7.4/101,998 votes#1 - The Inspiration (1)
Season 9 Episode 1 - Aired 9/25/2013
The hunt for a methodical killer takes the BAU to Arizona to search for an increasingly devolving unsub, and the team speculates that Hotch is in the running to be the new BAU Section Chief following the death of Erin Strauss.
Director: Glenn Kershaw
Writer: Janine Sherman Barrois
7.5/101,933 votes#2 - The Inspired (2)
Season 9 Episode 2 - Aired 10/2/2013
As the BAU zeroes in on the suspect of the ritualistic killings they've been investigating in Arizona, a bizarre connection within the unsub's family could lead them to finally nab the suspect.
Director: Larry Teng
Writer: Breen Frazier
7.7/101,800 votes#3 - Final Shot
Season 9 Episode 3 - Aired 10/9/2013
When a sniper strikes Dallas, the BAU investigates whether the upcoming anniversary of the Kennedy assassination is a motivating factor or if something else is driving the unsub.
Director: Bethany Rooney
Writer: Sharon Lee Watson
7.5/101,957 votes#4 - To Bear Witness
Season 9 Episode 4 - Aired 10/16/2013
The BAU meets their new section chief, Mateo Cruz, who, unbeknownst to them, shares a long work history with JJ. Cruz joins the team as they comb the streets of Baltimore for an unsub who leaves victims unable to communicate.
Director: Rob Bailey
Writer: Erica Messer
7.7/101,906 votes#5 - Route 66
Season 9 Episode 5 - Aired 10/23/2013
As Hotch fights for his life due to complications from his stabbing at the hands of George Foyet, a.k.a. "The Reaper," he experiences visions of his late wife, Haley, and his nemesis, Foyet. Meanwhile, the BAU searches for a missing teenager and investigate her estranged father as a suspect in her disappearance.
Director: Douglas Aarniokoski
Writer: Virgil Williams
7.4/101,808 votes#6 - In The Blood
Season 9 Episode 6 - Aired 10/30/2013
The BAU are called to Utah to investigate the murder of a women who died by being buried under stones. All while Penelope plans a Day of the Dead party.
Director: Michael Lange
Writer: Bruce Zimmerman
7.8/102,495 votes#7 - Gatekeeper
Season 9 Episode 7 - Aired 11/6/2013
Though Rossi is sad because his favorite bar is closing, the team goes to Boston to solve a series of strangulations.
Director: Matthew Gray Gubler
Writer: Erica Messer
7.4/101,801 votes#8 - The Return
Season 9 Episode 8 - Aired 11/13/2013
When teenagers who were reported missing are suspected of a series of mass murders in Chicago, the BAU investigates their whereabouts to find a motive for the crimes. Also, Morgan has conflicting feelings when his girlfriend takes her job at a hospital as seriously as he takes his.
Director: John Terlesky
Writer: Kimberly A. Harrison
7.8/101,951 votes#9 - Strange Fruit
Season 9 Episode 9 - Aired 11/20/2013
When skeletons are discovered in the backyard of a home in Virginia, family secrets and past racial divisions are brought to light.
Director: Constantine Makris
Writer: Janine Sherman Barrois
8.0/102,269 votes#10 - The Caller
Season 9 Episode 10 - Aired 11/27/2013
When a young boy goes missing from his home in St. Louis, the BAU reinvestigates a similar cold case to search for the UnSub.
Director: Rob Bailey
Writer: Sharon Lee Watson
7.5/101,701 votes#11 - Bully
Season 9 Episode 11 - Aired 12/11/2013
When the BAU is called to Kansas City to investigate a series of murders, a tense reunion ensues between Blake and her father, a retired police captain, and her brother, a detective, who must work together to help solve the crime.
Director: Glenn Kershaw
Writer: Virgil Williams
7.4/102,523 votes#12 - The Black Queen
Season 9 Episode 12 - Aired 1/15/2014
A murder investigation leads to Garcia delving into her hacker past -- and reconnecting with her former love.
Director: Tawnia McKiernan
Writer: Breen Frazier
7.6/101,657 votes#13 - The Road Home (1)
Season 9 Episode 13 - Aired 1/22/2014
As the team searches for a vigilante killer in Cleveland, Rossi's former Marine sergeant goes missing in Los Angeles; J.J.'s secret catches up with her.
Director: Joe Mantegna
Writer: Bruce Zimmerman
8.1/102,292 votes#14 - 200 (2)
Season 9 Episode 14 - Aired 2/5/2014
When JJ is kidnapped, the BAU delves into her time at the State Department to find clues to her disappearance and uncover a secret mission that now puts her life in danger. To help with their search for JJ, the team calls upon Prentiss to help in the crisis
Director: Larry Teng
Writer: Rick Dunkle
7.4/101,667 votes#15 - Mr. & Mrs. Anderson
Season 9 Episode 15 - Aired 2/19/2014
The BAU travels to Pittsburgh on the hunt for a pair of suspects that appear to be working together as a team; Garcia and Morgan reveal their Valentine's Day plans for their respective significant others to each other.
Director: Félix Enríquez Alcalá
Writer: Kimberly A. Harrison
8.0/102,024 votes#16 - Gabby
Season 9 Episode 16 - Aired 2/26/2014
When a 4-year-old girl goes missing while staying with a relative in Mississippi, the BAU uncovers some startling truths as the team races to find the child and bring her to safety.
Director: Thomas Gibson
Writer: Jim Clemente
7.5/102,287 votes#17 - Persuasion
Season 9 Episode 17 - Aired 3/5/2014
The BAU must determine the true cause and motive when several drowned people are discovered in the Las Vegas desert.
Director: Rob Lieberman
Writer: Sharon Lee Watson
7.6/101,734 votes#18 - Rabid
Season 9 Episode 18 - Aired 3/12/2014
When three bodies are found with animal and human bite marks in a shallow grave near Milwaukee, the BAU has puzzling questions to answer. Meanwhile, Reid and Garcia work out for a company fitness test, but try to hide their preparation from Morgan.
Director: Douglas Aarniokoski
Writer: Virgil Williams
7.7/101,821 votes#19 - The Edge of Winter
Season 9 Episode 19 - Aired 3/19/2014
Morgan's visit with a survivor of unusual stabbings in upstate New York leads to more questions about the case.
Director: Hanelle M. Culpepper
Writer: Janine Sherman Barrois
7.9/102,570 votes#20 - Blood Relations
Season 9 Episode 20 - Aired 4/2/2014
Two murder victims are found in a West Virginia backwoods community. The investigation reveals that the homicides may be linked to a long-simmering feud between two families.
Director: Matthew Gray Gubler
Writer: Breen Frazier
7.4/101,932 votes#21 - What Happens in Mecklinburg...
Season 9 Episode 21 - Aired 4/9/2014
The team searches for a commonality when a series of target abductions take place; Savannah is frustrated with Morgan's traveling.
Director: Rob Hardy
Writer: Ticona S. Joy
7.4/101,896 votes#22 - Fatal
Season 9 Episode 22 - Aired 4/30/2014
Victims of arsenic poisoning are found in Long Beach. The investigation reveals that the killer has a fascination with Greek mythology, based on handwritten death threats to the deceased and other mysterious clues. Meanwhile, Hotch becomes concerned about participating in Jack's third-grade career day.
Director: Larry Teng
Writer: Bruce Zimmerman
8.2/102,230 votes#23 - Angels (1)
Season 9 Episode 23 - Aired 5/7/2014
When prostitutes are murdered in Texas, their deaths seem to have religious overtones; members of the team are put at risk throughout the course of the investigation.
Director: Rob Bailey
Writer: Janine Sherman Barrois, Rick Dunkle, Breen Frazier
8.6/102,694 votes#24 - Demons (2)
Season 9 Episode 24 - Aired 5/14/2014
The investigation in Texas reveals a deep web of corruption; Garcia must save a friend.
Director: Glenn Kershaw
Writer: Erica Messer
The Best Episodes of Criminal Minds Season 9
Every episode of Criminal Minds Season 9 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Criminal Minds Season 9!
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 9 Ratings Summary
"The Inspiration (1)" is the best rated episode of "Criminal Minds" season 9. It scored 7.4/10 based on 1998 votes. Directed by Glenn Kershaw and written by Janine Sherman Barrois, it aired on 9/25/2013. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "The Inspired (2)".