This is not a drill — the highly anticipated Criminal Minds reboot is coming out on November 24, 2022, and I could not be more excited! I started watching Criminal Minds, a crime drama following the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, during quarantine, and it quickly became my go-to show. The shocking, crime-based plotlines kept me on the edge of my seat, but the humor, relationships, and “found family” trope are what keep me coming back to this 15-season series. So, in honor of Criminal Minds: Evolution, here are five of my favorite Criminal Minds episodes!
*Spoilers ahead!*
- “Revelations” – Season 2, Episode 15
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In the second episode of a 2-part special, fan-favorite Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) is kidnapped by unsub (unidentified subject of an investigation) Tobias Hankel, who is battling two other personalities for control of his body. Reid’s capture is broadcast for the rest of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) to watch as they work to save him. This episode is so memorable because for the first time in the series, it truly looked like a BAU member might not live to see another episode. After watching Spencer Reid come into his own as a member of the BAU for nearly two seasons, seeing him use his genius to survive was nerve-wracking. Thankfully, Reid survives, and the emotional team reunion is the icing on the cake.
- “Lauren” – Season 6, Episode 18
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In “Lauren,” Agent Emily Prentiss’s (Paget Brewster) past is finally revealed: years ago, Prentiss went undercover to take down terrorist Ian Doyle, who has now escaped from prison to come after her. After going rogue and attempting to find Doyle herself, Prentiss is taken hostage. By the time the BAU finds her, she is in critical condition and dies at the hospital. However, in a crazy twist, it is revealed that Prentiss has faked her own death and gone into hiding. I love Prentiss and the personality she brings to the team, so this episode was an emotional roller coaster. Not only was I shocked, but seeing the team mourn Prentiss without knowing that they’ll one day be reunited is always a tear-jerker.
- “The Black Queen” – Season 9, Episode 12
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In this episode, beloved Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) takes center stage. Viewers learn about Garcia’s past as an infamous hacker and watch with bated breath as she uses her old connections to help the team find the unsub. I love episodes that focus on Garcia; her wit is top notch and her determination to see the good in the world brings light to an otherwise very dark show. One of my favorite parts of this episode is a subplot where Garcia and Agent Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) are called out by HR for their over-the-top flirtatious friendship — priceless!
- “Green Light” – Season 12, Episode 21
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At this point in the series, Agent Reid has been framed for murder and sent to prison — yikes. Don’t worry, it gets worse. In “Green Light,” Reid realizes that his mother has been kidnapped by someone very unexpected from the BAU’s past. At the same time, the team makes one last desperate attempt to get Reid out of prison, and it works! This is one reason this episode stuck with me — seeing Reid finally get to go home was a relief. However, the other reason “Green Light” is on this list is because the unsub responsible for kidnapping Reid’s mother is totally out of left field. This was such an unpredictable plot twist that made for a great episode (and rest assured, Reid’s mom is rescued in the season finale).
- “Saturday” – Season 15, Episode 4
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This episode follows the team on a day off, and I think it’s the most lighthearted episode in the whole series. A stalking investigation with a (relatively) happy ending unites Garcia and Agent Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez), who eventually get together after the series ends (yay!). Elsewhere, Prentiss’s Saturday goes south as she deals with an old neighbor convinced that the FBI is spying on him. Best of all, Reid finds a potential new love interest. Romance hasn’t been kind to Reid, so seeing him get out of his comfort zone and make a connection is so nice. This episode gives viewers a chance to enjoy their favorite characters and is a wonderful addition to the final season.
I wish I could include about a dozen more episodes on this list, but for now, those are five of my favorite Criminal Minds episodes. While the show may come across as just another crime drama, Criminal Minds is really about the unbreakable bond of the BAU and the power of human connection in a messed-up world. This show will always be a favorite of mine, and I can’t wait to see what Criminal Minds: Evolution has in store!
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