The Best Episodes of Criminal Minds Season 17

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.9/10(647 votes)

   #1 - Gold Star

   S17:E16/6/2024

   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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   Director:Douglas Aarniokoski

   Writer:Erica Messer
2. 

   7.7/10(576 votes)

   #2 - Contagion

   S17:E26/6/2024

   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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   Director:A. J. Cook

   Writer:Matthew Lau
3. 

   7.3/10(531 votes)

   #3 - Homesick

   S17:E36/13/2024

   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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   Director:Adam Rodriguez

   Writers:Sullivan Fitzgerald, Carlton Gillespie
4. 

   7.5/10(513 votes)

   #4 - Kingdom of the Blind

   S17:E46/20/2024

   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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   Director:Joe Mantegna

   Writers:Jayne A. Archer, Chikodili Agwuna
5. 

   7.5/10(476 votes)

   #5 - Conspiracy vs. Theory

   S17:E56/27/2024

   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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   Director:Sharat Raju

   Writer:Breen Frazier
6. 

   7.2/10(530 votes)

   #6 - Message in a Bottle

   S17:E67/4/2024

   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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   Director:Nelson McCormick

   Writers:Sullivan Fitzgerald, Carlton Gillespie
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7. 

   7.8/10(560 votes)

   #7 - Piranha

   S17:E77/11/2024

   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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   Director:Aisha Tyler

   Writers:Jayne A. Archer, Chikodili Agwuna
8. 

   7.8/10(493 votes)

   #8 - North Star

   S17:E87/18/2024

   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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   Director:Zach Gilford

   Writers:Christopher Barbour, Charles Dewey
9. 

   7.8/10(435 votes)

   #9 - Stars & Stripes

   S17:E97/25/2024

   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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   Director:Bethany Rooney

   Writer:Christopher Barbour
10. 

    7.7/10(475 votes)

    #10 - Save the Children

    S17:E108/1/2024

    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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    Director:Glenn Kershaw

    Writer:Breen Frazier