"Criminal Minds" season 11 has decided to try another serialized approach to the season with the introduction of the Dirty Dozen. The series has done something similar way back in seasons 4 and 5 with its Reaper storyline. It worked then and it seems to be working well now. 

This season, the BAU team is also menaced by a group of hitmen who call themselves the Dirty Dozen. The team encountered the group in its premiere episode and there have been hints as to how dangerous they are. This was proven once again in the previous episode, "Awake," when the hitmen set their sights on Hotch (Thomas Gibson) and Garcia (Kristen Vangsness). The episode revealed that at least four assassins are after the team's indispensible computer analyst. It even came to the point that Garcia had to go into the Witness Protection Program. 

But now, Hotch is hoping their newest case will bring him the NSA support that he needs. In a synopsis for episode 9, aptly titled "Internal Affairs," the BAU collaborates with the NSA after two undercover DEA agents are found murdered while a third agent goes missing. The two agencies join forces to check if a sinister, underground Internet drug ring is behind the murders and the disappearance. The case might also be what Hotch needs to get the NSA's support in helping the team track down and put a stop to the assassins of the Dirty Dozen. 

So far, the team has been having a challenging time getting ahead of the criminals. But their quest to stay ahead of the shadowy group has certainly been good for the season as it gives the series a more serialized feel. 

The series is currently on a one week Thanksgiving break and will return with a new episode on Dec. 2. "Criminal Minds" season 11 will then go on another hiatus after the show's midseason finale is aired on Dec. 9.