The members of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) on "Criminal Minds" seems to be caught in a precarious crossroad as Linda Barnes (Kim Rhodes) is determined to crack down — and pin down — one of their own, their embattled acting unit chief, Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster). Will the 15th episode of season 13 be a career-ending one for Prentiss?
In the middle of investigating a quadruple homicide involving roommates in St. Louis, Assistant Director Barnes joins the BAU on TV's surprise thriller, "Criminal Minds." As the episode trailer suggests, dynamics at the BAU are shaken up as Barnes orders the team to "run every decision by her, big and small...before you act."
This is partly because Barnes believes that the team has prioritized loyalty over the FBI process. Emily Prentiss might be held largely accountable for this, as Barnes will take every opportunity to climb the work ladder even higher while she strives to be unit director, all while Prentiss is on administrative leave.
While Prentiss is away, JJ Jareau (A.J. Cook) is expected to serve as acting unit chief, but with Barnes in the picture, JJ's reach and capacity to lead is limited. Due to this, speculation that Prentiss might quit BAU again is not far on the horizon. In fact, as seen in the trailer for the upcoming episode, Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) even speculates as to whether this is "the end" and concludes the preview on a rather chilling and foreboding note.
It seems, however, that not everyone has lost their faith in Prentiss, at least off camera. According to an interview by AssignmentX, Breen Frazier said that Brewster gives Prentiss both an authoritative quality as well as a mothering vibe. This confidence in Brewster's Prentiss might just be an indication that the character will either learn how to stand up on her own or break down as Barnes shakes the team down to its core.
"Criminal Minds" season 13 has been on a long hiatus since the latter part of January. Expect more of the friction between Barnes and the rest of the BAU upon the show's return on Wednesday, March 7, at 10 p.m. EST. on CBS.
