The BAU investigates a series of what look to be ritualistic murders in Arizona. In separate incidents, two men have been found dead, their bodies stuffed in a coffin-like box, their hair dyed black, and several of their joints dislocated. Each died from hanging, although the autopsies show that they were each hung several times. Connie Foster, the girlfriend of one of young adult male victims, is also missing and is assumed abducted by the unsub, who they believe is holding her and trying to find the perfect match for her in whatever context, hence the reason for the two deaths, as those victims weren't the right match. When a third male victim is discovered, they believe their religious ritual theory is strengthened since that third victim had, in addition, holes in his hands, like he had been crucified; but, when a father and son go missing, Reid comes up with an alternate theory that the unsub may be putting on a specific kind of show, those he is holding captive his puppets in that show. Meanwhile, Reid and his telephone girlfriend decide to meet, about which he is apprehensive. His apprehension is balanced by concern over her fear that she is being stalked.
—Huggo