Criminal Minds

10 Best Episodes of Criminal Minds - Season 3

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, itโ€™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 dec 20, 2023.

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!

Advertisement
Criminal Minds - S3E18

#15 - The Crossing (Season 3 - Episode 18)

The team members try to identify a stalker before he can attack a woman who is being stalked in Silver Spring, Maryland. Meanwhile, Hotch and Rossi are called as consultants on a possible battered woman syndrome murder case in Boston.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 574 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E17

#14 - In Heat (Season 3 - Episode 17)

Advertisement

The BAU is called to Miami to investigate a serial killer who appears to have a conflicted sexual identity.

The episode was rated 7.73 from 594 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E10

#13 - True Night (Season 3 - Episode 10)

The BAU and local authorities in Los Angeles investigate gang-related serial killings that might possibly involve a famous comic book artist.

The episode was rated 7.76 from 593 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E19

#12 - Tabula Rasa (Season 3 - Episode 19)

Advertisement

After a suspected serial killer wakes up from a coma, the BAU reopens the case and uses brain fingerprinting to determine if he really doesn't remember the crimes that had been committed four years earlier in Roanoke, Virginia.

The episode was rated 7.77 from 599 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E2

#11 - In Name and Blood (Season 3 - Episode 2)

In Milwaukee, a series of women have been found murdered with their hearts crudely removed. The BAU is assigned to the case, but they are short three members: Gideon, who is missing, Hotch, who is on suspension and Prentiss, who resigns her commission to join the Foreign Service. Supervisor Strauss steps in as lead, but she doesn't handle herself well in the field.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 653 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E11

#10 - Birthright (Season 3 - Episode 11)

Advertisement

The new sheriff in Fredericksburg, Virginia, requests the BAU's assistance in the investigation of a series of mutilation murders that appear to mimic similar crimes that had occurred over two decades earlier.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 590 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E1

#9 - Doubt (Season 3 - Episode 1)

The team investigates a serial killer who is targeting women at a small college in Flagstaff, Arizona. The BAU shuts down the campus, creates a detailed profile of the unsub, and arrests a suspect. However, the team members begin to have doubts about themselves when another woman is killed while the suspect is in custody.

The episode was rated 7.78 from 636 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E12

#8 - 3rd Life (Season 3 - Episode 12)

Advertisement

When one teenager is found murdered and her best friend is abducted in Chula Vista, California, the BAU assists local authorities in determining whether the Witness Protection Program is involved.

The episode was rated 7.80 from 598 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E16

#7 - Elephant's Memory (Season 3 - Episode 16)

Criminal Minds continues to bring its thrilling crime-fighting stories to viewers in its episode entitled "Elephant's Memory." In this episode, the BAU team travels to West Bune, Texas to investigate a series of spree killings. The victims are a teenaged boy and his girlfriend and the BAU must try to find out who is behind the attacks.

The team will have to use their expertise to investigate the crime scenes, interview witnesses and gather evidence to try and uncover the killer's identity. They will also use their profiling skills to try and get into the mind of the killer in order to understand the motive behind the crimes. With their experience and understanding of criminal behavior, the BAU team will work together to solve the case and bring justice to the victims.

The episode was rated 7.84 from 586 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E14

#6 - Damaged (Season 3 - Episode 14)

Advertisement

In the episode "Damaged" of the show Criminal Minds, an investigation by Rossi has been going on for 20 years. Rossi travels to Indianapolis to continue his investigation of two unsolved murders. After two to three days in Indianapolis, he solves the case and finds the criminals responsible for the deaths.

The episode is praised for not focusing on rape and torture. This is a refreshing change for viewers of the show. Rossi's obsession with the case for 20 years is seen as a testament to his dedication to uncover the truth. This episode is considered to be a great episode as Rossi is able to solve the case within a few days in Indianapolis.

The episode was rated 7.87 from 597 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E4

#5 - Children of the Dark (Season 3 - Episode 4)

Criminal Mindsโ€™ episode Children of the Dark follows the BAU as they travel to Denver to investigate a string of home invasions that have resulted in the murder of entire families. The team is tasked with finding the killers, who may have been victims of abuse while in foster care.

Unfortunately, this episode of Criminal Minds is quite predictable. The BAU is able to find the killers quickly and the conclusion of the episode is not particularly satisfying. Even with a few twists, the episode fails to keep the audience engaged throughout its entirety.

The episode was rated 7.95 from 620 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E5

#4 - Seven Seconds (Season 3 - Episode 5)

Advertisement

The BAU team is on the case when a young girl disappears from a local shopping mall. With time running out, the team must act quickly to find the girl before it is too late. As the investigation progresses, the team soon turns its attention to the family in hopes of uncovering any clues that could lead to the missing girl.

The BAU must work with local authorities to sift through every possible lead and piece together the clues as quickly as possible. With every second counting, the team must use all of its resources to locate the girl and bring her home safely. Will the team be able to find her in time, or will the case of the missing girl remain unsolved?

The episode was rated 7.96 from 632 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E8

#3 - Lucky (Season 3 - Episode 8)

The BAU team is on a mission to investigate a series of serial killings in Florida that seem to involve occult and satanic worship. As the team works to find the killer, one of their own is put in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Garcia believes she has met the man of her dreams, but an unexpected twist on her first date leads her to rethink her assumptions.

The episode of Criminal Minds, "Lucky," is a disturbing and intense ride. The mix of serial killings, occult and satanic worship, and a team member in danger creates a suspenseful atmosphere. At the same time, Garcia's story of searching for love and coming up against a surprise is an emotional counterpoint to the horror of the investigation. Itโ€™s an episode that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats, even as it makes them uncomfortable with the subject matter.

The episode was rated 8.00 from 635 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E9

#2 - Penelope (Season 3 - Episode 9)

Advertisement

In the episode Penelope of the show Criminal Minds, the BAU continues the search for an attacker. Meanwhile, one of the team members is fighting for their life. During the investigation, they soon discover that the assailant could be someone close to the investigation.

The episode focuses on the team as they continue to search for the attacker. With one of their own fighting for their life, the team is determined to find the attacker and put an end to their reign of terror. During their investigation, the team must be cautious as they could be dealing with someone close to the case. It is a suspenseful episode as the team races to find the attacker before it is too late.

The episode was rated 8.10 from 644 votes.

Criminal Minds - S3E20

#1 - Lo-Fi (Season 3 - Episode 20)

In the episode Lo-Fi, the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) of the FBI is faced with one of its toughest cases yet. The team is called to New York City to determine if a series of random shootings is the work of one serial killer or a team of killers working together. This episode of Criminal Minds is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats as they watch the BAU team investigate the shootings and determine if they are the work of one killer or several.

The BAU team must carefully assemble the pieces of the puzzle in order to put an end to the random shootings. They go through the evidence and interview witnesses in order to gain further insight into the case. Viewers will be captivated as they witness the BAU teamโ€™s detective work and their determination to put an end to the random shootings. This thrilling episode will keep viewers guessing until the very end as they try to figure out if the shootings are the work of one serial killer or multiple killers.

The episode was rated 8.17 from 601 votes.

Latest articles

Search for TV shows...

About Series with Sophie

Welcome to our community!

We are a community of women who are passionate about our favorite series and want to share that passion with others.

Our mission is to create a space where women can discover new content, connect with like-minded individuals, and engage in meaningful discussions about the series we love.

We believe that everyone should have access to reliable and trustworthy information about their favorite shows, and we strive to be the premier destination for women seeking that information. Whether you're looking for recaps, fan theories, or just want to connect with other fans, we've got you covered.

So join us and be a part of our growing community of series enthusiasts!