S9 E3 Final Shot
I know this episode has been discussed on here a few times and people who were confused got their answers. I wasn’t confused about the twist, I had a hunch that it might be him all along but I was wondering how they were gonna execute that storyline. The BAU explained that hitmen are able to stay alert and focused on the target for over 72h because they are literally trained to imagine a complex scenario with said target as a focal point. It was a great way to introduce the twist. So everything we’ve been seeing of Maya and Colin was part of his imagination. Cool.
What truly baffled me was that when Maya stepped outside and he had a clear shot, he didn’t immediately take it. We hear Maya’s voice “but it was all worth it, wasn’t it? for a chance at real happiness?” and Colin responding “it’s not for me to say” (a “memory” of a conversation that was shown prior) and he looks away from his target for a moment, long enough for Hotch to take him out. From the plot I conclude that it clearly wasn’t a memory, him and Maya never had contact. So did he get too involved in his own scenario, to the point where he developed a sort of parasocial bond? Did he stay awake there for so long that he was starting to show signs of delusion? Was he lowkey falling for his target after imagining being her protector? I’d love to hear your opinions/interpretations of this.