[s1e2] Compulsion Instant

The second episode of Criminal Minds , titled "," originally aired on September 28, 2005. It takes the team to a college campus in Tempe, Arizona, to track down a serial arsonist who has escalated to murder. The Case: Arson on Campus

"Compulsion" also deals with the psychological aftermath of the pilot episode for : [S1E2] Compulsion

: The breakthrough comes when Dr. Spencer Reid identifies a ritualistic behavior. He recalls a science lab assistant, Clara Hayes , who displayed obsessive-compulsive traits, specifically counting in threes. The second episode of Criminal Minds , titled

: Clara is revealed as a delusional serial arsonist who believes the number three has protective or spiritual significance. Her "compulsion" drove her to ensure everything occurred in sets of three, leading to the intentional deaths of those she believed "unbalanced" her rituals. Character Development Spencer Reid identifies a ritualistic behavior

The BAU is called in after a series of fires at a local university result in the death of a student named Matthew. Initial evidence is scarce because fire often destroys physical clues, forcing the team to rely heavily on psychological profiling to find the "unsub" (unknown subject).

The episode follows the show's signature style of beginning and ending with philosophical quotes: "Compulsion" - Season 1, Episode 2 - Criminal Twats