Okay first things first, we need to address the Reid and JJ situation (which really feels like the main plot point for this episode). Now, the writers definitely heard the criticism for the sudden declaration of love. It was well deserved. However, how they've chosen to address it in "Awakenings" can be interpreted in two ways:
1. Like many other reviewers have said, as doubling down on the awfulness and making the whole thing cringey.
2. That this shows character growth for Reid and more insight into JJ.
I ascribe to the second one and here's why: I don't think you can clearly define romantic love or attachments. Emotions are messy, and consequently so are relationships. You can be best friends with somebody and even harbour some romantic love for them without acting on it. It becomes a question of what kind of presence you want them hold in your life. We've seen JJ and Will's marriage evolve through the span of the show. The two of them work for a reason, but that doesn't mean it would have been out of character for JJ to wonder about what kind of life she would've had if she had decided to pursue a relationship with Reid. They're incredibly close and she's a fairly open minded person (given the nature of her job). As the show constantly reminds us, how we act on our feelings define our choices. JJ recognises that she might have been happy with Reid but in my opinion, I think she realised long ago that she needs Will as her partner (which she states as much to Will). JJ is definitely a strong character but given that her role in her friendship with Reid has largely revolved around taking care of him, she would want somebody to lean against when she needs to. Will gives her that in a way Reid would not be able to. She realises that, which is why she kept it to herself.
While having this whole wrench thrown into the dynamic was unnecessary in the first place, I think the writers managed to mitigate the worst of the damage.
The real gold in this episode is how Reid has grown. I don't think it's out of character for him to hold onto the idea of a future with JJ. I say this because she's the only consistent close female relationship he's shown to have. With his mom's illness, seriously cursed love life and abandonment issues (Dad, Gideon, Maeve, PRENTISS?), I don't think it's inconceivable that he would idolise JJ in a romantic light. He's content to have her in his life however he can and isn't forced to question the dynamics of their relationship. His romantic love for her had been (to his knowledge) unrequited. That changes with JJ's admission, which is why I think she says that it's not fair. Now he's forced to confront his feelings, which is compounded by what's going on with his mom's health. Reid has long been portrayed to have a certain degree of emotional immaturity. Processing his feelings is difficult for him, and I think the show has hinted every now and then that he might be on the autism spectrum. With his mother's prognosis, a turning point has popped up where he needs to figure out who he is if not her son, or the boy wonder thinking of a future with JJ.
Honestly? I'll buy it. It's the only way they could have salvaged that travesty of a plot twist.
Meanwhile, the chase for Lynch continues with some unexpected plot twists. I liked the pacing of this part of the episode (that really felt like a sub-plot) and Lynch makes for a great villain. Grace's character is also fleshed out well, and I appreciated the deeper insight into both of their relationships with Roberta.
All in all, a good effort; definitely better than "Under the Skin".