criminal minds but only the 50 best/most important/most memorable episodes:
1x09
2x11, 2x12, 2x13, 2x14, 2x15, 2x23
3x01, 3x05, 3x16, 3x19
4x03, 4x18, 4x20, 4x24
5x01, 5x09, 5x12, 5x16
6x09
7x07, 7x09, 7x13, 7x17, 7x18, 7x20, 7x22
8x10, 8x12, 8x15, 8x18
9x05
10x03, 10x08, 10x13, 10x16, 10x21
11x09, 11x11, 11x16, 11x18, 11x22
12x05, 12x12, 12x13
13x06, 13x09, 13x16, 13x19
14x05
these are all, of course, a matter of personal opinion. a lot of important plots are missing entirely because they have too many episodes (prison arc, emily's spy backstory, the chameleon, etc.) but if you want to watch criminal minds and aren't sure you can commit to 323 episodes, or want to (like me) force someone to watch it with you when you are stuck inside together for a week of quarantine, these episodes are some of the very best which can be understood for the most part even without knowing the events of episodes not on the list. these should be watched in order, though, because a few come in sets where an earlier episode is needed to understand a later episode on the list (for example, 2x13, 2x23, and 3x01)
I admit, a few of these episodes aren't particularly good or important. one of them is on the list because of a single scene. another is on it because I felt completely ridiculous watching parts of it. yet another is on the list because it has my favorite unsub that won't ever leave my head. another is on the list because the unsub won't ever leave my head, but in a bad way. one thing is for sure, though: if I could only rewatch 50 episodes of this show for the rest of my life, it would be these ones.
(list has been edited to correct a typo (replacing 14x09 with 14x05) and to remove 5x21 and replace it with 8x15, which I believe has a bigger emotional impact and is overall more memorable. as much I love 5x21, 8x15 is just better and deserves to be on this list)
content warnings as well as the reason each of these episodes made the list, under a cut because they contain minor spoilers for some episodes, as well as major spoilers for a couple of larger plot points:
blanket warning that criminal minds is a VERY dark show and that many of these episodes contain content that may be triggering or disturbing, including but not limited to graphic depictions of violence; non-graphic depictions of torture and murder; references to and discussions of various psychopathologies and other motivations of violent criminals; references to, depictions of, and implications of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse, often involving children, as well as bullying; references to school shootings, both in general and specific real-life events; non-graphic discussions of, implications of, and references to sexual assault; non-graphic, sometimes in-depth, references to, depictions of, implications of, and discussions of child sexual abuse; sometimes insensitive or incorrect portrayals of mental health issues, including dissociative identity disorder; deaths of major and minor recurring characters, although infrequently; depictions of abuses of power, sometimes in institutional settings such as prisons or schools; and finally, the most important warning: portrayals, sometimes very empathetic portrayals, of fictional serial killers of all kinds, as well as empathetic portrayals of other violent criminals in some cases.
This show, staying true to its name, humanizes serial killers and other violent criminals, and is definitely not suitable for everyone, especially not children. The rating of this show is TV-14, with good reason. Younger children should not watch this show without a parent present, preferably one who is already familiar with the content of these episodes. I'm serious; if you are under 14 and thinking of watching this show, PLEASE do so with an adult you trust present. Some episodes of this show are almost too much for me, and I am an adult. This show probably WILL change the way you view the world, especially if you decide to watch all 323 episodes. The characters in this show see and interact with the very worst of humanity every day, and discuss the trauma of others in an often cynical way. This show, at its core, is about empathy, and if you have even an ounce of it, watching this show will likely find you empathizing with and even, in some cases, liking serial killers and other violent criminals. Even if you don't think any of the content will be triggering for you, I advise extreme caution while watching, especially if you're a teenager. Use your judgement and don't continue watching if you feel it's affecting you too much. This show is heavier than it feels, and has an impact beyond the surface-level effects of most shows. Once again, this show is VERY dark and probably WILL change the fundamentals of how you view the world, especially if you are young. Do not watch it unless you are certain you want to. I also recommend having someone you trust to talk about the show with you, preferably someone who has also seen it or is watching with you at the same time.
Okay, really long warning over, here are the reasonings for the episodes (some spoilers ahead!):
1x09: wanted to have a good Elle episode on the list, and this one is also just fun to watch
2x11: one of my absolute favorite episodes. if I had to take this list down to just a single episode, it would be this one. perfectly captures the themes of the show and is written and acted amazingly
2x12: this episode is extremely important to understand a certain character, and also to understand later episodes on the list. also it's really good
2x13: this is one of the best Gideon episodes, and is necessary to understand later episodes on the list
2x14: needed to understand a later episode on the list (specifically 2x15)
2x15: very very important Reid episode
2x23: needed to understand a later episode on the list (specifically 3x01)
3x01: a very important episode, and also pretty good
3x05: in my opinion, this is one of the most well-written standalone case episodes. fast-paced from the very beginning, keeps you on the edge of your seat, and has emotional beats to back it up. could almost pass for a half-length movie. a must-watch.
3x16: a very good Reid episode
3x19: a fan-favorite episode, and with good reason. this episode has some great moments for several different characters.
4x03: a very good hostage negotiation episode, with a twist. slightly reminiscent of 1x09 in a few ways.
4x18: a good episode, needed to understand later episodes on the list
4x20: this episode has my favorite unsub
4x24: this episode is just really good, a great Reid episode
5x01: an important episode needed to understand later episodes on the list
5x09: an EXTREMELY important episode. you CANNOT skip this one
5x12: this episode has my favorite scene of the entire series. I cannot understate just how much this episode is worth it just for this one scene.
5x16: one of the highest-rated episodes of the series, with good reason. you will probably cry.
6x09: this episode is the case that haunts me. if I could have the team revisit any case, it would be this one. that being said, part of me despises this episode.
7x09: this episode has some powerful moments. it didn't feel right to exclude it.
7x13: I love this episode for a few reasons. mainly it's a great Reid episode, but I love it for other reasons as well.
7x17: this episode made me extremely uncomfortable. it's creepy, in very effective ways. very memorable.
7x18: a great Morgan episode. seriously, this one made me emotional.
7x20: another Morgan episode, this one is very good. has certain vibes I can't describe but that make for a great episode.
7x22: this episode has a cool concept, and it's executed well. a fan-favorite for good reason. this one might make you feel emotions about Rossi, especially if you already love him.
8x10: this episode, in some ways, is one I hate. watching it is an entire experience. I don't recommend watching this episode if you have somewhere to be afterwards. truly, the stuff of nightmares. this is, without a doubt, the CREEPIEST episode of criminal minds, ever. do yourself a favor and curl up with some calming tea while you watch this one, and give yourself time after to process before you watch the next episode.
8x12: a very important episode. not one you should skip. best without spoilers of any kind so I'm not giving more than that.
8x15: this episode is powerful. has a specific moment that could probably make me cry on its own, let alone in context with the rest of the episode
8x18: a very good, somewhat important Morgan episode. there is a moment that made me start sobbing. this episode may not be very important to overall plot, but it's important to watch for other reasons.
9x05: a pretty important episode and also pretty good (but apparently some people hate it so, you know, keep in mind some of my opinions aren't the most popular)
10x03: this episode is pretty good. has some good moments.
10x08: this episode is horrifying in a few specific ways. watching it for the first time felt a bit like getting punched in the face. definitely memorable.
10x13: a very important episode. best without spoilers of any kind, but I will say that there was not a single moment of this episode I was not in tears.
10x16: this episode makes me extremely emotional for a few reasons. definitely memorable.
10x21: this episode's emotional beats are very powerful. also important for other reasons, so you shouldn't skip it.
11x09: apparently some people don't like this episode, but it's got one of my favorite Hotch moments, so I'm putting it on the list.
11x11: this is the highest-rated episode of the series on imdb. it's really good and also pretty important.
11x16: very important Morgan episode.
11x18: a very important Morgan episode. you will cry.
11x22: the only season finale on this list. not even that memorable, but I wanted you to have one last episode where Hotch is significant. he is not in any episodes on this list after this one, and his character leaves without warning, due to real-life events that I don't care to explain here.
12x05: apparently an unpopular episode, but one of my favorites. I would gladly watch a spin-off based on this episode, but sadly it wasn't meant as a backdoor pilot.
12x12: this episode is on the list because it made me feel certain things, although it's probably not very important at all.
12x13: this is a very important episode which kicks off a 10-episode arc. that's obviously too long for it to go on this list. essentially Reid goes to prison for the rest of s12, and is exonerated by s13. this episode is good on its own, and deserves to be on the list even without the rest of the prison arc. if you want to, you can watch 12x14-13x01 as well, but then obviously that will be quite a bit more than 50 episodes. if you have time, I do recommend watching it. it does, I warn you, have a very different feel from the rest of the series.
13x06: a pretty good episode.
13x09: a good Tara episode.
13x16: won't be fully understandable without also watching a few other episodes previous, but is a VERY good episode. in my opinion, the best of s13.
13x19: a good Matt episode.
14x05: here it is, the last episode on this list. obviously there is nothing from s15, and the reason for that is that most of s15 and parts of s14 require extensive knowledge of the rest of the show as well as several previous episodes in those seasons, too much to include any of those episodes on this list. this episode, 14x05, is not important to the overall plot, but it is very good. probably the best episode of s14.
