"The Instincts" is the sixth episode of Season Four and the 71st overall of Criminal Minds.
Summary[]
When someone abducts a young boy in Las Vegas, Reid begins to have dreams that force him to recall forgotten memories from his childhood as he investigates the case.
Guest Cast[]
- Andrew Astor - Young Spencer Reid
- Jon Barton - SWAT Leader
- Sawyer Church - Michael Bridges
- Reed Diamond - Craig Bridges
- Bruce French - Doctor Norman
- Shashawnee Hall - Detective Ashby
- Melinda Page Hamilton - Claire Bates
- Cynthia Harmon - Waitress
- Brad Heller - Walter Davis
- Marty Lodge - Minister
- Jane Lynch - Diana Reid
- Kari Matchett - Amy Bridges
- Alan Mueting - FBI Agent
- Taylor Nichols - William Reid
- Greg Watanabe - Medical Examiner
- Justin T. Wren - Riley Jenkins
Music[]
- "Shelter From the Storm" by Bob Dylan
Bookend Quotes[]
- Aaron Hotchner: Amos Bronson Alcott said, "Who speaks to the instincts speaks to the deepest in mankind, and finds the readiest response."
- Spencer Reid: Bob Dylan once said, "I think the truly natural things are dreams, which nature can't touch with decay."
Trivia[]
- A baby appearing in Reid's dream at the beginning of the episode is a possible callback to the Season One episode "The Popular Kids", in which Reid professed to have nightmares about being unable to save a baby from a killer.