Ep 1. The Inspiration

In season 9, episode 1 of Criminal Minds, titled "The Inspiration," the team deals with the aftermath of the death of one of their own, Agent Prentiss, and the departure of Agent Hotchner. The episode opens with the team attending a funeral for Prentiss, which sets the somber tone for the rest of the episode.

Shortly after the funeral, a new case presents itself: a series of murders in Arizona that bear a striking resemblance to the work of a serial killer the team previously caught, named The Replicator. The team quickly begins investigating the case, all while dealing with the emotional fallout of Prentiss' death and Hotchner's departure.

The team is also joined by a new member, Alex Blake, a professor and linguistics expert who is brought on to help with the case. At first, Blake's presence is met with skepticism by some of the team members, but she quickly proves herself by providing valuable insight into the killer's language patterns.

As the team delves deeper into the case, they begin to realize that this killer is not just copying the work of The Replicator, but is actually taking it to a new level. The Replicator's crimes were all committed in a specific location, but this new killer is targeting victims across multiple states.

The team races against the clock to try and predict where the killer will strike next, but they are constantly playing catch up as the killer seems to be always one step ahead of them. The tension builds as the team races to find the killer before he strikes again, all while dealing with their own personal struggles in the wake of Prentiss' death and Hotchner's departure.

Without giving away any spoilers, "The Inspiration" is a gripping episode that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The episode is masterfully written, with intricate plot twists and character development that will keep viewers guessing until the very end. As with all episodes of Criminal Minds, "The Inspiration" deals with dark subject matter, but it does so with sensitivity and nuance, making for a thought-provoking and emotionally impactful viewing experience.