The BAU investigates a murder in which two victims' faces are similarly mutilated; given a "Glasgow Smile." For the first time, Will contaminates a crime scene thinking he committed the first murder and an MRI shows he suffers from Advanced Encephalitis. But Hannibal intimidates the attending physician, Dr. Sutcliffe, into telling Will he's okay. Meanwhile, the team doubts Will who says, while revisiting the crime scene alone, he saw a mysterious, "dead-looking" woman who may be involved. With his fears fed by Hannibal, Will returns to Dr. Sutcliffe for more mental health tests, when the doctor is murdered.
On her first day back, Andy is forced to work a bank robbery case with newly promoted Swarek; a distraught woman gives Nick perspective on his life with Gail; a bombshell is dropped on Noelle.