A review from a die-hard fan
Criminal Minds is my favorite crime drama. I have rewatched the entire show, all seasons, all episodes, more than 10 times through. Because of this, I know a thing or two about Dr. Spencer Reid, Morgan pulling himself out of the gutter, George Foyette, “Wheels Up”, and Baby Girl. After seeing each episode multiple times, I am 100% confident in the 10 greatest Criminal Minds episodes of all time (from my opinion). They are listed, in my personal preference order, below.
1. Mosley Lane (S5:E16)
The case of an abducted girl in Virginia leads the BAU to investigate a connected child abductor case from eight years ago. The team works fast to uncover how the unsubs pull off their crimes and where the children are being kept. Also, Evan Peters is in this episode.
2. Minimal Loss (S4:E3)
Prentiss and Reid go undercover in a cult compound to investigate child abuse. When a federal raid goes south, the two agents are then taken hostage. This episode is based off the 1993 Waco siege.
3. Riding The Lightning (S1:E14)
A married couple in Florida are on death row for the murder of 13 girls, but the BAU believes the wife is innocent. They investigate what her secret could be and why she’s pleading guilty against the clock of her execution. The character acting was very well done in this episode.
4. Hostage (S11:E14)
An 18-year-old escapes from a house where she and two other women had been held for years. After alerting for help, the BAU finds that one woman is near death and the other had been taken by the abductor trying to flee. This one had some good twists and turns.
5. The Wheels On The Bus (S8:E8)
A school bus full of high schoolers is taken hostage and disappears off the grid. As the search continues, the BAU discovers a twisted motive behind the abduction. This one always leaves a gut-wrench aftertaste.
6. Broken (S8:E15)
Victims are found wearing watches set inaccurately, leaving a clue for the BAU team. The unsub suffers a deep trauma from childhood that leads to his motive and question of self.
7. 100 (S5:E9)
When The Reaper returns to Washington, Hotchner and the team race to secure Haley and Jack’s safety while in witness protection. This one will have you crying.
8. Supply & Demand (S6:E24)
After two missing persons are found dead, the BAU looks into an interstate human trafficking ring. Meanwhile, an undercover cop goes missing and her disappearance is believed to be connected.
9. Foundation (S7:E18)
When a boy who was held captive is found in the desert and another boy goes missing, the BAU searches for a local kidnapper. Morgan uses his own personal past to bond with the rescued boy.
10. To Hell/And Back (S4:E25 + E26)
An army vet takes measures into his own hands to get the BAU to look into the disappearance of his sister and other missing homeless people. When another girl goes missing, the team is led on a cross-border hunt into Canada.