Criminal Minds (TV Series) L.D.S.K. (2005) User Reviews

A New Kind Of Profile

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 6 January 2007]

LDSK = Long Distance Serial Killers, another name for "Snipers." Whatever you call it, or the BAU of the FBI wants to call it, that is what they have to deal with next as a shooter has picked off three people in two weeks in a park in Des Plaines, Illinois. He then continues to shoot more victims, but he's not killing anyone, just wounding them in the abdomen. What gives?

The BAU team learns on the-job on this case since they really have no profile of this type of person. They find out it has to be someone familiar with police schedules and procedures, so the logical choice is a local cop.

The cops are told this in private, and not to let the information pass fr om the room, but one of them leaks it to the press. This guy really w ants publicity! However, finding exactly who it is, is not easy and leads to a somewhat surprising and very dramatic ending. One of things that happens is "Hotch" kicks and beats up his partner "Dr. Reid!"

The case of the Long Distance Serial Killer in one of the greatest episodes of 'Criminal Minds'

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 26 November 2016]

While there were a few underwhelming episodes, like "Blood Hungry", "The Popular Kids" and especially "Machismo" (also thought "Derailed" was uneven and could have been better), Season 1 was a mostly solid season and showed a personal favourite showing huge promise early on.

Most of the episodes in Season 1 are pretty good to outstanding. "L.D.S.K" for me has always been one of the top 5 best of the season (along with "The Fox", "Riding the Lightning", "Charm and Harm" and "The Fisher King Part 1", remember "Plain Sight" incredibly fondly too) and one of the show's greatest episodes. At the time, the concept of long distance serial killers (snipers) was a new idea for 'Criminal Minds' and is still one of the concepts least re-visited.

Immediately standing out was the quality of the storytelling and the character development. The story is gripping throughout and is riddled with tension and suspense, as well twists and turns that keep coming, so when you think you know the answer or have solved the case another you're shocked again. It is also one of few 'Criminal Minds' episodes to not reveal the identity of the unsub or show a shred of suspicion against him until late, making for one of the most pulse-pounding and nail-biting climaxes in 'Criminal Minds' history. Anybody who loves 'Criminal Minds' for the profiling, pathology and the psychological delving in the criminal's mind will not be disappointed at all, all of that's here and in sizable amount, integrated beautifully into the story.

As someone who has always loved Reid, who always has been one of the show's most interesting, endearing and most well-developed leading characters and one of the few reasons why Season 11 was still stuck with (Season 12 is still in early days but have yet to be wowed), "L.D.S.K" was a delight because it develops him and his gun qualification dilemma beautifully that one roots for him from the get go and doesn't stop until the last second. Loved his chemistry with the rest of the team, especially with Hotch (like a no-nonsense boss/loyal friend), Morgan (like a sympathetic and protective big brother) and with Gideon.

The writing is superb, especially in the closing scenes. It really delivers on the tension in the climax, with Hotch's story being so convincing that you are very close to believing him while still aware of what he's planning, while also on the humour ("you kick like a 9 year old girl") and emotion ("I'm proud of you").

Visually, "L.D.S.K" is gritty and stylish but also classy. The episode also contains some of the most effective and mood-enhancing music scores of the season, such as the James Blunt song at the end. The direction lets the action breathe but the momentum is kept alert too. The acting is excellent, especially from Matthew Gray Gubler, Thomas Gibson and Mandy Patinkin. Even Lola Glaudini's fine.

Overall, one of the greatest episodes of 'Criminal Minds'. 10/10 Bethany Cox

best criminal minds episode

[nliss01230 · 10/10 · 20 February 2011]

The great thing about this episode is that, unlike many others, it keeps you guessing. my heart was beating for practically the whole episode. When McCarty was in the trunk of the car, I just kept thinking to myself "no! get him! stop him!" then when he got shot, i had no idea what happened.

I had a good feeling the unsub was Dr. Landman the second he was introduced. When the BAU considered him a suspect, I started to get a little ticked off that they had made it way to obvious. I gave up on the episode for a little while. But when it turned out not to be him, I regained my faith. I'm glad I continued watching, because the end of the episode was amazing. The scene where Reid and Hotch were held hostage was so intense i don't think i blinked once. I knew they were going to make it out alive, but had absolutely no idea how. Hotch was completely believable when he was bashing Reid. So much so, I was worried for Reid. Hotch's plan was genius and he did amazing. And good for Reid for finally getting the "trigger press follow through" I could watch that scene over and over again without ever getting tired of it.

The episode was amazingly written, acted and put together. Also offered the Reid humor we all love. "you kick like a 9-year-old girl" 10 stars!

Amazing

[lottiemarshalllm · 10/10 · 29 July 2020]

Disclaimer:I am no expert reviewer, I just need a show to binge watch and I'm going to Write a review for every episode I watch.

As I am writing this I'm only about 11 episodes into the first season but I have to say that this episode has stuck by me for the last couple of days.

Not only is the writing and the plot incredible but so is the acting. In this episode the actors really were able to show off their intelligence as agents and as actors I specifically talking about Aaron hotch During the final scene in the emergency room.

I think everything ties together so neatly from the opening scene to the ending scene. I find a lot of unanswered questions in most of the episodes I've seen but in this episode everything seems to come together as it should.

It's been two days since I've watch the scene when the two agents are held hostage and I'm still thinking about how damn clever they are.

I've mentioned in my other reviews that I don't always love the red herrings that the team has to look at before they find a real killer but every single suspect in this episode was so good that I believed all of them were the sniper before the final one was revealed and it just made sense.

One of my favorite episodes of any show ever watched probably will end up being my favorite episode from the season if not one of the top ones from the series.

Also how incredible is the line "you kick like a nine-year-old girl."

A new type of killer

[TOT_EchoofGlory · 8 June 2020]

The tempo of this episode is good, and the case is very informative. There was a strange killer. His original purpose was not to kill people, but he became more and more crazy. Reid was braver.

The Whole Episode Is A Plot Hole

[nebohr · 20 November 2021]

There is a 4.4% chance that monkeyface Gideon will show a human emotion this episode.

Plot hole- the victims are being shot through their small intestines not their stomachs. Look up any human physiology text.

Plot hole- how does knowing when the police change shifts equate to having an intimate knowledge of law enforcement.

Having a target in crossfire substantially increases the chance of friendly fire casualties.

So: if someone has an entry wound in their forehead and an exit wound in the back of their head it doesn't take a rocket scientist to get a bearing on where the shot originated.

Plot hole- if people are being killed in an area would it not make sense to run all license plates in that area?

Reid you beast: "I was aiming for his leg".

Plot hole- so: just who is the LDSK? How can he be both in the park and the hospital at the same time?