A psychopathic killer involves the team in his own fantasy game; he defies them to unscramble clues and riddles in order to rescue his next victim. Gideon and Hotchner both receive mysterious items while on their vacations. They reconvene with the rest of the team at BAU offices in order to gather all connecting clues in an effort to attempt to solve the case. The Team release a press statement and go on television which makes the killer angry and go after Elle.