Criminal Minds (season 7)

Criminal Minds (season 7)
DVD cover art
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	24
Release
Original network	CBS
Original release	September 21, 2011 – May 16, 2012

The seventh season of Criminal Minds premiered on CBS in the United States on September 21, 2011.^[1] Both A. J. Cook and Paget Brewster were rehired by CBS to reprise their roles as Jennifer Jareau and Emily Prentiss.^[2][3] On February 15, 2012, Deadline.com reported that Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss) would leave the series, definitively, once season seven was over. All other main actors on the show have secured deals to return for the eighth season.^[4] The two-hour season finale, which took place on May 16, 2012, reveals Prentiss making the decision to leave the BAU.^[5]

On March 14, 2012, CBS renewed Criminal Minds for an eighth season, which aired on September 26, 2012.^[6]

Cast

Main cast

• Joe Mantegna as David Rossi
• Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss
• Shemar Moore as Derek Morgan
• Matthew Gray Gubler as Dr. Spencer Reid
• A. J. Cook as Jennifer "JJ" Jareau
• Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia
• Thomas Gibson as Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner

Recurring cast

• Bellamy Young as Beth Clemmons
• Jayne Atkinson as Erin Strauss
• Cade Owens as Jack Hotchner
• Nicholas Brendon as Kevin Lynch
• Josh Stewart as William "Will" LaMontagne Jr.
• Mekhai Andersen as Henry LaMontagne

Guest stars

Saw star Dina Meyer appears in the episode "Unknown Subject" as Regina Lampert.

In the season premiere "It Takes a Village", Timothy V. Murphy reprises as Ian Doyle, and Robin Atkin Downes guest-starred as Lachlan McDermott, an international criminal who seeks vengeance against Doyle for murdering his brother Jimmy. In the episode "Proof", Andy Milder guest-starred as Ben Bradstone, a mentally challenged serial killer who removes his victims five senses with sulfuric acid. Johanna Braddy guest-starred as Ben's niece, Tammy, and Tracy Middendorf guest-starred as Tammy's mother, Lyla, who Ben had a secret obsession over. In the episode "Dorado Falls", Max Martini guest-starred as Luke Dolan, a former U.S. Navy Seal suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder who goes on a murderous rampage. Sarah Aldrich guest-starred as Luke's wife, Jenna.

Judith Hoag appears in the episode "Unknown Subject" as Diana Mitchell.

In the episode "Painless", Eric Jungmann guest-starred as Robert Adams, a survivor of a high school shooting who copied the murders committed by Randy Slade. Julia Campbell guest-starred as Randy's mother, Martha Slade, and Aaron Hill guest-starred as Jerry Holtz, another survivor of the shooting who is murdered by Robert. In the episode "From Childhood's Hour", Isabella Hofmann guest-starred as Carolyn Baker, David Rossi's first wife who dies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Heather Tom guest-starred as Connie Barton, a mother who is abducted by George Kelling. In the episode "There's No Place Like Home", Alex Weed guest-starred as Travis James, a serial killer who abducted male prostitutes.

Finn Wittrock appears in the episode "True Genius" as Harvey Morell.

In the episode "Hope", Brigid Brannagh guest-starred as Monica Kingston, a mother whose daughter was abducted and murdered by Bill Rogers, played by Jack Coleman. In the episode "Self-Fulfilling Prophecy", René Auberjonois guest-starred as Colonel Ronald Massey, the leader of the Somerville Military Academy and criminal accomplice of Josh Redding. In the episode "The Bittersweet Science", Shawn Hatosy guest-starred as Jimmy Hall, a professional boxer and spree killer whose son dies of leukemia. Charles S. Dutton guest-starred as Tony Cole, Jimmy's boxing trainer. Danny Goldman guest-starred as Detective Bob Zablonsky, who leads the investigation of the murders.

A Nightmare on Elm Street star Robert Englund appears in the episode "Heathridge Manor" as Det. Gassner.

In the episode "Unknown Subject", Jay Karnes guest-starred as Hamilton Bartholomew, aka "The Piano Man", a serial rapist who is assaulting the victims he previously raped. In the episode "Snake Eyes", Dean Cain guest-starred as Curtis Banks, a serial killer with a gambling problem. Vanessa Branch guest-starred as Curtis' wife, Teri. In the episode "Closing Time", Geoffrey Blake guest-starred as Michael Janeczco, a serial killer who targeted men who have been divorced, which reflected Michael's own background. Tyler Neitzel guest-starred as Michael's stepson, Hunter Wright. In the episode "A Thin Line", Paul Johansson guest-starred as Clark Preston, a mayoral candidate and criminal accomplice of hate crime serial killer Trevor Mills.

The Walking Dead star Chad Coleman appears in the episode "The Company" as Malcolm Ford.

In the episode "A Family Affair", Kathy Baker and William Russ guest-starred as Donald and Linda Collins, the parents of paraplegic serial killer Jeffrey Collins. In the episode "I Love You, Tommy Brown", Teri Polo guest-starred as Margaret Hollman, a mentally unstable high school teacher who fell in love with one of her students, Thomas Brown, with whom she had a son. In the episode "Foundation", Hedy Burress guest-starred as Samantha Allen, the daughter of pedophilic abductor J.B. Allen. In the episode "Heathridge Manor", Juliet Landau guest-starred as Catherine Heathridge, a textile heiress who suffered a psychotic reaction to a Shakespeare play that convinced her that the lead actresses were "The Devil's Wives", prompting her to murder them. Kyle Gallner and Madeleine Martin guest-starred as Catherine's children, James and Lara, who followed in her footsteps.

Tricia Helfer appears in the two-part season finale as Izzy Rogers.

In the episode "The Company", Shanola Hampton guest-starred as Cindi Burns, Derek Morgan's cousin who suffered from stockholm syndrome after marrying and giving birth to the son of her abductor, Malcolm Ford. In the episode "Divining Rod", Mackenzie Astin guest-starred as Dylan Kohler, the copycat killer of serial killer Rodney Baines Garrett. In the two-part season finale "Hit & Run", Josh Randall guest-starred as Matthew Downs, a member of the Face Cards and Izzy Rogers' lover, and Evan Jones guest-starred as Chris Stratton, another member of the Face Cards. Sebastian Roché reprises as Clyde Easter, Emily Prentiss' former partner at Interpol who offers her a job as Chief of the Interpol office in London, which she accepts, causing her departure from the BAU.

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Prod. code	U.S. viewers (millions)
139	1	"It Takes a Village"	Glenn Kershaw	Erica Messer	September 21, 2011	701	14.14[7]
The BAU team is at crossroads when they are questioned by a Senate Committee for their retaliatory actions against Doyle (Timothy V. Murphy). They face the committee with assistance from the returning Jennifer Jareau. During the hearing, the team learns that Morgan has been tracking Doyle since the day Prentiss "died" and that Doyle's son is in danger. They race against time to find Doyle before someone else does, in a situation that tests the team and the trust between them. It is soon shaken by a familiar face, who assists the team in this case.
140	2	"Proof"	Karen Gaviola	Janine Sherman Barrois	September 28, 2011	702	12.58[8]
Women are being found murdered after being robbed of one of their five senses in Durant, Oklahoma, prompting attention from the BAU. JJ and Prentiss get the cold shoulder from Reid as he deals with their deception about Prentiss' presumed death, while Rossi has a cooking lesson for the team to bring them together.
141	3	"Dorado Falls"	Félix Alcalá	Sharon Lee Watson	October 5, 2011	703	13.43[9]
The BAU team investigates a mass murder at an Internet security company in nearby Charlottesville but clues reveal it is not a typical serial killer at work. Meanwhile, Prentiss must complete recertification training under Morgan's watchful eye.
142	4	"Painless"	Larry Teng	Breen Frazier	October 12, 2011	704	12.87[10]
Survivors of a high school massacre in Boise, Idaho, that occurred in October 2001 return to remember the event 10 years later, but the BAU team is called in when a new killer with a similar style targets the survivors, and they discover two key factors that connect to the original shooting. Also, Hotch is worried that his son, Jack (Cade Owens), may be a victim of school bullying, while Morgan and Reid exchange pranks.
143	5	"From Childhood's Hour"	Anna J. Foerster	Bruce Zimmerman	October 19, 2011	705	13.15[11]
The BAU team investigates the abductions of young children with troubled mothers in St. Louis. Rossi reconnects with his first wife, Carolyn (Isabella Hofmann), who has shocking news for him.
144	6	"Epilogue"	Guy Ferland	Rick Dunkle	November 2, 2011	706	12.94[12]
The BAU search California's Angeles National Forest after a number of bodies mysteriously turn up in the mountain lakes there. Meanwhile, Rossi struggles with an agonizing decision regarding his ex-wife.
145	7	"There's No Place Like Home"	Rob Spera	Virgil Williams	November 9, 2011	707	11.36[13]
When a series of tornadoes hits Wichita, Kansas, the BAU is called in to investigate bodies of young boys who had run away from home that turn up in the aftermath of the storms. The pressure is on when they realize that they may have a "Frankenstein" serial killer in their hands and another teenage boy goes missing with the threat of bad weather looming. Work pressures cause tension on JJ's home front.
146	8	"Hope"	Michael Watkins	Kimberly Ann Harrison	November 16, 2011	708	12.72[14]
A case turns personal for Garcia when the BAU investigates the disappearance of a woman in her survivors' support group whose daughter went missing seven years earlier.
147	9	"Self-Fulfilling Prophecy"	Charlie Haid	Erica Messer	December 7, 2011	709	12.41[15]
The BAU investigates a mass suicide at a renowned military academy, and the investigation takes a shocking turn when they learn about the past of the victims, leading the team to believe the academy isn't what it seems to be. Meanwhile a team member's secret is exposed and Morgan and Hotch disagree about how to deal with it.
148	10	"The Bittersweet Science"	Rob Hardy	Janine Sherman Barrois	December 14, 2011	710	12.88[16]
The BAU team investigates a string of fatal beatings in Philadelphia and looks into to the city's boxing scene in search of the killer. Hotch makes a connection with an attractive runner, Beth Clemmons (Bellamy Young), as they both train for a triathlon.
149	11	"True Genius"	Glenn Kershaw	Sharon Lee Watson	January 18, 2012	711	13.00[17]
A series of murders in San Francisco bearing the tell-tale signs of the infamous Zodiac Killer have the BAU wondering if the notorious serial killer has returned. Also, Reid ponders if he should be doing more with his genius abilities.
150	12	"Unknown Subject"	Michael Lange	Breen Frazier	January 25, 2012	712	13.82[18]
In the milestone 150th episode of the series, the BAU team searches for a serial rapist in Houston, known as "The Piano Man" who has resurfaced and is assaulting his previous victims. Also, Prentiss tries to come to terms with her trauma from last year and with rejoining the team.
151	13	"Snake Eyes"	Doug Aarniokoski	Bruce Zimmerman	February 8, 2012	713	13.31[19]
The BAU agents try their luck in Atlantic City, New Jersey when the team is called in to investigate a series of ritualistic, casino-related murders, perpetrated by a highly delusional, superstitious problem gambler (Dean Cain). Meanwhile, after a spat with her boyfriend, Kevin (Nicholas Brendon), Garcia thinks she and Morgan may have gotten a little too friendly with each other.
152	14	"Closing Time"	Jesse Warn	Rick Dunkle	February 15, 2012	714	12.19[20]
The BAU are summoned to Los Angeles to investigate when a serial killer's body dump is found in a lifeguard tower. Hotch invites Beth on a date.
153	15	"A Thin Line"	Michael Watkins	Virgil Williams	February 22, 2012	715	12.78[21]
A series of brutal home invasions and murders in San Bernardino, California initially appear to be gang-related, but the BAU investigation may uncover a more sinister motivation. Meanwhile, Prentiss and Morgan debate about how to train new recruits after a training session ends in failure..
154	16	"A Family Affair"	Rob Spera	Kimberly Ann Harrison	February 29, 2012	716	12.54[22]
When the BAU travels to Atlanta to investigate the murders of women, the clues lead them to look for an unsub who is not working alone.
155	17	"I Love You, Tommy Brown"	John Terlesky	Janine Sherman Barrois	March 14, 2012	717	11.43[23]
When married couples fostering young children end up being killed in Seattle, the BAU team looks for an unsub (Teri Polo) with a maternal-yet-murderous instinct. Also, Garcia fears a possible proposal from Kevin.
156	18	"Foundation"	Dermott Downs	Jim Clemente	March 21, 2012	718	12.09[24]
The BAU is called to Scottsdale, Arizona when one young boy is found wandering the desert and another child goes missing, which hits close to home for Morgan.
157	19	"Heathridge Manor"	Matthew Gray Gubler	Sharon Lee Watson	April 4, 2012	719	11.34[25]
The BAU team heads to Medford, Oregon to investigate a series of gothic, ritualistic murders. A woman believes that she is fighting against the Devil and his wives; when she dies, the task is continued by her son and reluctant daughter.
158	20	"The Company"	Nelson McCormick	Breen Frazier	April 11, 2012	720	11.81[26]
Morgan's sister sees a girl in Chicago, who looks like their presumed dead cousin. Morgan has to confess to his family about the lie he told, and the BAU re-opens her case.
159	21	"Divining Rod"	Doug Aarniokoski	Bruce Zimmerman	May 2, 2012	721	11.47[26]
After a serial killer is executed in Enid, Oklahoma, a copycat shows up and the FBI agents are called in to find him. Meanwhile, Prentiss gets nervous about a real estate purchase.
160	22	"Profiling 101"	Félix Alcalá	Virgil Williams	May 9, 2012	722	11.62[27]
Rossi and the team present one of the longest-tenured serial killer cases to college students in Seattle, and they take the class through a nearly 20 year chase for the murderer.
161	23	"Hit"	Michael Lange	Rick Dunkle	May 16, 2012	723	13.68[28]
When the BAU goes up against a gang of serial-killing bank robbers in Washington, D.C., the team tries to negotiate the situation unfolding inside the bank, but the stakes rise when JJ's fiancée, Will (Josh Stewart) is taken hostage. Also, a phone call from her former boss (Sebastian Roché) makes Prentiss ponder her future.
162	24	"Run"	Glenn Kershaw	Erica Messer	May 16, 2012	724	13.68[28]
As the BAU team continues to pursue the bank-robbing serial killers, the team determines that the suspects, particularly the female (Tricia Helfer) and her secret partner, have a bigger target in the Nation's capital; and with one of the team still a hostage, they must work quickly to defuse an explosive situation. Also, there are wedding bells for JJ, Strauss thanks Morgan for his help and Prentiss makes a decision about her future. Note: This is Paget Brewster's last episode (as a series regular) as Emily Prentiss.

Ratings

Episode	U.S. ratings
	Original airdate	Viewers (millions)	Rank
			Night	Week
"It Takes a Village"	September 21, 2011	14.14[7]	2	13[7]
"Proof"	September 28, 2011	12.58[8]	2	13[8]
"Dorado Falls"	October 5, 2011	13.43[9]	1	9[9]
"Painless"	October 12, 2011	12.87[10]	2	11[10]
"Childhood's Hour"	October 19, 2011	13.15[11]	2	11[11]
"Epilogue"	November 2, 2011	12.94[12]	2	15[12]
"There's No Place Like Home"	November 9, 2011	11.36[13]	2	17[13]
"Hope"	November 16, 2011	12.72[14]	2	11[14]
"Self-Fulfilling Prophecy"	December 7, 2011	12.41[15]	1	12[15]
"The Bittersweet Science"	December 14, 2011	12.88[16]	1	9[16]
"True Genius"	January 18, 2012	13.00[17]	2	11[17]
"Unknown Subject"	January 25, 2012	13.82[18]	3	5[18]
"Snake Eyes"	February 8, 2012	13.31[19]	2	11[19]
"Closing Time"	February 15, 2012	12.19[20]	2	10[20]
"A Thin Line"	February 22, 2012	12.78[21]	2	13[21]
"A Family Affair"	February 29, 2012	12.54[22]	2	8[22]
"I Love You, Tommy Brown"	March 14, 2012	11.43[23]	3	6[23]
"Foundation"	March 21, 2012	12.09[24]	2	6[24]
"Heathridge Manor"	April 4, 2012	11.34[25]	3	14[25]
"The Company"	April 11, 2012	11.81[26]	2	7[26]
"Divining Rod"	May 2, 2012	11.47[26]	2	11[26]
"Profiling 101"	May 9, 2012	11.62[27]	2	12[27]
"Hit (Part I)"	May 16, 2012	13.68[28]	2	6[28]
"Run (Part II)"	May 16, 2012	13.68[28]	2	6[28]

References

1. "CBS Announces Fall 2011 Premiere Dates"
2. JJ Is Back! AJ Cook Inks 2-Year Deal To Return To 'Criminal Minds'
3. It's Official: Criminal Minds Welcomes Back Paget Brewster, Bids Farewell to Rachel Nichols
4. Andreeva, Nellie (February 15, 2012). "Paget Brewster To Leave ‘Criminal Minds’". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
5. http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2012/03/22/cbs-announces-season-finale-dates-for-the-2011-12-season-90100/20120322cbs02/
6. Gorman, Bill (March 14, 2012). "CBS Renews 18 Shows: 'The Good Wife,' 'Blue Bloods,' '2 Broke Girls,' 'The Mentalist,' 'Mike & Molly' & Many More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
7. Gorman, Bill (September 27, 2011). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Two And A Half Men' Tops 'Sunday Night Football' For Week Ending September 25, 2011". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
8. Seidman, Robert (October 4, 2011). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Two And A Half Men' Falls Just Short of 'Sunday Night Football' with Adults 18-49, But Tops Everything in Viewing". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
9. Gorman, Bill (October 11, 2011). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football,' 'Two & A Half Men,' 'Modern Family' Top Week's Adults 18-49 Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
10. Seidman, Robert (October 18, 2011). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football,' 'Two and a Half Men,' 'Modern Family,' 'NCIS' Top Week #4 Viewing". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
11. Gorman, Bill (October 25, 2011). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football' Beaten By 'Modern Family' & 'Two and a Half Men' In Week #5 Among Adults 18-49". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
12. Seidman, Robert (November 8, 2011). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: Ravens-Steelers, LSU-Alabama, 'Modern Family' Top Week #7 Among Adults 18-49". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
13. Gorman, Bill (November 15, 2011). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football,' 'Big Bang Theory' Top Week #8 Among Adults 18-49". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 15, 2011.
14. Gorman, Bill (November 22, 2011). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football,' 'Modern Family' Top Week 9 Among Adults 18-49". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
15. Seidman, Robert (December 13, 2011). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football,' 'Modern Family,' 'Two and a Half Men' Top Week 12". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
16. Gorman, Bill (December 20, 2011). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Sunday Night Football,' 'Two and a Half Men,' 'NCIS' Top Week 13". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 20, 2011.
17. Seidman, Robert (January 24, 2012). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: Giants-49ers, 'American Idol,' 'Big Bang Theory' Top Week 18". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
18. Gorman, Bill (January 31, 2012). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'American Idol,' 'Big Bang Theory' Top Week 19". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
19. Gorman, Bill (February 14, 2012). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Grammy Awards,' 'The Voice,' 'The Big Bang Theory' Top Week 21". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 14, 2012.
20. Seidman, Robert (February 22, 2012). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'American Idol,' 'The Voice,' 'The Big Bang Theory' and 'NCIS' Top Week 22". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
21. Kondolojy, Amanda (February 28, 2012). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'Academy Awards' Towers Over The Week, 'Big Bang Theory' Is Top Scripted Show". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 28, 2012.
22. Seidman, Robert (March 6, 2012). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'The Voice,' 'American Idol,' 'Modern Family,' NCIS Top Week 24". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
23. Bibel, Sara (March 20, 2012). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'American Idol,' 'The Voice,' 'Modern Family' Top Week 26 Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 20, 2012.
24. Kondolojy, Amanda (March 27, 2012). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'American Idol', 'NCIS' Top Week 27 Ratings". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
25. Bibel, Sara (April 10, 2012). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'American Idol,' 'Big Bang Theory', 'The Voice,'and 'Person of Interest' Top Week 29 Viewing". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
26. Kondolojy, Amanda (May 8, 2012). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'American Idol', 'The Big Bang Theory' & 'NCIS' Top Week 33 Viewing". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 8, 2012.
27. Bibel, Sara (May 15, 2012). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'American Idol' & 'NCIS' Top Week 34 Viewing". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
28. Kondolojy, Amanda (May 22, 2012). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: 'American Idol', 'NCIS' Top Week 35 Viewing". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 22, 2012.

General references

• "Shows A-Z - criminal minds on cbs". the Futon Critic. Retrieved April 13, 2012.

External links

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