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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!

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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 most experienced agent is David Rossi, a founding member of

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 1 - The Inspiration (1)
    7.4/10(2109 votes)

    #1 - The Inspiration (1)

    S9:E1

    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

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  2. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 2 - The Inspired (2)
    7.5/10(2037 votes)

    #2 - The Inspired (2)

    S9:E2

    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

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  3. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 3 - Final Shot
    7.7/10(1911 votes)

    #3 - Final Shot

    S9:E3

    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

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  4. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 4 - To Bear Witness
    7.5/10(2069 votes)

    #4 - To Bear Witness

    S9:E4

    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

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  5. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 5 - Route 66
    7.7/10(2031 votes)

    #5 - Route 66

    S9:E5

    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

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  6. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 6 - In the Blood
    7.4/10(1914 votes)

    #6 - In the Blood

    S9:E6

    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

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  7. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 7 - Gatekeeper
    7.8/10(2604 votes)

    #7 - Gatekeeper

    S9:E7

    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

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  8. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 8 - The Return
    7.4/10(1903 votes)

    #8 - The Return

    S9:E8

    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

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  9. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 9 - Strange Fruit
    7.8/10(2075 votes)

    #9 - Strange Fruit

    S9:E9

    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

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  10. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 10 - The Caller
    8.1/10(2375 votes)

    #10 - The Caller

    S9:E10

    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

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  11. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 11 - Bully
    7.5/10(1801 votes)

    #11 - Bully

    S9:E11

    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

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  12. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 12 - The Black Queen
    7.4/10(2639 votes)

    #12 - The Black Queen

    S9:E12

    A murder investigation leads to Garcia delving into her hacker past -- and reconnecting with her former love.

    Director:Tawnia McKiernan
    Writer:Breen Frazier

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  13. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 13 - The Road Home (1)
    7.6/10(1760 votes)

    #13 - The Road Home (1)

    S9:E13

    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

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  14. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 14 - 200 (2)
    8.2/10(2422 votes)

    #14 - 200 (2)

    S9:E14

    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

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  15. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 15 - Mr. & Mrs. Anderson
    7.4/10(1764 votes)

    #15 - Mr. & Mrs. Anderson

    S9:E15

    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 Alcalá
    Writer:Kimberly A. Harrison

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  16. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 16 - Gabby
    8.1/10(2139 votes)

    #16 - Gabby

    S9:E16

    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

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  17. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 17 - Persuasion
    7.5/10(2378 votes)

    #17 - Persuasion

    S9:E17

    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

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  18. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 18 - Rabid
    7.6/10(1837 votes)

    #18 - Rabid

    S9:E18

    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

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  19. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 19 - The Edge of Winter
    7.7/10(1930 votes)

    #19 - The Edge of Winter

    S9:E19

    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

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  20. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 20 - Blood Relations
    7.9/10(2681 votes)

    #20 - Blood Relations

    S9:E20

    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

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  21. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 21 - What Happens in Mecklinburg...
    7.4/10(2028 votes)

    #21 - What Happens in Mecklinburg...

    S9:E21

    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

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  22. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 22 - Fatal
    7.4/10(1989 votes)

    #22 - Fatal

    S9:E22

    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

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  23. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 23 - Angels (1)
    8.2/10(2348 votes)

    #23 - Angels (1)

    S9:E23

    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
    Writers:Janine Sherman Barrois, Rick Dunkle, Breen Frazier

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  24. Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 24 - Demons (2)
    8.7/10(2831 votes)

    #24 - Demons (2)

    S9:E24

    The investigation in Texas reveals a deep web of corruption; Garcia must save a friend.

    Director:Glenn Kershaw
    Writer:Erica Messer

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Season 9 Ratings Summary

"The Inspiration (1)" is the best rated episode of "Criminal Minds" season 9. It scored 7.4/10 based on 2109 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)".