Criminal Minds is a crime drama show that follows an elite team of FBI profilers as they attempt to analyze the country's most twisted criminal minds. The show first aired in 2005 and is now available on Paramount+. With 17 seasons, it can be difficult to know which episodes are the best. That's why we have ranked the best episodes of Criminal Minds so you can get the most out of the show.
From the pilot episode to the series finale, Criminal Minds has offered fans many memorable episodes. From thrillers to heart-breaking moments, it’s hard to pick the best ones. Luckily, we have compiled a list of the best episodes ranked from top to bottom.
Whether you are a fan of the show or just getting started, our list of the best episodes of Criminal Minds will help you get the most out of this amazing show. So settle in for a thrilling ride with Criminal Minds as you watch some of the best episodes the show has to offer.
Written by Sophie and last updated on oct 04, 2024.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
At the heart of the serial killing network is Elias Voit. Dangerous psychopath. Manipulative narcissist. Loving father and husband. In order to find him, the team must find all of his kill kits. But one is missing, and the path leads to a bomb in the middle of Washington, D.C.
The episode was rated 7.70 from 528 votes.
With the fate of the Sicarius investigation hanging in the balance, the BAU takes a case in West Virginia, where an UnSub practices his own twisted form of Old Testament vengeance.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 461 votes.
When a family annihilator abducts a teen girl, the Behavioral Analysis Unit works the case on either side of the country to save her. But an unlikely connection to a mysterious kit leads to a bigger investigation and at the center of it is Penelope Garcia.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 580 votes.
The BAU team is on the hunt for a serial killer network and their latest lead involves a home invasion team. Alvez and Garcia convince Tyler Green to be part of a cognitive interview to unlock his memories of a criminal called Sicarius. During the episode, questions arise such as whether the old brother had any connection to Sicarius and if the person Tyler saw with his sister is the same one seen in a container.
The episode gets a mixed review from the fans. Some think that the pacing of the story was not very interesting and that it is back to the old storytelling of the show. Others feel that this season has been great and that the separate stories being part of one greater scheme is fantastic. It is also noted that the cast being able to swear in character is helping the show and that Penelope is basically carrying this season with her being put more and more into the spotlight.
The episode was rated 7.75 from 479 votes.
Voit’s internal struggles with himself lead him to a desperate kidnapping. But Rossi’s obsession brings the BAU closer to the truth than they’ve ever been.
The episode was rated 7.76 from 443 votes.
The BAU team is determined to uncover the true mastermind behind Sicarius and the explosion that exposed them. Silas, the actor playing the villainous character, has many secrets and a complicated backstory to uncover. Despite the actor being popular, it is still difficult to comprehend Sicarius' evilness.
The episode also introduces the possibility of a romance between Penelope and Tyler, a development which is well-received by the audience. Penelope provides a lightheartedness to the show, allowing some relief from the darkness that is Criminal Minds. Fans are hoping that this love story will be a pleasant addition to the season.
The episode was rated 7.78 from 461 votes.
In the season finale of Criminal Minds, "Dead End," Rossi is in Voit's clutches as the BAU team tightens their grip on him. Rossi is faced with the challenges of his technical knowledge and mental strength, and Voit reveals just how far he is willing to take his deadly crusade.
The overall consensus of the season is that it is entertaining yet unsatisfactory. However, fans appreciate the show's incredible season finale and its justice to the plot. The season builds up the character of the unsub, Elias/Lee, and the finale leaves plenty of questions for the next season.
The episode was rated 7.82 from 449 votes.
In the episode Memento Mori of the show Criminal Minds, Rossi will go to any lengths to prove that Elias Voit is Sicarius. However, Voit manages to turn Rossi into his own worst enemy and puts his future at the Behavioral Analysis Unit in jeopardy. David Rossi is known for having extensive experience and a long career in the FBI and is considered a subject matter expert in several areas of criminology.
The interaction of Rossi and Elias in this episode was something unexpected but proved to be quite captivating. Meanwhile, the fans of the show are speculating that Will is a goner, as he has been pushed into the spotlight all season and is now working with the team on the case. There are also hopes that Penelope Garcia will finally be able to find some happiness.
The episode was rated 7.82 from 463 votes.
In the Criminal Minds episode "Sicarius", the BAU team hunts an UnSub who severs spinal cords, and discovers a clue from their last case that hints at a serial killing network. To get to the bottom of the network, Rossi must convince Garcia, who is reluctant, to come back to the BAU.
The episode raises questions about power and control, both within the FBI and between the chain of serial killers. It also raises the question of whether the show is a giant love letter to Garcia, as she is the one with the connections to uncover the FBI-BS. Tara's girlfriend is introduced as a plot device, and though her presence wasn't mentioned in previous episodes, it furthers the plot.
The episode was rated 7.87 from 536 votes.
Criminal Minds' episode Oedipus Wrecks is a thrilling and suspenseful episode of the show. Deputy Director Bailey calls upon the BAU to investigate a series of strange attacks involving young D.C. socialites being bitten by an unknown UnSub. As the case quickly turns political, the BAU finds themselves caught in the crosshairs of a powerful senator. This leads them to discovering a second shipping container that is rigged to blow and puts them in a dangerous situation.
The ending of the episode is shocking and left viewers wondering what will happen. The team's safety is in question as they are faced with an explosive situation. Many viewers were frustrated with the episode, as they were not prepared for the cliffhanger ending and had to wait until January for the continuation of the episode. It is sure to be an edge-of-your-seat ride to find out what happens next.
The episode was rated 7.91 from 385 votes.
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