"Criminal Minds" returned for an impressive 11th season and its premiere episode unfolded in classic BAU style, with the team capturing a serial killer despite being two people down. Now a new member is on board and will hopefully be able to step up and learn to work with the team.

When "Criminal Minds" returned to the small screen with the episode "The Job," viewers were introduced to a serial killer who painted his victims' faces black and white. It turned out the unsub was a killer-for-hire who injected his victims with a slow-acting nutritional supplement that can cause an embolism. 

Loyal fans of the show had known early on that the BAU team would be opening the season severely handicapped as Agents Kate Callahan (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Jennifer Jareau (A.J Cook) would both be on maternity leave. While Callahan is set on raising a family, JJ is expected to return midway through the season. 

But that still means that the remaining members of the team are stretched thin, and the premiere episode gave off that impression. Team leader Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) looked grimmer than usual and there was no amusing banter between Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) and his baby girl, Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness).

The premiere's title was strangely apt as the episode, and JJ's absence, underlined that this family is slowly being broken down by the job, by the numerous disturbing cases they handle, and that their core team is missing key members. 

As hoped, the team was able to crack the case open, thanks to Dr. Tara Lewis (Aisha Tyler). A forensic psychologist applying for the opening at the BAU, Dr. Lewis was able to help the team identify the mole who tipped off the killer. The episode ended with Hotch talking to Dr. Lewis about joining the team.

It seems the good doctor will be immediately thrown to the deep end of the pool in episode 2 of "Criminal Minds" season 11 as, according to spoilers, the team will deal with an unsub who uses a deadly gas.

A clip for the episode, titled "The Witness," shows Garcia informing Hotch and the rest that sarin gas was used in an attack on a bus that left 10 people dead. Nobody is claiming responsibility for the attack but the BAU has to move fast as the culprit has chosen a bigger target for his or her second attack.

Viewers will be treated to a familiar face in the next episode. According to TVLine, Marisol Nichols of "NCIS" will be onboard as FBI agent Natalie Colfax. A distinguished agent, she will be helping the team catch the criminal.

"The Mentalist's" Tim Kang is also slated to appear next episode in the role of a medical supply officer, Charlie Senerak.

With a full plate of danger and disturbing unsubs ahead of her, fans of the series are wondering if Dr. Lewis can cut it and succeed in the BAU.

Fans will hopefully know the answer when episode 2, "The Witness," airs on Oct. 7 on CBS.