Review Of Criminal Minds Episode 8.12 “Zugzwang”

Last night, CBS repeated the infamous Criminal Minds ”Zugzang” episode. Now that we know The Replicator is the one that contacted Reid, based on the “Carbon Copy” episode, how does that change how we view this episode? Here is MatthewGrayGublerFan member Jasmine’s take on “Zugzwang”.

My heart still bleeds from last night’s repeat performance of “Zugzwang”. To me last night’s episode is still by far one of my most favourite episodes of the 8th season of “Criminal Minds”.

Not only do we get one of our real contacts of the replicator to one of the members of the BAU, but we get locked into a heart wrenching story of Dr. Spencer Reid’s race to save the woman who stole his heart.

Performances by Michelle Trachtenberg, Beth Riesgraf and Criminal Minds’ very own Matthew Gray Gubler were phenomenal throughtout the whole episode.

The episode started off in a dream sequence of Spencer getting married to Maeve, only to realise his bride was faceless. This causes him to call Maeve on another day from his usual schedule, which results in him getting a call from the replicator, warning him with the message “Zugzwang” which meant he was about to be checkmated.

The story continued with Spencer finally revealing to the rest of the BAU his secret 10 month correspondence with Maeve, whom he’s never met before and now worried that he never will. There was a great display of family in this moment, showing how the team wanted to help and support Reid even on their off time.

Gubler did a great performance throughout the episode, showing there was another side to Reid despite his genius ramblings. Pitiful worried looks, anger and swearing, unable to concentrate and focus were shown to represent how Reid as a true worried lover, something almost completely new to Reid’s character.

Meanwhile, Diane Turner (Trachtenburg), who has Maeve Donovan (Riesgraf) hostage, continues to search for answers on how to take all of Maeve’s happiness away, because of a proposal paper that was refused by Maeve. She also takes her ex boyfriend hostage, and ends up killing him. Diane soon realises that she must have Reid to herself to be able to finally win and for Maeve to lose.

The BAU team closes in on the unsub and her whereabouts when Reid goes through his memories with Agent Blake (Jeanne Triplehorn). I loved the visual display of this scene, where “Maeve” which is really Spencer’s memory, is sitting next to Reid as he remembers his phone conversations with her. By doing this visually, the audience was able to see them for the first time as a couple, which warmed my heart and made me cheer for Reid.

Eventually the team finds out about the unsub and Reid proposes a deal to Diane to switch himself for Maeve. This part will always break my heart. Diane manipulates Reid by trying to seduce him. She gives him a “gift” of a blindfold, thinking that Maeve was attracting the sexual side of Reid, but honestly was just trying to give Reid a good memory from a bad and embarassing high school memory of a blindfold.

He puts on the blindfold and is brought in front of Maeve for the very first time. Reid tries but fails to convince Diane of his love for her when she kisses him in front of Maeve, causing her to be angry. She shoots Reid in the arm and the rest of the team barges in. Despite Reid’s pleas to keep Maeve alive and to take the bargain, Diane shoots herself when Maeve announces that her and Reid have something that even Diane can’t take from them; and in turn kills Maeve when the bullet pierces both their heads.

The ending performance was heart breaking. Gubler’s love filled eyes for Maeve and crying were so realistic that my heart tore to pieces for this poor young genius. The faces of the BAU matched slightly to Reid’s, causing more heartbreak. To me, it felt like even the actors performing this part were also crying inside for Reid’s major loss.

To me Maeve was a perfect match to Spencer. I do not know how he will be able to make it in the future episodes. but I do know that some of his fans are angry and heartbroken, and are still mourning the loss of Maeve.

Jasmine *lintusflower*