Criminal Minds (season 6)

Criminal Minds (season 6)
DVD cover art
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	24
Release
Original network	CBS
Original release	September 22, 2010 – May 18, 2011

The sixth season of Criminal Minds premiered on CBS on September 22, 2010 and ended May 18, 2011.

Before the filming of the season began, it was announced that A.J. Cook had been let go from the series, reportedly due to budget cuts on the show relating to the launch of the Criminal Minds spinoff.^[1] Thanks to letters and petitions by fans, Cook was allowed to return for two episodes to wrap up her character's storyline. She later returned as a special guest star in two subsequent episodes of this season. Paget Brewster was a regular for eighteen episodes and was let go from the series as well. Rachel Nichols appeared as a guest star for two episodes and was then promoted as a regular, but was fired after the season finale.^[2]

The opening sequence was changed as of this season: more sound and visual effects were added; the theme song itself was amplified, and an electric guitar part added.

Cast

Main

• Joe Mantegna as David Rossi
• Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss (episodes 1-18)
• Shemar Moore as Derek Morgan
• Matthew Gray Gubler as Dr. Spencer Reid
• A. J. Cook as Jennifer "JJ" Jareau (episodes 1 & 2, special guest star: episodes 18 & 24)
• Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia
• Rachel Nichols as Ashley Seaver (recurring: episodes 10 & 12, main: episodes 15–24)
• Thomas Gibson as Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner

Recurring

• Jayne Atkinson as Erin Strauss
• Cade Owens as Jack Hotchner
• Sebastian Roché as Clyde Easter
• Nicholas Brendon as Kevin Lynch

Guest stars

Ernie Hudson appears in the episode "Devil's Night" as Lt. Al Garner.

In the season premiere "The Longest Night", Tim Curry reprised his role as one of the series' most notorious criminals, Billy Flynn, also known as "The Prince of Darkness". Robert Davi reprised his role as Detective Adam Kurzbard, who led the investigation of the murders. In the episode "J.J.", Chris Marquette guest-starred as James Barrett, a man who abducted and almost murdered Kate Joyce. Michael Welch guest-starred as Sydney Xavier Pearson, James' best friend. In the episode "Remembrance of Things Past", Daniel J. Travanti guest-starred as Lee Mullens, a serial killer who suffers from alzheimer's disease. In the episode "Compromising Positions", Craig Sheffer guest-starred as James Thomas, an impotent serial killer who murders married couples.

Justine Ezarik appears in the episode "Middle Man" as Meredith Joy.

In the episode "Safe Haven", Sterling Beaumon guest-starred as Jeremy Sayers, a juvenile delinquent and family annihilator who has been hated by his mother ever since he was born. Mare Winningham guest-starred as Nancy Riverton, a mother who allows Jeremy to stay in their home for the night. In the episode "Devil's Night", Leonard Roberts guest-starred as Kaman Scott, a disfigured serial killer who burns his victims alive during Devil's Night, the notorious pre-Halloween celebration. In the episode "Middle Man", Steve Talley, Michael Grant Terry, and Jake Thomas guest-starred as Michael Kosina, Christopher Salters, and Scott Kagan, aka "The Johnson County Brotherhood", a trio of serial rapists and killers who abduct exotic dancers. Melissa Claire Egan guest starred as Tara Dice, an exotic dancer who is questioned by Prentiss and Reid.

Jonathan Tucker appears in the episode "The Thirteenth Step" as Raymond Donovan.

In the episode "Reflection of Desire", Robert Knepper guest-starred as Rhett Walden, also known as "The Hill Ripper", a schizophrenic abductor who idolizes the movie Reflection of Desire, a film his deceased mother starred in. Sally Kirkland guest-starred as May Walden, a famous Golden Age actress who, because of her pregnancy, made only one motion picture, and her career was ruined afterwards. Kaitlin Doubleday guest-starred as Kelly Landis, Walden's first murder victim, and Whitney Able guest-starred as Penny Hanley, another woman Walden abducted after Landis' murder. In the episode "Into the Woods", Gattlin Griffith guest-starred as Robert Brooks, a young boy who is abducted and raped by Shane Wyland. Emily Alyn Lind guest-starred as Anna Brooks, Robert's younger sister who is also abducted by Wyland.

Adrianne Palicki appears in the episode "The Thirteenth Step" as Sydney Manning.

In the episode "What Happens at Home", Kenneth Mitchell guest-starred as Drew Jacobs, a serial killer who murders several women, including his own wife. Madison Leisle guest starred as Jacobs' daughter, Heather. In the episode "25 to Life", Kyle Secor guest-starred as Donald Sanderson, a man who was framed and imprisoned for the murder of his family, and Philip Casnoff guest-starred as James Stanworth, the man responsible for framing Sanderson and murdering his family. Angus Macfadyen guest-starred as Sean McCallister, Emily Prentiss' former boss at Interpol who is murdered by one of the series most notorious criminals, Ian Doyle, played by Timothy V. Murphy.

Corbin Bernsen appears in the episode "Today I Do" as Jerry Grandin.

In the episode "Today I Do", Rebecca Field guest-starred as Jane Gold, a stalker and abductor who acts as a caretaker so she can be appreciated. Rachel Miner guest-starred as Molly Grandin, a woman Gold abducts and holds captive. In the episode "Coda", Lew Temple guest-starred as Bill Thomas, a man who abducts the parents of a boy with autism. Mimi Kennedy guest-starred as Mrs. Rogers, Sammy Sparks' social worker. In the episode "Lauren", Patrick Fischler guest-starred as Jack Fahey, an Irish mobster and an associate of Ian Doyle. In the episode "With Friends Like These", Bug Hall guest-starred as Ben Foster, a schizophrenic spree killer who, after burning down a church, suffers hallucinations of three people who died inside the church.

Angela Sarafyan appears in the season finale as Lucy.

In the episode "Hanley Waters", Kelli Williams guest-starred as Shelly Chamberlain, a spree killer who is unable to come to terms with the death of her son, who died in a car crash. In the episode "Out of the Light", Jeffrey Meek guest-starred as Robert Bremmer, a serial killer who raped his stepdaughter, Rose, and began abducting, raping, and murdering women who resemble Rose. In the season finale "Supply and Demand", Amy Price-Francis guest-starred as Supervisory Special Agent Andi Swann, the Unit Chief of the Domestic Trafficking Task Force, and Sarah Foret guest-starred as Renee Matlin, an FBI undercover agent who is held captive within a human trafficking ring.

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Prod. code	U.S. viewers (millions)
115	1	"The Longest Night"	Edward Allen Bernero	Edward Allen Bernero	September 22, 2010	601	14.13[3]
With Matt Spicer dead and the unsub (Tim Curry) at large with Spicer's daughter as a hostage, the BAU races against time to find him and rescue the girl before he kills her. The events take a strange, sinister turn when the unsub attempts to use the girl as an accomplice in his murder spree throughout Los Angeles.
116	2	"JJ"	Charles S. Carroll	Erica Messer	September 29, 2010	602	14.57[4]
While contemplating a major job promotion that she cannot ignore, J.J. assists the team in aiding a couple whose daughter mysteriously vanished. The case becomes further complicated when the only two suspects in the case are able to pass a polygraph test, despite being last seen with the victim and having a viable motive to take her. Based on the disappearance of Natalee Holloway.
117	3	"Remembrance of Things Past"	Glenn Kershaw	Janine Sherman Barrois	October 6, 2010	604	13.87[5]
Still reeling from J.J.'s departure, the team travels to Bristol, Virginia to help with a case of murdered young women that bears the hallmarks of an uncaught serial killer Rossi investigated 25 years ago, called "The Butcher." Though the new string of killings appear to be copycat crimes, Rossi is convinced it may be the work of the original killer (Daniel J. Travanti).
118	4	"Compromising Positions"	Guy Norman Bee	Breen Frazier	October 13, 2010	603	14.00[6]
The BAU travels to Akron, Ohio to investigate a series of murders of couples, who are forced to have sex before being murdered. Meanwhile, Hotch looks for someone to fill J.J.'s role on the team.
119	5	"Safe Haven"	Andy Wolk	Alicia Kirk	October 20, 2010	605	14.46[7]
The BAU team is called to Omaha, Nebraska to investigate the murders of entire families. Profiling becomes a somewhat difficult task for the team after concluding that each family member is killed differently from the next. With the unsub hunting for another family, the BAU must hurry. Also, Morgan receives a visit from someone unexpected from a previous case.
120	6	"Devil's Night"	Charlie Haid	Randy Huggins	October 27, 2010	606	13.94[8]
After several people are found burned alive once a year before Halloween, the BAU is called in to Detroit to investigate. The team later finds out that the victims chosen by the unsub are not random.
121	7	"Middle Man"	Rob Spera	Rick Dunkle	November 3, 2010	607	14.58[9]
When the bodies of exotic dancers are found murdered in the corn fields near Edinburgh, Indiana two days after being kidnapped, the BAU must race against time when they realize they only have two days to find the latest victim who has just been kidnapped. The unsub's true nature is revealed after he watches the reports of his killings on the news.
122	8	"Reflection of Desire"	Anna Foerster	Simon Mirren	November 10, 2010	608	12.56[10]
After Kelly Landis, a woman missing for three days, is found dead, the BAU is called in when the D.C. Police cannot connect the death to any previous cases. They call in the BAU because of the unsub's style of killing: cutting off his victim's lips. The unsub is easier to identify after Garcia reveals some of her personal life.
123	9	"Into the Woods"	Glenn Kershaw	Kimberly Ann Harrison	November 17, 2010	609	14.39[11]
The BAU team has to go deep into the forests of the Appalachian Trail after a young boy is found murdered near Hot Springs, North Carolina. The unsub appears to be a man who targets young boys in the wilderness. Soon enough, another boy is abducted and the BAU must act fast before a life is lost.
124	10	"What Happens at Home"	Jan Eliasberg	Edward Allen Bernero	December 8, 2010	610	14.23[12]
The BAU searches for a killer targeting women in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Meanwhile, Hotch looks into a FBI trainee with an interesting past to help them during the investigation. Note: This is Rachel Nichols' first episode as Ashley Seaver
125	11	"25 to Life"	Charles S. Carroll	Erica Messer	December 15, 2010	611	13.77[13]
Morgan testifies that a convicted murderer should be released on parole but regrets his decision when, only days later, the man apparently kills somebody. However, when the team reviews his past and the newest victim, they learn some surprising details that could prove that the man did not actually commit the crime that he was put behind bars for.
126	12	"Corazon"	John Gallagher	Katarina Wittich	January 19, 2011	612	12.02[14]
As the BAU investigates a series of ritual murders in Miami, Reid suffers from multiple blinding headaches.
127	13	"The Thirteenth Step"	Doug Aarniokoski	Janine Sherman Barrois	January 26, 2011	613	12.77[15]
Two young lovers embark on a murderous rampage in Miles City, Montana that sends the BAU team to investigate and stop them before they claim more victims. Also, Prentiss receives shocking news from her previous boss at Interpol.
128	14	"Sense Memory"	Rob Spera	Randy Huggins	February 9, 2011	614	13.67[16]
The BAU is summoned to Los Angeles to investigate a series of unusual murders and Prentiss sheds some light on her past before she joined the BAU.
129	15	"Today I Do"	Ali Selim	Alicia Kirk	February 16, 2011	615	12.85[17]
The team tracks down a bogus self-motivational coach who tortures and kills her patients in Syracuse, New York. Meanwhile, Prentiss also receives some disturbing news about one of her former colleagues.
130	16	"Coda"	Rob Hardy	Rick Dunkle	February 23, 2011	616	13.15[18]
As Reid tries to make a connection with an autistic child to help in finding the boy's missing parents in Lafayette, Louisiana, Prentiss enlists two former Interpol colleagues, one of whom being her former Unit Chief (Sebastian Roché), in hunting an old nemesis.
131	17	"Valhalla"	Charles S. Carroll	Simon Mirren & Erica Messer	March 2, 2011	617	14.37[19]
Prentiss begins to feel the heat after she and Morgan assist in solving a series of suspicious murders that involves Prentiss's old Interpol nemesis, Ian Doyle.
132	18	"Lauren"	Matthew Gray Gubler	Breen Frazier	March 16, 2011	618	13.73[20]
When Prentiss disappears to face off against her archenemy, Ian Doyle, the BAU call in J.J. hoping she can help them find Emily and capture Doyle before it is too late.
133	19	"With Friends Like These"	Anna J. Foerster	Janine Sherman Barrois	March 30, 2011	619	13.05[21]
The BAU is called to Portland, Oregon, to assist in catching a pack of killers who enjoys targeting victims. However, as the investigation deepens, they learn that the crimes aren't what they seem to be.
134	20	"Hanley Waters"	Jesse Warn	Alicia Kirk & Randy Huggins	April 6, 2011	620	14.08[22]
As the BAU investigates targeted killings in Tampa, Florida, they deal with their own feelings about the loss of Prentiss.
135	21	"The Stranger"	Nelson McCormick	Kimberly Ann Harrison & Rick Dunkle	April 13, 2011	621	13.59[23]
The BAU hunts a stalker in San Diego who is targeting college students. Meanwhile, the team comes under Strauss' scrutiny in the wake of the loss of Prentiss.
136	22	"Out of the Light"	Doug Aarniokoski	Roger Hedden	May 4, 2011	622	12.90[24]
The BAU is called to the small town of Sharpsburg, North Carolina, after a woman is found badly injured and another woman is missing. On arrival, the team discovers these two women are not the only victims.
137	23	"Big Sea"	Glenn Kershaw	Jim Clemente & Breen Frazier	May 11, 2011	623	13.29[25]
The discovery of bodies buried in the ocean floor off Jacksonville, Florida, prompts the BAU to intervene; Morgan's aunt suspects her missing daughter may be among the dead.
138	24	"Supply & Demand"	Charles S. Carroll	Erica Messer	May 18, 2011	624	12.84[26]
The team tries to close a challenging case involving two bodies and a human trafficking organization in Hudson, Wisconsin. In addition, Hotch warns the team of possible changes in the team while a familiar face unexpectedly returns to their ranks. Note: This is Rachel Nichols' last episode as Ashley Seaver

References

1. Ausiello, Michael (2010-06-14). "'Criminal Minds' drops A.J. Cook". Entertainment Weekly.
2. http://www.deadline.com/2011/05/paget-brewster-returning-to-criminal-minds-next-season-rachel-nichols-leaving/
3. Seidman, Robert (September 28, 2010). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: ‘Sunday Night Football’, ‘Glee,’ ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Top Premiere Week". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
4. Gorman, Bill (September 30, 2010). "Wednesday Finals: Better With You, The Middle, Modern Family, Survivor, Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: LA Adjusted Up; Cougar Town, Whole Truth Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
5. Seidman, Robert (October 7, 2010). "Wednesday Finals: Survivor, The Middle, Modern Family, SVU, The Defenders Up; Cougar Town, The Whole Truth Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
6. Gorman, Bill (October 14, 2010). "Wednesday Finals: Survivor, Middle, Modern Family, L&O:SVU, Top Model Adjusted Up; 20/20, Undercovers Down". TV by The Numbers. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
7. Seidman, Robert (October 21, 2010). "Wednesday Finals: Survivor, Buster Posey (NLCS), Criminal Minds The Defenders, Law & Order: SVU Adjusted Up; The Whole Truth Down". TV by The Numbers. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
8. Gorman, Bill (October 28, 2010). "Wednesday Finals: Survivor: Nicaragua, The Middle Adjusted Up; The Whole Truth Down". TV by The Numbers. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
9. Seidman, Robert (November 4, 2010). "Wednesday Finals: Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU Adjusted Up". TV by The Numbers. Retrieved November 5, 2010.
10. Gorman, Bill (November 11, 2010). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Criminal Minds', 'America's Next Top Model' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
11. Seidman, Robert (November 18, 2010). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Modern Family', 'Criminal Minds' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
12. Gorman, Bill (December 9, 2010). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Modern Family,' 'The Sing Off' Adjusted Up; 'The Middle' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
13. Seidman, Robert (December 16, 2010). "Updated Wednesday Final Ratings: Criminal Minds, Human Target Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
14. Gorman, Bill (January 20, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'The Middle,' 'Better With You,' 'Cougar Town' Adjusted Down; 'Criminal Minds' Adjusted Up". Tv by the Numbers. Retrieved January 20, 2011.
15. Seidman, Robert (January 27, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Blue Bloods' Adjusted Up; 'Cougar Town,' 'Live to Dance' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
16. Seidman, Robert (February 10, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Blue Bloods,' 'Human Target' Adjusted Down, 'Modern Family,' 'Better with You' Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
17. Gorman, Bill (February 17, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'American Idol' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
18. Seidman, Robert (February 24, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Mr. Sunshine,' 'Survivor,' 'Criminal Minds,' 'CM: Suspect Behavior' All Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 24, 2011.
19. Gorman, Bill (March 3, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'American Idol' Adjusted Up; 'Better With You' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 14, 2011.
20. Gorman, Bill (March 17, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'Survivor,' 'Minute,' 'Top Model' Adjusted Up; 'Off The Map,' 'Criminal Minds: SB' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 17, 2011.
21. Gorman, Bill (March 31, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'Survivor,' 'Criminal Minds,' 'Law & Order:SVU,' 'Minute' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
22. Seidman, Robert (April 7, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'Law & Order: SVU,' 'Survivor,' 'American Idol' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
23. Gorman, Bill (April 14, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'Modern Family,' 'Happy Endings,' 'Survivor,' 'Criminal Minds,' 'Suspect Behavior' Adjusted Up; 'Breaking In,' 'Minute,' 'Shedding' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
24. Seidman, Robert (May 5, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'Survivor,' 'Modern Family,' 'Law & Order: SVU' Adjusted Up; 'Breaking In' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
25. Gorman, Bill (May 12, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'The Middle' 'Better With You,' 'Modern Family,' 'Survivor' Adjusted Up; 'Breaking In,' 'Cougar Town' Adj. Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
26. Seidman, Robert (May 19, 2011). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'American Idol,' 'Modern Family,' 'Law & Order: SVU' Adjusted Up; 'Happy Endings' Adj. Down". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 19, 2011.

External links

• Criminal Minds at the Internet Movie Database
• Criminal Minds at TV.com