It took a long time for Westbrook to be approved, so I had time to do this proposal. I want to remove Billy Flynn from NPE but that will be later, here we go.
What’s the work?[]
Criminal Minds is an American police procedural crime drama television series created and produced by Jeff Davis and Erica Messer. The story follows the BAU, an analysis unit of the FBI that specializes in the profiles of "unsubs". I have mentioned this guy before in another proposal, but at that time, never watched it. Seeing it now, he seems pretty clear cut to be here.
Who is Benjamin David Merva?[]
Benjamin David Merva, originally known as David James Merva, and called The Messiah or The Strangler, is the main antagonist of the Criminal Minds episodes “Believer” and “300”. He is a former member of Benjamin Cyrus’s cult, and the leader of his cult named “The Believers”. To avenge Cyrus, he ritualistically kills 299 people and targets Spencer Reid, who he blames for the cult's destruction
What makes him heinous?[]
Biography[]
Merva was a Separatarian Sect member whose original name was David James Merva. When its leader, Benjamin Cyrus, and many members died in a mass suicide, Merva and the rest of the group were devastated. Merva would later create a cult named the Believers, a saying Cyrus used to say, with one of his former wives. Starting in 2008, Merva started torturing people by removing their thyroid bones and strangling them to death. He also made any new member except Meadows burn off their fingertips with acid, Meadows's job was to assist in the kidnappings and cover the murders, though only 7 are known at the start, the victim count is later revealed to be as high as 299.
When Agent Owen Quinn found about seven murders, the Holstons, a psychopathic couple who had a son, found out, they kidnapped Quinn and tortured him for a year while interrogating him. Theo Holston, the son, would give Quinn food and comfort him, resulting in a paternal relationship. One day, the Holstons force Theo to kill his girlfriend, but Theo relents, strangles Quinn until he is knocked out, and shoots both his parents. Out of guilt, Theo sends an email to Spencer Reid with coordinates and an address.
In "Believer"[]
Quinn had severe PTSD from his torture, and to many, was considered a prime suspect. David Rossi doubted Quinn was a killer and was able to prove his theory after Theo’s parents were found dead. Meadows was made to spy on the BAU and see if Reid or Prentiss knew her identity, which they didn't. After Merva was arrested with the help of Theo, Meadows used her position to break into the building and release Merva. While escaping, Meadows shoots Quinn in his stomach and takes Reid hostage. Despite Penelope signaling to Reid to let her be taken hostage, Reid gives up and allows himself to be kidnapped
In "300"[]
Reid is tortured while there and Penelope is forced to assist by hiding the signals of their weapons and vehicles. Unfortunately for Theo, he is deemed not worthy to be a leader and is shot by the cult, leaving Penelope enough time to run away and alert the BAU. After realizing that Meadows and Merva are related to Cyrus, Garcia deduces they are setting up in Arcadia, Kentucky. Reid is set to be the 300th victim for being the main cause of Cyrus’s downfall and is put on a throne, bound, and forced to say a quote before his death. Fortunately for Reid, the BAU sneaks into the camp, takes down five of the members, shoots Merva, and arrests the rest of them.
Heinous standard[]
The heinous standard is high, but like, he has 299 victims who he all tortured and murdered, he has proxy torture, and proxy murder. While his cult is massive, 300 murders make him plenty heinous, no problem here.
Mitigating Factors[]
I learned about Merva because I saw him as a CM for Criminal Minds, but I watched the episode, and I don't think the mitigating factors were discussed enough. Merva’s whole reason for revenge is because Reid manipulated Cyrus into trusting him, but only to destroy his cult from the inside. Does he care for Cyrus to do fanaticism? No. Cyrus was known to sexually abuse children behind his religious facade, and Merva never had a desire to commit rape or molestation. From what we've seen, Merva doesn't care for god to excuse his crimes, but out of genuine belief. The cult name is one of Cyrus’s sayings, their goal of 300 kills is for the Garden of Eden, and the cult goes to Kentucky because Cyrus used to be a model citizen there.
The religion isn't what I'm focused on, cause, it's not a prevention, he shows no remorse for anyone, and his care for fellow cult members is debatable, though he could care for Meadows. Benjamin doesn't have to target Reid, I doubt that members are begging to target the man responsible for their destruction. Even when talking solely to Reid, he mentions that loyalty is everything and his face shows deep resentment. The second episode is focused on Merva and the cult getting revenge for Cyrus. As mentioned, Cyrus doesn't preach bad things, he preaches good things. In short, I can't think of any reason to get revenge on Reid except to avenge his friend.
Verdict[]
I say yes