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The Best Episodes of Criminal Minds Season 12

Every episode of Criminal Minds Season 12 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Criminal Minds Season 12!

Binge this in 15h 24m•Peaking at 8.4/10

An elite team of FBI profilers analyze the country's most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again. The Behavioral Analysis Unit's most experienced agent is David Rossi, a founding member of

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 22 - Red Light
    8.4/10(2159 votes)

    S12:E22

    Derek Morgan brings the BAU a lead in the case against serial killer and escaped convict Mr. Scratch.

    Director:Glenn Kershaw
    Writer:Breen Frazier

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  2. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 21 - Green Light
    8.2/10(2060 votes)

    S12:E21

    When Reid fears his mother has been abducted, he asks the BAU to investigate while he's stuck in prison.

    Director:Alec Smight
    Writer:Erik Stiller

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  3. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 7 - Mirror Image
    7.8/10(2269 votes)

    S12:E7

    The BAU team opens an investigation when a man who fully believes he’s Dr. Tara Lewis’ brother arrives in town, knowing everything about her and her family, and she is unable to make contact with her real sibling.

    Director:Joe Mantegna
    Writer:Breen Frazier

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  4. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 13 - Spencer
    7.8/10(2356 votes)

    S12:E13

    When a BAU member gets in trouble in Mexico, the team enlists the services of the International Response Team for their help.

    Director:Glenn Kershaw
    Writers:Erica Messer, Kirsten Vangsness

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  5. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 6 - Elliott's Pond
    7.6/10(2414 votes)

    S12:E6

    When three children disappear while riding their bikes on the same path as a similar unsolved disappearance 30 years ago, the BAU team comes in to investigate.

    Director:Matthew Gray Gubler
    Writer:Erica Messer

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  6. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 2 - Sick Day
    7.5/10(2463 votes)

    S12:E2

    When JJ arrives home shaken after a rough case, she breaks down and tells her husband about the abduction of two children.

    Director:Larry Teng
    Writer:Virgil Williams

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  7. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 20 - Unforgettable
    7.5/10(1900 votes)

    S12:E20

    The BAU investigates when several federal government employees, including a close friend of Walker's, succumb to symptoms of a heart attack; Reid anxiously awaits his trial date.

    Director:Carlos Bernard
    Writer:Stephanie Sengupta

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  8. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 1 - The Crimson King
    7.4/10(2226 votes)

    S12:E1

    Agent Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez) joins the BAU team, which is tasked with capturing a killer who escaped prison with 13 other convicts at the end of last season.

    Director:Glenn Kershaw
    Writer:Breen Frazier

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  9. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 9 - Profiling 202
    7.4/10(2016 votes)

    S12:E9

    While Rossi conducts a profiling course on his birthday, he receives a call from his nemesis Tommy Yates, who discloses the location of his latest victim.

    Director:Rob Bailey
    Writer:Virgil Williams

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  10. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 17 - In the Dark
    7.4/10(2136 votes)

    S12:E17

    When two drastically different murder sprees are committed in Burlington, Vermont, the BAU concludes that a serial killer suffering from sleepwalking is responsible for both crimes. Meanwhile, Alvez presents Shaw with a shocking ultimatum after Reid is assaulted in prison.

    Director:Diana Valentine
    Writer:Dania Bennett

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  11. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 8 - Scarecrow
    7.3/10(1940 votes)

    S12:E8

    The team heads to Yakima, Washington when the remains of a dozen people are found along a creek bed.

    Director:Christoph Schrewe
    Writer:Karen Maser

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  12. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 14 - Collision Course
    7.3/10(1902 votes)

    S12:E14

    The BAU investigates the cause of several fatal car crashes involving drivers and pedestrians. Also, Reid gets bad news.

    Director:Alec Smight
    Writer:Stephanie Sengupta

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  13. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 15 - Alpha Male
    7.3/10(1984 votes)

    S12:E15

    The BAU investigates when several young men and women are victims of disfiguring acid attacks. Also, Dr. Reid begins to settle into his new surroundings.

    Director:Rob Bailey
    Writer:Karen Maser

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  14. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 18 - Hell's Kitchen
    7.3/10(2169 votes)

    S12:E18

    The BAU investigates an urban vampire who kidnaps his victims at night and holds them underground in the sewer system; Reid makes a difficult decision in prison.

    Director:Simon Mirren
    Writer:Erica Messer

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  15. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 3 - Taboo
    7.2/10(2283 votes)

    S12:E3

    The BAU welcomes back Emily Prentiss as they are called upon to investigate the disappearance of three women

    Director:Alec Smight
    Writer:Karen Maser

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  16. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 10 - Seek and Destroy
    7.2/10(2000 votes)

    S12:E10

    BAU team investigates a series of home invasions in upscale neighborhoods in San Diego involving casualties.

    Director:Diana Valentine
    Writer:Erik Stiller

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  17. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 11 - Surface Tension
    7.2/10(2209 votes)

    S12:E11

    Reid has returned from Houston, where he was visiting his mother who is in a new facility on an experimental drug program. He is called back home from the office while the rest of the team heads off on their next case. It isn't until the team is in the air that they learn that Diana is no longer in the Houston facility, but that she is now living with Reid, as the trial drug was not having the intended effect.

    Director:Oz Scott
    Writer:Bruce Zimmerman

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  18. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 16 - Assistance Is Futile
    7.2/10(2144 votes)

    S12:E16

    When three women in New York City are found dead with several bones broken, the BAU works with a single mother (Tatum O'Neal) who believes that her son is behind the heinous crimes. Meanwhile, Reid faces a difficult decision after a fellow inmate is threatened.

    Director:Leon Ichaso
    Writer:Virgil Williams

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  19. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 4 - Keeper
    7.1/10(1927 votes)

    S12:E4

    The BAU team searches for a serial killer along the Appalachian Trail in rural Virginia.

    Director:Sharat Raju
    Writer:Bruce Zimmerman

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  20. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 5 - The Anti-Terrorism Squad
    7.1/10(1848 votes)

    S12:E5

    The BAU investigates if bullying may be the link between two high school students who are the sole survivors after both of their families are killed.

    Director:Tawnia McKiernan
    Writer:Stephanie Sengupta

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  21. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 19 - True North
    7.1/10(2095 votes)

    S12:E19

    Three victims are found tied to stakes in the Arizona desert.

    Director:Joe Mantegna
    Writer:Bruce Zimmerman

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  22. Criminal Minds Season 12 Episode 12 - A Good Husband
    6.7/10(2205 votes)

    S12:E12

    The BAU team is called in to investigate when male victims are found with no way to identify them.

    Director:Laura Belsey
    Writers:Jeff Davis, Jim Clemente, Erik Stiller

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Season 12 Ratings Summary

"Red Light" is the best rated episode of "Criminal Minds" season 12. It scored 8.4/10 based on 2159 votes. Directed by Glenn Kershaw and written by Breen Frazier, it aired on 5/10/2017. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Green Light".