The Uncanny Valley — [s5e12]

The BAU discovers Samantha was the victim of horrific abuse by her father, Dr. Arthur Malcolm. He molested her and other patients, giving her dolls as "gifts" after each assault and using electroshock therapy to repress her memories and keep her silent.

The Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is called to Atlantic City after two women are found dead and posed in public places that represent childhood—a playground carousel and a swing set. The victims are physically well-cared for but have been kept in a drug-induced, conscious coma for months. [S5E12] The Uncanny Valley

When her father gave away her original doll collection, Samantha's fragile psyche snapped, leading her to "replace" them with human surrogates. Key Moments and Themes The BAU discovers Samantha was the victim of

Samantha uses a wheelchair lift in her van to abduct victims. She dresses them in meticulously tailored chiffon clothes and even sews wigs directly into their scalps to ensure they perfectly match her lost dolls. The Heartbreak: Samantha’s Trauma The Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is called to

Unlike many of the show's more malicious killers, Samantha is portrayed with immense pathos.