team delves deeper into the case, they uncover a disturbing connection between the murders and a local theater critic named Franklin Graney. Graney had been harshly critical of the theater company's recent production, and had made enemies among the cast and crew. When the team interviews him, they discover that he had been receiving threatening letters from someone who claimed to be a disgruntled theater-goer. The letters accused him of being biased in his reviews, and warned him to stop "slandering" the company.

The team eventually discovers that the killer is none other than the theater company's director, a man named Patrick Brooks. Brooks had been obsessed with Lara, and had become jealous of the attention she was receiving from the company's male lead, an actor named Eric. When Lara rejected his advances, Brooks flew into a rage and murdered her. He then went on to target other young women who he believed were standing in the way of his artistic vision.

The team manages to track Brooks down just as he's about to kill his next victim, and they engage in a tense standoff. Brooks, feeling betrayed by the theater company and society at large, begs the team to let him go so he can continue his "art." However, the BAU is able to talk him down and apprehend him before he can cause any more harm.

Throughout the episode, the team is shown struggling to balance their intense work with their personal lives. JJ is dealing with the aftermath of her secret mission, which has left her estranged from her husband. Meanwhile, Hotch is dealing with the recent loss of his wife and is struggling to connect with his son.

Overall, "The Performer" is a gripping episode that showcases the BAU team's ability to solve even the most twisted and complex cases. It also explores the toll that their work takes on them, both emotionally and psychologically. Fans of the series will be captivated by the episode's intricate storyline and shocking conclusion.