The Itch
Directed by Larry Teng
Written by Breen Frazier
An UnSub's drug-induced itches make him hallucinate that insects are literally crawling under his skin, and he kidnaps people and tries to get them to treat his imaginary condition.Written by Breen Frazier
Hotch: "What's the matter, you dissentious rogues, that rubbing the poor itch of your opinion make yourselves scabs?" William Shakespeare.
Tropes in this episode
- Conspiracy Theorist: The UnSub is unwilling to believe that his incessant itchiness is psychological in nature, and is convinced that the US government is intentionally infesting people like him with insects. His girlfriend ends up echoing these beliefs after his arrest.
- Freudian Excuse: Lisa Randall's Morgellons syndrome began after she lost her daughter at 3 years old due to a premature birth. Confronting this truth is implied to help her with her condition.
- Functional Addict: The first victim, apparently. He was a prestigious, well-respected journalist who was addicted to heroin.
- Hallucinations: The UnSub believes there are bugs in his body.
- Spiders Are Scary: One of the victims has a huge fear of spiders.
- JJ: "Getting rid of a delusion makes us wiser than getting hold of a truth." Ludwig Borne.
