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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!

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...
Genres:CrimeDramaMystery
Networks:CBSParamount+

Season 17 Ratings Summary

"Gold Star" is the best rated episode of "Criminal Minds" season 17. It scored 8/10 based on 470 votes. Directed by Douglas Aarniokoski and written by Erica Messer, it aired on 6/6/2024. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Contagion".

  • Gold Star
    8.0/10470 votes

    #1 - Gold Star

    Season 17 Episode 1 - Aired 6/6/2024

    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

  • Contagion
    7.8/10418 votes

    #2 - Contagion

    Season 17 Episode 2 - Aired 6/6/2024

    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

  • Homesick
    7.3/10372 votes

    #3 - Homesick

    Season 17 Episode 3 - Aired 6/13/2024

    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

    Writer: Sullivan Fitzgerald, Carlton Gillespie

  • Kingdom of the Blind
    7.5/10352 votes

    #4 - Kingdom of the Blind

    Season 17 Episode 4 - Aired 6/20/2024

    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

    Writer: Jayne A. Archer, Chikodili Agwuna

  • Conspiracy vs. Theory
    7.5/10320 votes

    #5 - Conspiracy vs. Theory

    Season 17 Episode 5 - Aired 6/27/2024

    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

  • Message in a Bottle
    7.2/10346 votes

    #6 - Message in a Bottle

    Season 17 Episode 6 - Aired 7/4/2024

    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

    Writer: Sullivan Fitzgerald, Carlton Gillespie

  • Piranha
    7.9/10365 votes

    #7 - Piranha

    Season 17 Episode 7 - Aired 7/11/2024

    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

    Writer: Jayne A. Archer, Chikodili Agwuna

  • North Star
    7.8/10314 votes

    #8 - North Star

    Season 17 Episode 8 - Aired 7/18/2024

    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

    Writer: Christopher Barbour, Charles Dewey

  • Stars & Stripes
    7.8/10262 votes

    #9 - Stars & Stripes

    Season 17 Episode 9 - Aired 7/25/2024

    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

  • Save the Children
    7.6/10268 votes

    #10 - Save the Children

    Season 17 Episode 10 - Aired 8/1/2024

    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