8.0/102,290 votes#1 - It Takes a Village
Season 7 Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/2011
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
7.9/102,116 votes#2 - Proof
Season 7 Episode 2 - Aired 9/28/2011
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
7.7/102,134 votes#3 - Dorado Falls
Season 7 Episode 3 - Aired 10/5/2011
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 Enríquez Alcalá
Writer: Sharon Lee Watson
7.8/102,446 votes#4 - Painless
Season 7 Episode 4 - Aired 10/12/2011
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
7.4/101,873 votes#5 - From Childhood's Hour
Season 7 Episode 5 - Aired 10/19/2011
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
7.4/101,943 votes#6 - Epilogue
Season 7 Episode 6 - Aired 11/2/2011
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
7.2/102,008 votes#7 - There's No Place Like Home
Season 7 Episode 7 - Aired 11/9/2011
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
7.6/102,629 votes#8 - Hope
Season 7 Episode 8 - Aired 11/16/2011
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
7.7/101,817 votes#9 - Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Season 7 Episode 9 - Aired 12/7/2011
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
7.2/101,878 votes#10 - The Bittersweet Science
Season 7 Episode 10 - Aired 12/14/2011
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
8.4/102,936 votes#11 - True Genius
Season 7 Episode 11 - Aired 1/18/2012
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
8.0/101,966 votes#12 - Unknown Subject
Season 7 Episode 12 - Aired 1/25/2012
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
7.2/102,569 votes#13 - Snake Eyes
Season 7 Episode 13 - Aired 2/8/2012
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
7.2/101,812 votes#14 - Closing Time
Season 7 Episode 14 - Aired 2/15/2012
The team hunts a killer when bodies are found hidden in lifeguard towers on Southern California beaches.
Director: Jesse Warn
Writer: Rick Dunkle
7.3/101,839 votes#15 - A Thin Line
Season 7 Episode 15 - Aired 2/22/2012
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
7.5/101,876 votes#16 - A Family Affair
Season 7 Episode 16 - Aired 2/29/2012
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
7.3/102,555 votes#17 - I Love You, Tommy Brown
Season 7 Episode 17 - Aired 3/14/2012
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
7.9/101,915 votes#18 - Foundation
Season 7 Episode 18 - Aired 3/21/2012
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
8.0/102,878 votes#19 - Heathridge Manor
Season 7 Episode 19 - Aired 4/4/2012
The BAU team heads to Oregon to investigate a series of gothic, ritualistic murders.
Director: Matthew Gray Gubler
Writer: Sharon Lee Watson
8.1/101,954 votes#20 - The Company
Season 7 Episode 20 - Aired 4/11/2012
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
7.4/101,825 votes#21 - Divining Rod
Season 7 Episode 21 - Aired 5/2/2012
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
8.0/101,962 votes#22 - Profiling 101
Season 7 Episode 22 - Aired 5/9/2012
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 Enríquez Alcalá
Writer: Virgil Williams
8.4/102,302 votes#23 - Hit (1)
Season 7 Episode 23 - Aired 5/16/2012
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
8.5/102,353 votes#24 - Run (2)
Season 7 Episode 24 - Aired 5/16/2012
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
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!
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
Season 7 Ratings Summary
"It Takes a Village" is the best rated episode of "Criminal Minds" season 7. It scored 8/10 based on 2290 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".