I just have one question. What did Morgan say to Garcia? "You're my god-given"... what? I didn't catch that last part.
Morgan: Garcia? I'll tell you what you are to me.
You're my God-given solace. Woman you promise me one thing - whatever happens, don't you ever stop talking to me.
Garcia: I can't right now 'cause I'm mad at you
I didn't mind the episode, but it did seem suspious that the kid I believe was his name, would be one allowed down there, if the profile at the time said that the first responders would have to stay back because of a new wave may occure, didn't it occure to anyone that there were three people, down there and no one else. Also didn't occure to anyone who was writing the scene (and I would have to check the tape at the time, as restricted as they were about Morgan going in, that suddenly an ambulance going in there with one paramedic was strange? Also Hotch was in that explosion and the way he kept peering back in the mirror like he thought something wasn't right but didn't quite know what it was who in the world would let him drive and you can tell he had been hurt too.
As to the who was going to die, told you all back in that last thread when we were discussing cast members staying or going, that it was likely not what it seemed but rather a mere diversion on the part of the writers. The end of last season showed the SUV's together and everyone getting in at one time (as they were leaving together), then the explosion. In the Current season it was only one SUV and two people and they were walking up to it rather then out to it. Yet the camera clearly shows the bomber planting the bomb (on a deserted street) and yet no one else saw him until they pulled the tape and also until he showed himself.
I don't think they jumped the shark but they didn't exactly throw a curve in there really. Garcia was an excellent character emotion to have on the show. The problem was the emotional factor of the others being worried not nearly the range of hers even as she just walks through the door. In the end they way they left it with Morgan didn't leave me with that feel of will he or won't he go, it left me with the oh well feeling.
I do agree this was a fast pace ep, too fast really, its like they combined two episodes into one and cut a few things. on a scale I give this ep a 8/10. Only because of Garcia, and the actional part (ie Bomb, hospital, death and final scene).