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The Best Episodes of Criminal Minds Season 7

Every episode of Criminal Minds Season 7 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Criminal Minds Season 7!

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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 7 Episode 1 - It Takes a Village
    8.0/10(2434 votes)

    #1 - It Takes a Village

    S7:E1

    The BAU team is at a crossroads as they are questioned by a Senate Committee for their retaliatory actions in the wake of Prentiss' loss, but an unexpected familiar face could help them win their case and keep the team together.

    Director:Glenn Kershaw
    Writer:Erica Messer

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  2. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 2 - Proof
    7.9/10(2253 votes)

    #2 - Proof

    S7:E2

    The BAU team searches rural Oklahoma when women are being found murdered after being robbed of one of their five senses. Also, JJ and Prentiss get the cold shoulder from Reid as he deals with their deception about Prentiss' presumed death.

    Director:Karen Gaviola
    Writer:Janine Sherman Barrois

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  3. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 3 - Dorado Falls
    7.7/10(2264 votes)

    #3 - Dorado Falls

    S7:E3

    The BAU team investigates a mass murder at an Internet security company in Charlottesville, Va., but clues reveal it is not a typical serial killer at work.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:Sharon Lee Watson

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  4. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 4 - Painless
    7.8/10(2586 votes)

    #4 - Painless

    S7:E4

    Survivors of a Boise high school massacre return to remember the event 10 years later, but the BAU team is called in when a new killer with a similar style targets the survivors. Also, Hotch is worried that his son, Jack, may be a victim of school bullying.

    Director:Larry Teng
    Writer:Breen Frazier

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  5. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 5 - From Childhood's Hour
    7.4/10(1990 votes)

    #5 - From Childhood's Hour

    S7:E5

    The BAU team investigates the abductions of young children with troubled mothers in St. Louis. Also, Rossi reconnects with his first wife who has shocking news for him.

    Director:Anna Foerster
    Writer:Bruce Zimmerman

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  6. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 6 - Epilogue
    7.4/10(2063 votes)

    #6 - Epilogue

    S7:E6

    The BAU search Californias Angeles National Forest after a number of bodies mysteriously turn up in the mountain lakes there. Also, Rossi struggles with an agonizing decision regarding his ex-wife, Carolyn.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writer:Rick Dunkle

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  7. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 7 - There's No Place Like Home
    7.2/10(2123 votes)

    #7 - There's No Place Like Home

    S7:E7

    When a series of tornadoes hits Kansas, the BAU is called in to investigate bodies of young boys that turn up in the aftermath of the storms. Also, work pressures cause tension on JJ's home front.

    Director:Rob Spera
    Writer:Virgil Williams

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  8. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 8 - Hope
    7.6/10(2753 votes)

    #8 - Hope

    S7:E8

    It’s personal for Garcia when the BAU investigate the disappearance of a woman in her survivors’ support group whose daughter went missing seven years earlier.

    Director:Michael W. Watkins
    Writer:Kimberly A. Harrison

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  9. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 9 - Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
    7.7/10(1936 votes)

    #9 - Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

    S7:E9

    The BAU team looks into the real reasons behind an apparent mass suicide of a small group of youths at a military academy. Also, Hotch and Morgan butt heads when a team member could be in jeopardy.

    Director:Charles Haid
    Writer:Erica Messer

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  10. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 10 - The Bittersweet Science
    7.2/10(1994 votes)

    #10 - The Bittersweet Science

    S7:E10

    The investigation of a series of bludgeonings in Philadelphia leads the team to the city's boxing scene; Hotch connects with a fellow runner while training for the triathlon.

    Director:Rob Hardy
    Writer:Janine Sherman Barrois

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  11. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 11 - True Genius
    8.4/10(3075 votes)

    #11 - True Genius

    S7:E11

    A series of murders in San Francisco bearing the tell-tale signs of the infamous Zodiac Killer have the BAU wondering if the notorious serial killer has returned. Also, Reid ponders if he should be doing more with his genius abilities.

    Director:Glenn Kershaw
    Writer:Sharon Lee Watson

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  12. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 12 - Unknown Subject
    8.0/10(2102 votes)

    #12 - Unknown Subject

    S7:E12

    The team is called to Texas to search for a serial rapist in Houston known as "The Piano Man" who has returned and is attacking his past victims. Meanwhile, Prentiss begins to deal with the traumatic experience caused by Ian Doyle after returning to the BAU.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:Breen Frazier

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  13. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 13 - Snake Eyes
    7.2/10(2691 votes)

    #13 - Snake Eyes

    S7:E13

    The BAU tries their luck in Atlantic City when the team is called in to investigate a series of ritualistic casino-related murders. Also, after a spat with her boyfriend, Kevin, Garcia thinks she and Morgan may have gotten a little too friendly with each other.

    Director:Douglas Aarniokoski
    Writer:Bruce Zimmerman

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  14. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 14 - Closing Time
    7.2/10(1931 votes)

    #14 - Closing Time

    S7:E14

    The team hunts a killer when bodies are found hidden in lifeguard towers on Southern California beaches.

    Director:Jesse Warn
    Writer:Rick Dunkle

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  15. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 15 - A Thin Line
    7.3/10(1958 votes)

    #15 - A Thin Line

    S7:E15

    The BAU team investigates a series of brutal home invasions and murders in California's Inland Empire that appear to be gang-related, but their investigation may uncover a more sinister motivation.

    Director:Michael W. Watkins
    Writer:Virgil Williams

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  16. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 16 - A Family Affair
    7.5/10(2001 votes)

    #16 - A Family Affair

    S7:E16

    When the BAU travels to Atlanta to investigate the murders of women, the clues lead them to look for an unsub who is not working alone.

    Director:Rob Spera
    Writer:Kimberly A. Harrison

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  17. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 17 - I Love You, Tommy Brown
    7.3/10(2677 votes)

    #17 - I Love You, Tommy Brown

    S7:E17

    When married couples fostering young children end up being killed in Seattle, the BAU team looks for an unsub with a maternal-yet-murderous instinct. Also, Garcia fears a possible proposition from Kevin.

    Director:John Terlesky
    Writer:Janine Sherman Barrois

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  18. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 18 - Foundation
    7.9/10(2053 votes)

    #18 - Foundation

    S7:E18

    The team hunts for a kidnapper when an emaciated boy is found in the desert and another goes missing.

    Director:Dermott Downs
    Writer:Jim Clemente

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  19. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 19 - Heathridge Manor
    8.0/10(3035 votes)

    #19 - Heathridge Manor

    S7:E19

    The BAU team heads to Oregon to investigate a series of gothic, ritualistic murders.

    Director:Matthew Gray Gubler
    Writer:Sharon Lee Watson

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  20. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 20 - The Company
    8.2/10(2097 votes)

    #20 - The Company

    S7:E20

    When Morgan's sister sees a woman who looks like their presumed-dead cousin, Cindi, it forces Morgan to confront a lie he told his family last year to provide closure and compels the BAU to reopen the case of her disappearance.

    Director:Nelson McCormick
    Writer:Breen Frazier

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  21. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 21 - Divining Rod
    7.4/10(1940 votes)

    #21 - Divining Rod

    S7:E21

    A serial killer is executed, in Oklahoma, a copycat shows up and the BAU are called to find him. Meanwhile, Prentiss gets nervous about a real estate purchase.

    Director:Douglas Aarniokoski
    Writer:Bruce Zimmerman

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  22. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 22 - Profiling 101
    8.1/10(2091 votes)

    #22 - Profiling 101

    S7:E22

    Rossi and the team teach college students the science of criminal profiling by taking the class through a serial-killer case that spanned 20 years.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:Virgil Williams

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  23. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 23 - Hit (1)
    8.4/10(2455 votes)

    #23 - Hit (1)

    S7:E23

    When the BAU goes up against a gang of serial-killing bank robbers in Washington, D.C., the team tries to negotiate the situation unfolding inside the bank, but the stakes rise when one of their own becomes a hostage.

    Director:Michael Lange
    Writer:Rick Dunkle

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  24. Criminal Minds Season 7 Episode 24 - Run (2)
    8.5/10(2502 votes)

    #24 - Run (2)

    S7:E24

    As the BAU team continues to pursue the bank-robbing serial killers, the team determines that the suspects have a bigger target in the Nation's capital, and with one of the team still a hostage, they must work quickly to diffuse an explosive situation. Also, wedding bells ring for one of the BAU, and Prentiss ponders her future.

    Director:Glenn Kershaw
    Writer:Erica Messer

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Season 7 Ratings Summary

"It Takes a Village" is the best rated episode of "Criminal Minds" season 7. It scored 8/10 based on 2434 votes. Directed by Glenn Kershaw and written by Erica Messer, it aired on 9/21/2011. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Proof".