The series follows the Behavior Analysis Unit of the FBI, differing from other crime dramas since it primarily focuses on the criminal instead of the crime. The team members, including Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson), Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore), Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler), Jennifer Jareau (A.J. Cook), Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), Penelope Garcia (Kristen Vangsness) and David Rossi (Joe Mantegna), delve into the minds of the most gruesome criminals in order to catch them. 

The season premiere opens up with a recap of last season’s finale, a darker and more sinister episode than most, which left Derek Morgan in the midst of a psychopath’s murderous spree. The premiere finds him struggling emotionally with the unfinished case, making it a personal vendetta to capture the criminal and the little girl he’s taken with him. The final scenes give Morgan the opportunity to reconcile the conflicts of the episode as well as his own demons affecting his relationship with the investigation. 

The most appealing—and shaking—aspect of this premiere was the show’s ability to humanize the criminal in the most chilling way. Besides the recap, the show begins with a seemingly idyllic scene of a young boy and his mother in a field with beautiful trees. Later on, we find out that this image is completely idealized by the young boy—the future criminal. The tranquil scene is darkened and torn apart, the tree falling to the ground; this distortion is done in the most artistic, fascinating and visually alluring way. In reality, his mother was a prostitute who made him watch her interactions with her clients and allowed them to touch him as well. 

What convinces Billy (giving the murderer a name further humanizes him) to let the girl go in the end is JJ’s sympathetic speech as a temporary hostage negotiator. She compassionately tells him that mothers are supposed to make everything okay and erase pain, not be the cause of it. She tells him that just because his life was incredibly unfair, he cannot inflict the same pain on other people, especially since he knows how it feels more than anyone. This compelling speech brings tears to his eyes, and in the final confrontation with Morgan, we see more tears fall down his face. 

Unfortunately, A.J. Cook, who consistently gives moving and riveting performances as JJ, will not be returning this season. She will appear once more on episode two to close out her story line. Though this is a depressing fact for true “Criminal Minds” fans, the premiere proves that the show will have another terrific year despite her departure. 

According to TV Guide’s interview with Thomas Gibson, this season will focus more on the personal lives of the character, which will add a compelling aspect to the already engaging show. Each character will reveal a secret, some of them troubling, others simple. The audience can already easily connect to the characters, so adding more personal elements—including a more detailed relationship between widow Hotchner and his son Jack—will just continue to drag in audiences. 

Interested in more “Criminal Minds?" “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior,” the series spin-off, will be premiering midseason. Kristen Vangsness, who plays Penelope Garcia, will also be a series regular.

Reach Deputy Entertainment Editor Nicole Shoohed here.