10 Legal Minds Episodes That Are Thought of Masterpieces

This text discusses horrific crimes like pedophilia, incest, torture, and demise.

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Criminal Minds is considered top-of-the-line crime dramas of all time, however sure episodes are particularly distinctive. For twenty years, the fictionalized model of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) has taken down terrifying antagonists often known as “unsubs” (or “unknown topics”). Regardless of the distinctive serial killers created, nevertheless, the particular brokers are the guts of the collection.

All through the 15 seasons of Criminal Minds’ iconic original run—and the three seasons of its continuation, Legal Minds: Evolution— there have been numerous assaults, shootouts, investigations, and deaths. Some keep contemporary within the thoughts due to their terrifying premises, however many Legal Minds episodes turn out to be masterpieces once they tackle one thing larger and have an effect on the primary characters within the course of.

10

Driving The Lightning

Season 1, Episode 14

There are many disturbing Criminal Minds unsubs, however season 1’s “Driving the Lightning” took the novel method of introducing a wrongly-convicted unsub. The episode follows the alleged killing staff of Jacob and Sarah Jean Dawes, convicted of killing over a dozen younger girls and sentenced to demise by electrocution— the catch being that Sarah Jean was truly harmless.

Regardless of the race to uncover the reality, the ending leaves you devastated, enraged, or frozen in shock. Consumed by guilt, Sarah Jean accepts her execution and has a jarring closing want. Her presumed-dead son is alive with no data of his true mother and father, and Sarah Jean needs the BAU to maintain the key. The twist, whereas heartbreaking, is painfully justifiable.

9

Entropy

Season 11, Episode 11

Except for being the introduction to Aubrey Plaza’s legendary Criminal Minds villain— hitwoman Cat Adams— “Entropy” was a brilliantly framed episode that confirmed off the true ability of Matthew Grey Gubler’s Spencer Reid. Because the title suggests, “Entropy” is about chaos, dysfunction, and unpredictability. After an undercover operation goes awry, Cat turns the desk on the BAU, holding Reid hostage.

The pair volley psychological techniques, Cat urgent Reid for private info whereas the FBI tries to covertly regain the higher hand. Reid lastly strikes the final word nerve for Cat (her father), however he has to take away his personal armor within the course of, admitting his mom is creating dementia. It kickstarts an unforgettable arc, however “Entropy” is a surprising standalone episode.

8

Penelope

Season 3, Episode 9

Kirsten Vangsness’ Penelope Garcia is arguably the most important character in Criminal Minds, however she felt considerably untouchable within the early seasons. Garcia existed in one other world, surrounded by a wall of computer systems whereas the staff was within the subject. But, in season 3, every thing adjustments after an angel of demise masquerading as Prince Charming arranges a faux meet-cute.

Jason Clark Battle organized his “probability” encounter with Garcia, taking her out on a date earlier than taking pictures her within the chest. The fallout was emotional for the entire staff, nevertheless it revealed Penelope used her energy in unauthorized charity instances, which put her on Battle’s radar. “Penelope” was a tense, nuanced episode which sadly haunted Garcia for years to return.

7

Minimal Loss

Season 4, Episode 3

There’s demise in each Legal Minds episode, nevertheless it feels totally different when a BAU member is at risk. Season 4’s “Minimal Loss” upped the ante by having each Reid and Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster) trapped by pedophilic cult chief, Benjamin Cyrus. His smooth-talking powers of persuasion make Cyrus one in all Criminal Minds‘ most memorable unsubs, however charisma can kill.

From Reid infiltrating the cult utilizing his memorized bible verses to Prentiss being tortured to the remainder of the BAU working from the skin, this episode stored viewers continuously on the sting of their seats. Moreover, the dramatic end— when the brainwashed teenager units off a bomb and Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) narrowly escapes alive— is devastating but cinematic.

6

Lauren

Season 6, Episode 18

When Emily Prentiss faked her death in Criminal Minds, it was the fruits of her years of undercover work with Interpol. For the viewers, nevertheless, it was an onslaught of brand-new info that defined Emily’s connection to terrorist Ian Doyle. Her previous life as “Lauren Reynolds” was unveiled piece by piece, prompting characters like Morgan to rethink their whole relationship.

The combo of flashbacks to the high-octane motion of the current investigation made “Lauren” an anxiety-inducing episode, nevertheless it was chargeable for some of the attention-grabbing subplots within the present’s historical past. Prentiss season 2 introduction was abrupt, however the mysterious and pleasantly disjointed “Lauren” proved nothing was really because it appeared— together with a full-blown funeral.

5

Revelations

Season 2, Episode 15

Some episodes are lauded for the way they operate as a single storyline, others are praised for the convoluted arcs they launch, however “Revelations” is the perfect of each worlds. Undeniably top-of-the-line Reid-centric episodes of Criminal Minds, “Revelations” follows Spencer after being kidnapped by Tobias Hankle, troubled by clashing personalities of his deceased father and the archangel Raphael.

“Revelations” is basically the equal of watching somebody be traumatized in actual time, however Reid’s tragedy is what makes the episode some of the compelling. Hankle drugged Reid, inciting an dependancy storyline that, coupled with the gut-wrenching childhood neglect “Revelations” revealed, deepened the stereotypical genius character. Completely modified Reid as an individual and agent, the episode was grotesquely fascinating.

4

Profiler, Profiled

Season 2, Episode 12

Derek Morgan’s position in Legal Minds was initially nothing greater than buff eye sweet— the brawn of the staff who shook his head at Reid’s nerdy ramblings and kicked down doorways with a vengeance. Nonetheless, his seemingly shallow character was unraveled in “Profiler, Profiled” after Morgan was focused and arrested in his hometown for an unsolved homicide.

The episode went as far as to have the staff start doubting Morgan’s innocence (below the strain of some overtly racist detectives), however the decision was a sucker punch to the abdomen. Shemar Moore’s efficiency as he confronts the true killer— a baby molester who led the neighborhood’s youth group— is a tearjerker that by no means loses its shock worth.

3

Seven Seconds

Season 3, Episode 5

Most Legal Minds instances ship the BAU everywhere in the nation for his or her investigation, conserving the staff and unsub continuously in movement. “Seven Seconds” is an ideal deviation from method, going down utterly in a locked-down mall. The case is a posh, realistically chaotic take a look at a baby’s abduction, however the tight-knit household that known as it in slowly falls aside.

“Seven Seconds” is one in all many Legal Minds episodes impressed by actual instances— on this occasion, the crimes of Richard Allen Davis.

The lacking baby, a 6-year-old named Katie, had been sexually abused by her uncle, unbeknownst to her mother and father. Katie’s aunt, conscious of the molestation however vengeful over her failed marriage, tried to copy a current baby’s homicide. “Seven Seconds” is the closest factor Legal Minds has to a bottle episode, however that doesn’t imply it’s missing intrigue or surprising twists.

2

Mosley Lane

Season 5, Episode 16

Essentially the most beloved instances within the procedural’s historical past are typically the Criminal Minds episodes directed by Matthew Gray Gubler, however “Mosley Lane” is head and shoulders above the remaining. The case was a spine-chilling story, because the murderous Roycewoods kidnapped kids in plain sight and cremated their victims alive in the event that they grew too previous or rebellious.

The BAU manages to save lots of three kids, however Legal Minds’ most haunting scene occurs when two mother and father study their son died simply earlier than assist arrived. In a second of horrific realization, the daddy chokes out “He was alive yesterday?” earlier than sobbing. The episode was already nice, however its bittersweet ending made it top-of-the-line ever.

1

100

Season 5, Episode 9

For Legal Minds’ milestone one centesimal episode, the crime drama went no-holds-barred for its centennial case. After George Foyet— aka “The Reaper”— focused Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) all through season 4, their closing showdown turned the bookend of season 5’s “100.” The story, instructed by interviews and flashbacks, is actually one for the historical past books.

For the primary 5 seasons, Hotch’s ex-wife, Haley, and his son, Jack, have been his one weak spot. “100” weaponized that easy reality when the Reaper lured Haley right into a lure and made Hotch hear over the telephone as he killed Haley in Criminal Minds’ most tragic death. But, the Reaper wouldn’t be glad till Hotch misplaced every thing— together with his younger son.

Hotch and Foyet’s scuffle ends in a brutal, nearly animalistic killing by the BAU Chief, however Jack is discovered alive in his secret hiding place and Hotch is acquitted by his inner evaluation staff. From the narrative to the performing to the digicam work to small particulars just like the music, “100” is just an ideal episode of Legal Minds.

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