Ep 1. Wheels Up

Wheels Up Season 13, Episode 1

The team at the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is back in action for another season, and they're starting things off with a bang. This episode picks up where season 12 left off, with Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster) being named the new BAU chief after Aaron Hotchner's (Thomas Gibson) departure.

The episode opens with Emily overseeing the team's preparation for a new case. They receive a call from their colleague Matt Simmons (Daniel Henney), who's in Mexico working on a case of his own. The team quickly learns that Simmons' case is linked to theirs, and they head to Mexico to help him out.

In Mexico, the team is tasked with finding a missing DEA agent, Rosa Medina (Gina Rodriguez), who vanished while undercover in a drug cartel. The investigation leads them on a dangerous mission through the cartel's territory, where they must use their profiling skills to determine who's responsible for Medina's abduction.

Throughout the episode, the team comes across a number of suspects and red herrings, making it difficult to determine who's responsible. Meanwhile, tensions rise as Simmons struggles to balance his role as a dad to his young children and his commitment to the BAU.

The episode's title, "Wheels Up," refers to the team's preparation and departure for the case. It's a quick reminder that the team needs to be ready to go at a moment's notice, no matter where in the world they're needed.

As always, the show does an excellent job of balancing intense, action-packed scenes with quieter moments that allow for character development. We see Emily settling into her new role as chief and grappling with the pressure that comes with it. We also see Simmons navigate his personal life, which adds an emotional depth to the episode.

Overall, "Wheels Up" is a great start to the season. It sets up the season's main conflict -- Emily's new position as chief and how it will affect the team -- while still maintaining the show's signature blend of action and character development. Fans of the show will surely be excited to see where the season takes the BAU team next.