The BAU has battled gruesome, villainous unsubs for over 300 episodes.
Read below to see which seasons are watchable or skippable.
Warning: This article contains spoilers forCriminal Minds.
Everett Collection
It began with the abrupt exit of beloved character Jennifer “JJ” Jureau (A.J.
Behind-the-scenes choices were turned into a plot point that ended up hurting the show.
Still, there are a handful of standout moments and episodes during this uneven season.
Richard Cartwright/CBS
However, a shocking confession from JJ about loving Reid is what really hurts the season.
but ultimately, it wasn’t to be.
SSA Simmons fits in seamlessly as a BAU team member to make the final team configuration of the series.
Cliff Lipson/CBS
Add in thatCriminal Mindsonly split up the BAU for one episode, making it an elongated arc without teeth.
While there are some good to great narratives pieces, the season overall is certainly not one ofCriminal Minds’strongest.
Season 9 (2013-2014)
The ninth season ofCriminal Mindsmarks a big year for SSA Jureau.
Sonja Flemming/CBS
In addition, the season’s cases are far fromCriminal Minds' most compelling.
Meanwhile, Elias online grid of killers gives the team their most robust challenge to date.
One of the seasons biggest assets is not ignoring the time away.
Everett Collection
The team has aged and grown apart amidst professional changes.
We even learn that Luke and Garcia did go on that date after all.
He’s a company man who oozes too much confidence and adds a nice internal complication to this season.
Michael Yarish /Paramount+
Unfortunately,Criminal Mindsreturn has some issues, the major one being a Reid-shaped hole.
What’s more, Ryan-James Hatanakas Tyler Green is not an addition that serves the season well.
What the team believes to be 12 targets of some kind actually only concerns one person: Garcia.
CBS
As mentioned, season 11 also wraps up Moore’s time on the show as SSA Morgan.
With JJ and Prentiss back,Criminal Minds’best BAU line-up returns.
Season 3 (2007-2008)
This is season that put together the BAU unit beloved byCriminal Mindsfans.
Everett Collection
Season 5 (2009-2010)
Criminal Minds’most devastating moment is at the center of one of its best seasons.
The entire arc results in Thomas Gibson’s best work during his 12-season run on the show.
Aside from Foyet’s attack on Hotch,Criminal Mindshas a slew of great cases in season five.
Nigel Parry/CBS
The result of personal stories, The Reaper arc, and strong cases makes season five close toCriminal Minds’best.
After being shot in the season one finale, Elle begins her tragic exit in early season two.
The trauma of her shooting and the pressure of her job leads to the BAU agent shooting an unsub.
Everett Collection
Everett Collection
Everett Collection
Everett Collection
Everett Collection
Everett Collection
Everett Collection
