This was an excellent episode and exposes the dangers of covering up a child's past run-ins with the law. The father (who was also the sheriff) thought he was doing his son a favor by covering up his past crimes, at the same time, he had an abusive relationship with his son. Parents do their children no good when they let them get away with bad behavior, at the same time they can be the most likely to have an abusive relationship with that child. I was surprised that the sheriff wasn't arrested for interfering with the BAU investigation. I think that's illegal? The audience is tipped off to the fact that the sheriff is of the school of thought that dictates, "we don't need any interference from government agencies." His attitude toward the victims is another indicator that he sees no reason for the BAU to be in his town in the first place. The women are exotic dancers, they are probably prostitutes as well, therefore why should anyone, much less he and the BAU care about their murders. It was interesting how Prentiss and Reid were able to figure out how the women were chosen for abduction, but the best part of the episode was the end when the father realized his son had to be held accountable, and finally Hotch telling him to be there for his son. It took a heinous crime for the father to step up and be a father, not cover up, but BE THERE. The resolution was probably the first time the father was a real father instead of a relentless disciplinarian. It's too bad it took the murder of three women for that to come about, but I suppose better late than never, let the healing begin.
Review of Middle Man
