Ep 5. Episode 5

The episode starts off with a meeting between Holden Ford, Bill Tench, and Wendy Carr where they discuss the progress of their research on criminal behavior. They discuss the interviews they have conducted with the likes of Ed Kemper and Jerry Brudos, and how these have helped them form a better understanding of the criminal mind.

Their next focus is on a series of kidnappings and murders in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The victims are all young boys and the killer is still at large. Agent Smith from the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit joins the team to help them with the case.

Holden and Bill travel to Altoona to investigate the case. They meet with the local police chief who is unhelpful and resistant to their assistance. They enlist the help of a retired officer who worked on a similar case in another city which had similarities to this case. He tells them about a book the kidnapper may have been using for inspiration called “The Collector."

The team realizes that the killer is likely someone who was born and raised in Altoona and knows the area very well. They start looking for suspects who fit this profile and come across a man named Benjamin Barnwright who has a history of molestation. They bring him in for questioning but he denies any involvement in the murders.

Meanwhile, Wendy Carr is in Boston attending a conference on serial killers. She meets with a professor who introduces her to the theory that certain criminal behavior may be genetic and inherited.

Back in Altoona, Holden and Bill interview a young man named Adrian, who they suspect may be the killer’s next victim. Adrian is evasive and reluctant to talk, but as they dig deeper, they realize that he may have valuable information about the kidnapper’s identity.

The team makes a breakthrough when they realize that the kidnapper is actually a married couple, with the wife being the dominant and abusive partner. They put together a profile based on their findings and present it to the police chief. The police finally concede that their help is needed and agree to work together.

In the final scenes, the team captures the kidnappers and rescues Adrian, who is unharmed. However, the episode ends with Wendy Carr reflecting on the implications of the genetic theory she learned about, leaving the audience with a cliffhanger and anticipation for the next episode.

Overall, Episode 5 of MINDHUNTER is a riveting and intense installment of the series, exploring fascinating theories and themes regarding the criminal mind, and showcasing the team’s intricate profiling skills in action. Fans of true crime and psychological thrillers will be hooked.