One of my favourites from Season 1 that's for sure. Was not expecting it to work so well with the unsub's identity being known from the beginning, when so much of the appeal of 'Criminal Minds' is figuring it out eventually with the profiling.
However, unlike a lot of the latter season episodes (especially Season 11's), this decision actually works really well. The profiling is really interesting here as is the pathology and delving into the criminal's mind (which basically is what the show is all about, something that Seasons 1-5 understood and Season 11 especially missed the point of).
The unsub is also one of the creepiest and most formidable of the season, not quite as much as Karl Arnold who is in a class of himself when it comes to Season 1 unsubs, but this one is definitely memorable. Not everybody where a 'Criminal Minds' unsub is that much of a master of disguises. Another part of 'Criminal Minds' appeal is the chemistry in the team and their little moments. "Charm and Harm" does a wonderful job with that too, Reid and Gideon work surprisingly well together for two so very different but both intuitive personalities and Garcia's double entendres induce a few good giggles without feeling out of place.
"Charm and Harm's" story is incredibly tense and suspenseful. Not just the unsub himself but also the almost frightening scenes between him and his latest victim and the team rushing constantly to get one step ahead of him which really makes one bite their nails. Stylishly made, tautly directed, deliberately but also never dully paced (allowing the palpable suspense to increasingly mount up) paced and hauntingly scored, "Charm and Harm" as ever is a well made episode.
Plus a brilliantly written episode too, where everything feels relevant and nothing feels padded or like filler. Who also cannot help loving Reid's hilarious talking about corn kernels. All the acting is terrific, and it was great to see Robert Pine again.
All in all, phenomenal and one of the season's best. 10/10 Bethany Cox