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The Best Episodes of Criminal Minds Season 17

Every episode of Criminal Minds Season 17 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Criminal Minds Season 17!

Binge this in 8h 49m•Peaking at 7.9/10

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 17 Episode 1 - Gold Star
    7.9/10(728 votes)

    S17:E1

    Prentiss uncovers a series of brutal killings linked by a specific calling card. Despite being haunted by Elias Voit, the BAU is forced to team up with him to track the Gold Star killer. Rossi and Prentiss devise a plan to gain leverage over Voit.

    Director:Douglas Aarniokoski
    Writer:Erica Messer

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  2. Criminal Minds Season 17 Episode 7 - Piranha
    7.8/10(635 votes)

    S17:E7

    The BAU zeroes in on a sadistic UnSub in D.C. with a twisted M.O. Prentiss and Rossi dive into the BAU's history to find connections to Gold Star. Prentiss reaches out to someone from Rossi's past. Voit utilizes his lawyer to reach out to Damien.

    Director:Aisha Tyler
    Writers:Jayne A. Archer, Chikodili Agwuna

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  3. Criminal Minds Season 17 Episode 8 - North Star
    7.8/10(564 votes)

    S17:E8

    The BAU tries to get ahead of Jade and Damien who are on a killing spree. Rossi must confront an old flame to unpack the secrets behind the Gold Star program. Tyler and Rebecca attempt to gain leverage over Elias Voit's lawyer.

    Director:Zach Gilford
    Writers:Christopher Barbour, Charles Dewey

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  4. Criminal Minds Season 17 Episode 9 - Stars & Stripes
    7.8/10(502 votes)

    S17:E9

    With Jade on the run, the BAU continues to assemble the pieces connecting Gold Star victims to Aida Limited. Jade and Dana follow Voit’s breadcrumbs to the heart of the “conspiracy.” A search warrant execution by the BAU has deadly consequences.

    Director:Bethany Rooney
    Writer:Christopher Barbour

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  5. Criminal Minds Season 17 Episode 2 - Contagion
    7.7/10(647 votes)

    S17:E2

    The BAU investigates a series of killings with the same brutal M.O. they saw with the strike team deaths. The team tries to link the victims to determine if they are dealing with the same killer. Rebecca joins Lewis and Tyler Green on a stakeout.

    Director:A.J. Cook
    Writer:Matthew Lau

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  6. Criminal Minds Season 17 Episode 10 - Save the Children
    7.7/10(549 votes)

    S17:E10

    When the identity of the last Gold Star member is revealed, the pieces of the puzzle click together. Prentiss, now in mortal danger, must confront Jade and her accomplice to expose the truth behind the “conspiracy” before time runs out for the BAU.

    Director:Glenn Kershaw
    Writer:Breen Frazier

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  7. Criminal Minds Season 17 Episode 4 - Kingdom of the Blind
    7.5/10(585 votes)

    S17:E4

    The BAU is faced with more Gold Star killing with the same gruesome M.O. Elias Voit says goodbye to his family. Prentiss wrestles with the fallout of her run-in with Brian Garrity. Garcia hacks the cloned phone brought in by Tyler Green.

    Director:Joe Mantegna
    Writers:Jayne A. Archer, Chikodili Agwuna

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  8. Criminal Minds Season 17 Episode 5 - Conspiracy vs. Theory
    7.5/10(545 votes)

    S17:E5

    The BAU enlists Voit to help capture Jade and Damien, the UnSubs behind the Gold Star killings. Damien and Jade get the upper hand and the BAU must watch as Voit tries to negotiate with them in order to avoid a mass casualty event.

    Director:Sharat Raju
    Writer:Breen Frazier

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  9. Criminal Minds Season 17 Episode 3 - Homesick
    7.3/10(600 votes)

    S17:E3

    The BAU investigates the "Moving Day Murders" and track a ritualistic killer with a twisted method of subduing his victims. Tyler goes rogue to track down the latest Gold Star lead. Prentiss is targeted by conspiracy theorists.

    Director:Adam Rodriguez
    Writers:Sullivan Fitzgerald, Carlton Gillespie

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  10. Criminal Minds Season 17 Episode 6 - Message in a Bottle
    7.2/10(600 votes)

    S17:E6

    Alvez and Garcia profile who might be targeting Tyler's ex-girlfriend. JJ helps Prentiss work through an existential hangover. When Rossi's Voit delusions reach a breaking point, Rossi confronts Voit and unpack what has been truly haunting him.

    Director:Nelson McCormick
    Writers:Sullivan Fitzgerald, Carlton Gillespie

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Season 17 Ratings Summary

"Gold Star" is the best rated episode of "Criminal Minds" season 17. It scored 7.9/10 based on 728 votes. Directed by Douglas Aarniokoski and written by Erica Messer, it aired on 6/6/2024. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Piranha".