Criminal Minds season 14 episode 5 Recap and FAQ

Episode Summary

Three teenage girls, including Ally MacReady, venture into the woods to find the mythical "Tall Man." Ally, the only one found, claims they were attacked by the Tall Man. The FBI investigates, uncovering that Ally has schizophrenia. They suspect Bethany, one of the missing girls, as being involved. It's revealed Bethany orchestrated the events to cover up her relationship with an older man, using the Tall Man legend as a diversion. JJ faces personal demons linked to the case, connected to her sister's past and a similar necklace.

Full Episode S14E05 Recap

### Scene: In the Woods - A group of teenage girls, including Ally MacReady, are searching for the "Tall Man," a ghost, in the woods. - They chant to summon the Tall Man while expressing skepticism and fear about the ghost story. - Ally insists on staying in the woods despite objections from her friends. ### Scene: The MacReady Household - The next morning, Ally's family is having breakfast. - The conversation shifts to a new case in East Allegheny, involving two girls missing in the woods. ### Scene: FBI Headquarters - The FBI team discusses the case. The missing girls were looking for the Tall Man. - Survivor Ally MacReady claims the Tall Man abducted and harmed them. - The team speculates about the unsub (unknown subject) and his knowledge of the girls' plans. ### Scene: Ally's Hospital Room - Ally is in the hospital. A nurse tries to collect evidence from under her nails. - Ally panics, saying the Tall Man is coming. ### Scene: FBI Team Discussing Case - The team discusses inconsistencies in Ally's account and considers her schizophrenia. - They theorize about the unsub's identity and motives. ### Scene: MacReady Household and Woods Flashback - Ally recalls the night in the woods, describing how they were put to sleep and woke up in the Tall Man's domain. ### Scene: FBI Headquarters - The team learns the girls' phones were laced with fentanyl. - They suspect one of the girls, possibly Bethany or Chelsea, is involved in the scheme. ### Scene: High School Investigation - JJ and the team investigate at the high school, learning about Bethany's secret boyfriend and a mysterious gift. ### Scene: JJ's Reflections - JJ reflects on her sister Roslyn's death and her motivations for joining the FBI. ### Scene: Therapy Session with Ally - The team uses EMDR therapy on Ally to recover more memories. - Ally's description leads them to an abandoned train car. ### Scene: Train Car - Chelsea is found badly injured. Bethany is revealed as the mastermind. ### Scene: FBI Interrogation - JJ interrogates Ethan Howard, a former lover of her sister, who is implicated in the case. ### Scene: School's Electrical Room - The team finds and rescues Bethany, who was hiding in the school's electrical room. ### Scene: JJ's Homecoming - JJ returns home to her family, reflecting on the case and her past. Throughout the episode, themes of adolescent vulnerability, the impact of myths and urban legends, and the complexities of mental health are explored. The FBI team's investigative skills are contrasted with their personal histories and the emotional toll of the case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Tall Man in the story?

The Tall Man is a regional ghost story that the teenage girls, including Ally MacReady, were investigating in the woods.

What case is the FBI team investigating?

The FBI team is investigating the case of two missing girls in the woods of East Allegheny.

Who is Ally MacReady?

Ally MacReady is a survivor found in the woods, who claims to have been abducted by the Tall Man.

What is the significance of the girls' phones being laced with fentanyl?

The fentanyl on the girls' phones suggests that someone drugged them to abduct them, potentially one of the girls themselves.

Who are Bethany and Chelsea?

Bethany and Chelsea are the missing girls involved in the Tall Man investigation.

What is Ally MacReady's condition?

Ally MacReady has early-onset schizophrenia, which includes face blindness and visual processing problems.

What therapy is used on Ally in the episode?

The FBI team uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy on Ally.

What do the FBI team discover about Bethany?

They discover that Bethany orchestrated the events, including injuring Chelsea and herself, to stage an abduction.

Who is Ethan Howard in relation to the case?

Ethan Howard is a suspect interrogated by the FBI, initially thought to be involved in the case due to his past relationship with JJ's sister.

What role does JJ's sister's necklace play in the episode?

The necklace, given to JJ by her sister, becomes a crucial piece of evidence linking the unsub to previous victims.

What is the outcome for Chelsea?

Chelsea is found in a critical condition, having been stabbed by Bethany as part of the staged abduction.

How is Bethany found?

Bethany is found hiding in the electrical room of a school, revealing her as the mastermind behind the staged events.

What is JJ's personal connection to the case?

JJ's connection is through her deceased sister Roslyn, who had a relationship with a suspect and the same necklace involved in the case.

What does the team learn about the unsub's pattern?

The unsub targets vulnerable teenage girls, gifting them a necklace as a mark of his control.

How does the episode conclude for JJ?

JJ returns home, reflecting on her past, her sister's death, and how it influenced her career and life choices.

Criminal Minds season 14 episode 5

The Tall Man