"The Big Wheel" is the twenty-second episode of Season Four and the 87th overall of Criminal Minds.
Summary[]
When a serial killer sends a videotape of one of his crimes to the BAU, the team discovers a hidden message from the murderer begging for help in stopping him from killing.
Guest Cast[]
- Erika Alexander - Detective Lynne Henderson
- Rebecca Avery - Kim Rowlings
- Jon Barton - SWAT Leader
- Jake Cherry - Stanley Wolcott
- Terrence Edwards - Jay
- Neil Ironfield - Young Vincent Rowlings
- Giselle Jones - Alice Steadman
- Jill Klopp - Michelle Watson
- Martha Anne Madison - Kate Charlotte
- Alex O'Loughlin - Vincent Rowlings
- Jennifer Ilene Perry - Hilary Habner
- Quentin Prescott Price - Carl
- Kyle Templin - Eric
- David J. Wright - Sid Rowlings
- Rick A. Young - Fairground Worker
Music[]
- "Tears and Rain" by James Blunt
Bookend Quotes[]
- Aaron Hotchner: "In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present." - Francis Bacon
- Derek Morgan: "No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible." - George Chakiris
Trivia[]
- "Big wheel" is a term referring to an important or influential person. It can also be used as an alternate name for a Ferris wheel.
- The episode appears to be heavily inspired by the plotline of the 1960 film Peeping Tom A serial killer traumatized by his father kills women representative of the abuse, recording their dying expressions. He meets a woman he falls in love with, but she discovers his crimes, and the killer commits suicide when the police arrive.
- While on the BAU jet, Derek Morgan says "that's a new one" when talking about the unsub's cry for help. This is an inaccuracy, as multiple criminals had been shown asking law enforcement for help to stop killing in prior episodes of Criminal Minds, including a copycat of the Lipstick Killer from show's pilot.
- Neil Ironfield (who plays the unsub in his youth) previously starred as a mall child in the Season Three episode "Seven Seconds".