Inviting viewers into the minds of a number of the most nefarious unknown topics, or unsubs, the aptly-named Felony Minds first aired in 2005 and has since spanned a number of spin-off sequence. In every season, the Behavioral Evaluation Unit, or BAU, was tasked with placing collectively a legal profile. These profiles have been then used to higher perceive why the sequence’ antagonists turned to their lives of crime, how they operated, and what may very well be accomplished to cease them.
Amongst followers, a number of episodes have change into particularly noteworthy for his or her sudden storylines, grotesque crimes, and terrifying unsubs. However with over 300 episodes within the unique sequence, it may be exhausting to choose a favourite, and it is unsurprising that most of the sequence’ greatest episodes stay criminally underrated.
From plot-critical episodes to ones that did one thing a bit of totally different from Felony Minds’ norm, the ten underrated episodes on this listing all provide one thing particular on a rewatch.
10
“Tabula Rasa”
Season 3, Episode 19
Beginning with a flashback, the episode “Tabula Rasa” facilities on an alleged killer named Brian Matloff (Eric Lange), who turns into comatose after falling off a constructing throughout a chase. He awakens 4 years later claiming to not keep in mind his crimes, however because the accusations from BAU agent Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) proceed, he begins to fret about his personal guilt. Concurrently, the crew debates whether or not a person who cannot keep in mind his crimes deserves to be sentenced for them, leaving the viewer to confront comparable questions of their very own.
Compelling and Thought-Upsetting
“Tabula Rasa” brings up some necessary philosophical questions and familial drama, and it does not draw back from their complexities. It additionally performs with flashbacks to develop Matloff and his crimes. Towards the top, it turns into exhausting to not really feel dangerous for Matloff, who looks like a separate man fully from the one who allegedly dedicated homicide. On the similar time, it is exhausting to not sympathize with the victims’ households who need justice, even when jailing Matloff may not be their reply to acquiring it.
9
“The Wheels on the Bus”
Season 8, Episode 8
When a bunch of youngsters on a bus are kidnapped, the BAU springs into motion to seek out them. However they may by no means have anticipated that the teenagers have been being held by avid gamers who wished to recreate a online game in real-life. After selecting groups and arming their gamers, the abductors start to play, placing their gamers’ lives in jeopardy all for the fun of a win.
Over-the-High and Traumatic
Admittedly, this episode is form of weird, and it is actually among the many most divisive. Its over-the-top nature lends to some darkly humorous moments, and the concept of video video games inflicting this stage of violence lands someplace between scary and comically absurd. Followers of the demise recreation style could have loads to take pleasure in, whereas viewers excited about extra traditional Felony Minds could be higher off with another choice.
8
“Rabid”
Season 9, Episode 18
After a number of useless our bodies with chunk marks are found, the BAU is known as in to analyze. Nonetheless, issues take a daunting flip after they notice the victims have been contaminated with rabies. Now, it is a race to seek out the unsub and cease him earlier than he can infect his subsequent goal, all whereas making an attempt to grasp how somebody might commit a criminal offense so heinous.
Disturbing and Miserable
A horrifying premise, “Rabid” is an upsetting watch, each due to what occurs to the victims and due to the unsub’s reasoning behind his crime. Plus, it has a cute subplot involving Reid (Matthew Grey Gubler), Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness), and Morgan (Shemar Moore). The precise depiction of rabies could be a bit fictionalized, however that is straightforward to miss, given how the fictional components serve the plot by making the state of affairs much more disturbing.
7
“The Large Wheel”
Season 4, Episode 22
An actual property agent turns up useless, together with her killer, Vincent Rowlings (Alex O’Loughlin), writing out a message: “Assist me.” The BAU brokers quickly be taught of twenty-two comparable circumstances involving blonde girls. Because the case unfolds, they notice that the killer has OCD and has one thing large deliberate on the twenty ninth, giving them little time to profile, discover, and cease the assassin earlier than he strikes once more.
Uncomfortable and Unlucky
Vincent’s story is among the many saddest in Felony Minds, with him seemingly desirous to cease killing however being unable to struggle his compulsions. Whereas some viewers may not recognize this depiction of OCD, we predict that Vincent was finally a sympathetic character, even when his actions have been unforgivable.
6
“Self-Fulfilling Prophecy”
Season 7, Episode 9
When 5 college students at a navy academy are discovered useless, the administration claims {that a} mass suicide has taken place. Nonetheless, the BAU thinks {that a} totally different pupil could be accountable. As they rush to seek out him, they quickly notice that others are trying to find him as nicely, and their preliminary idea could be overlooking an supposed sufferer.
Twists and Turns
Full of twists and turns, “Self-Fulfilling Prophecy” is a type of episodes the place you are undecided what to anticipate, however you are alongside for the journey all the way in which. It is a chilling look into the pitfalls of energy and groupthink. Plus, lots of the characters’ behaviors make extra sense upon a second viewing, making for an pleasant, tension-packed rewatch.
5
“No Means Out”
Season 2, Episode 13
Season 2’s finale “No Means Out” begins with brokers Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin) and Derek Morgan in a diner throughout from an particularly sinister serial killer named Frank Breitkopf (Keith Carradine). Frank has killed over 100 folks, preserving their rib bones as trophies. The brokers are on the lookout for his newest goal, hopeful that she’s nonetheless alive, however Frank has a objective of his personal involving a lady he believes he loves.
Ominous and Impactful
One of many earlier episodes, it may be straightforward to neglect simply how large of an influence “No Means Out” had. Frank had one of many greater physique counts within the present, to not point out an particularly torturous technique of killing, and his actions performed a big position in Gideon’s later choice to go away the BAU. In some ways, Frank laid the blueprint for what was to come back when it comes to Felony Minds’ later killers.
4
“Heathridge Manor”
Season 7, Episode 19
James Heathridge (Kyle Gallner) was decided to seek out and kill the Satan’s Wives. He’d kidnap girls and try to drown them, and in the event that they survived, it “proved” their Satanic id. When he started to consider that his personal sister, Lara (Madeleine Martin), was one of many Wives, she knew she did not have a lot time left. Even when the BAU managed to avoid wasting her, the episode’s ending advised that one thing much more sinister would get her as an alternative.
Supernatural and Horrifying
Directed by Matthew Grey Gubler, “Heathridge Manor” leans closely into horror, with the ending implying one thing supernatural was at play. Plus, Robert Englund, identified for taking part in Freddy Krueger, made a particular visitor look. This episode is totally different from many others, and whereas it will not be a success with all viewers, it undeniably provides one thing particular. To be honest, not like the opposite episodes on this listing, many viewers already think about this episode among the many greatest within the sequence; we merely suppose it deserves to be even greater on their lists.
3
“The Tall Man”
Season 14, Episode 5
JJ returns to her hometown to assist clear up the thriller of three women gone lacking. One shortly reappears, claiming that she noticed an city legend, “the Tall Man,” who cuts folks till they reveal their darkest secrets and techniques. As she uncovers extra in regards to the case, cracks within the woman’s story start to look, and JJ begins to suspect that her older sister’s demise years earlier could be linked.
Character-Constructing and Creepy
One other episode directed by Gubler, “The Tall Man” invokes a lot of the horror that made different episodes on this listing so memorable. Like “Heathridge Manor,” the road between supernatural and unsub is blurred, including one other layer of thriller. Plus, JJ is a fan favourite, and it is a actually good JJ-centric storyline.
2
“Secure Haven”
Season 6, Episode 5
A sequence of households are murdered of their properties, and the crime scenes solely add to the confusion of who might have accomplished it. Because the crew goes to analyze, it turns into clear that the unsub is a youngster. Equally disturbing, he has a rating to settle along with his family, and the brokers must get to him earlier than he can get to his mother and sister.
Surprising and Unsettling
The reveal that a youngster is behind the killings is stunning, however the killer’s obvious lack of regret is even worse. Plus, the state of affairs between him and his mom is deeply unsettling. Add to this a very good aspect story involving Morgan and foster-home-runaway Ellie Spicer (Isabella Murad), and the episode is an ideal mix of so many qualities that make Felony Minds nice.
1
“North Mammon”
Season 2, Episode 7
Three highschool soccer stars are kidnapped, and the BAU steps in to seek out them. However their search will not be straightforward, largely as a consequence of an absence of assist from the ladies’ hometown. As they proceed their search, the unsub tells the ladies that solely two of them can depart alive, forcing them to decide on which considered one of them will die.
‘Noticed’-Like and Sinister
“North Mammon” is an particularly messed-up episode, pitting three greatest associates towards one another in a Noticed-like struggle for survival. The city’s refusal to take their abduction significantly provides one other layer of pressure and frustration. Plus, the crew discovers early on that the unsub is somebody from mentioned city, making it exhausting to not suspect every new character and query who they are surely. Briefly, this episode is traditional Felony Minds with added depth, and it is nicely price a rewatch.
Felony Minds
- Launch Date
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September 22, 2005
- Community
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CBS, Paramount+
- Showrunner
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Erica Messer
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Kirsten Vangsness
Penelope Garcia
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Matthew Grey Gubler
Dr. Spencer Reid
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A.J. Cook dinner
Jennifer Jareau
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