Ep 14. All That Remains

When a young girl disappears from a shopping mall during a family vacation, the BAU is called in to investigate. In "All That Remains," the fourteenth episode of Criminal Minds' eighth season, the team arrives in Colorado to gather information on the case and provide support to the devastated family.

The girl, 10-year-old Sarah, is the only child of a couple who are struggling to hold on to their marriage. When Sarah goes missing, her parents are initially suspected, but a lack of evidence clears them of any involvement. The team begins to investigate other potential suspects, including a security guard who was on duty at the mall during Sarah's disappearance and a man who has a history of abducting and harming young girls.

As the team delves deeper into the case, they discover that Sarah was not the first young girl to disappear from the mall. Another girl went missing a year prior, and her body was never found. The BAU begins to draw connections between the two cases, believing that the same perpetrator may be responsible for both.

As the investigation continues, the team uncovers a web of lies and deception, leading them to a suspect who seems to have covered their tracks extremely well. With time running out, the BAU must act quickly to rescue Sarah and bring the perpetrator to justice before another young girl meets the same fate.

Throughout the episode, the team is forced to confront their own struggles and demons. Hotchner must navigate his new role as a single father in the aftermath of his ex-wife's death, while Dr. Reid finds himself struggling with memories of a past case. Meanwhile, Garcia's feelings for Morgan continue to grow, causing her to question whether she should reveal her true feelings.

"All That Remains" is a tense and emotionally charged episode that highlights the devastating impact of child abductions. The team's determination to find Sarah and bring her home safe is palpable, while the suspect's twisted motives add an extra layer of tension to the narrative. Ultimately, the episode serves as a reminder of the important work done by law enforcement in protecting the most vulnerable members of society.