The Best Criminal Minds Episode From Season 8 According To IMDb

The "Criminal Minds" episode in question is also one of the series' saddest. And the bruising emotional impact of "Zugzwang" is no doubt a big part of why fans of the show have given it an impressive 8.6 rating on IMDb. For the record, nearly 2,900 "Criminal Minds" fans voiced their opinion on the episode. As more than half bestowed "Zugzwang" with a perfect 10, that 8.6 rating is more than legit.

If you've seen "Zugzwang," you know that love is well-earned, too. Not surprisingly, the episode is largely centered around "Criminal Minds" fan-favorite Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthey Gray Gubler), who seemingly found a worthy romantic partner in Dr. Maeve Donavan (Beth Riesgraf) early in Season 8. That duo soon began a, shall we say, complicated relationship. Their coupling took a troubling turn in "Zugzwang," however, when Dr. Donavan's long-time stalker Diane Turner (Michelle Trachtenberg) kidnapped her.

Thus began one of the darkest chapters in the saga of Reid as he and his BAU allies raced to save the life of his would-be love. In a devastating turn of events, they are not successful as Diane ends up killing herself and Maeve with Reid watching helplessly. Meave's death was one of the more shocking in the history of "Criminal Minds." It's one that Reid never really got over, as well. And its visceral impact on his "Criminal Minds" narrative is likely why "Zugzwang" remains Season 8's highest-rated episode.   

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