"L.D.S.K.," the 6th episode of the 1st season of "Criminal Minds," starts with Reid feeling deflated after he fails his firearms test. This leaves him with little protection out in the field if another agent is unable to come to his aid. Nevertheless, the team receives a briefing from JJ Jareau (A. J. Cook) and embarks on a case involving a sniper — or "long-distance serial killer," which the title acronym represents.
While working the case, the killer takes Reid and Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) hostage inside a hospital. Hotch sees the killer's true colors as an arrogant person and takes it upon himself to get on his good side by claiming that Reid has been nothing but a nuisance since he joined the B.A.U. This plan works, and thankfully, Reid catches on, so there are no hard feelings about Hotch kicking Reid in the ribs several times over.
It is while being kicked that Reid removes the gun that Hotch keeps strapped to his ankle, and when the killer points his own gun at Hotch, Reid quickly shoots him between the eyes — killing him instantly and saving the life of his fellow agent. Hotch later tells Reid that he's passed his firearms exam even though Reid admits he was actually aiming for the unsub's leg. Still, Reid is granted a firearm and joins the rest of the team with the confidence to defend himself and his fellow agents if needed.
The episode ends in classic "Criminal Minds" style with a quote from Shakspeare — "Nothing is so common as the wish to be remarkable."
