Criminal Minds season 7

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 Hollywood reported that Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss) would leave the series, definitively, once season seven was over. All the other main actors on the show secured deals to return for the eighth season.^[4] The two-hour season finale, which took place on May 16, 2012, reveals Prentiss deciding to leave the BAU.^[5]

Criminal Minds
Season 7
Season 7 U.S. DVD cover
Starring	Joe Mantegna Paget Brewster Shemar Moore Matthew Gray Gubler A. J. Cook Kirsten Vangsness Thomas Gibson
No. of episodes	24
Release
Original network	CBS
Original release	September 21, 2011 (2011-09-21) – May 16, 2012 (2012-05-16)
Season chronology
List of episodes

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

Cast

Main

• Joe Mantegna as Supervisory Special Agent David Rossi (BAU Senior Agent)
• Paget Brewster as Supervisory Special Agent Emily Prentiss (BAU Agent)
• Shemar Moore as Supervisory Special Agent Derek Morgan (BAU Agent)
• Matthew Gray Gubler as Supervisory Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid (BAU Agent)
• A. J. Cook as Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer "JJ" Jareau (BAU Agent)
• Kirsten Vangsness as Special Agent Penelope Garcia (BAU Technical Analyst & Co-Communications Liaison)
• Thomas Gibson as Supervisory Special Agent Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner (BAU Unit Chief & Co-Communications Liaison)

Recurring

• Bellamy Young as Beth Clemmons
• Jayne Atkinson as Supervisory Special Agent Erin Strauss (BAU Section Chief)
• 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 Cy Bradstone, a mentally challenged serial killer who removes his victims' five senses with sulfuric acid. Johanna Braddy guest-starred as Cy's niece, Tammy, and Tracy Middendorf guest-starred as Tammy's mother, Lyla, over whom Cy had a secret obsession. In the episode "Dorado Falls", Max Martini guest-starred as Luke Dolan, a former U.S. Navy Seal suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder and capgras syndrome 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 of Star Trek: Deep Space 9 fame guest-starred as Colonel Ronald Massey, the leader of the Somerville Military Academy and criminal accomplice of both his second in command and of a dead cadet's vengeful father. In the episode "The Bittersweet Science", Shawn Hatosy guest-starred as Jimmy Hall, a professional boxer and spree killer whose son dies of leukemia. David Mazouz who co-starred with Kieffer Sutherland in the TV show Touch plays young Ryan Hall. Charles S. Dutton guest-starred as Tony Cole, Jimmy's boxing trainer.

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 Janeczko, 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. Robert Englund appeared as Detective Gassner, who calls in the BAU for help.

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

See also: List of Criminal Minds episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date	Prod. code	U.S. viewers (millions)
139	1	"It Takes a Village"	Glenn Kershaw	Erica Messer	September 21, 2011 (2011-09-21)	701	14.14[7]
As the BAU testifies before a Senate Committee about their so-called vendetta against Ian Doyle (Timothy V. Murphy), a series of events are revealed in which an investigation into the disappearance of Doyle's son tests the team in ways they never imagined and causes a ghost from their past to return.
140	2	"Proof"	Karen Gaviola	Janine Sherman Barrois	September 28, 2011 (2011-09-28)	702	12.58[8]
When two Durant, Oklahoma women are sexually assaulted and blinded with sulfuric acid, the BAU searches for a killer determined to exact revenge against a face from his past. Meanwhile, JJ confronts Reid about his recent behavior and Rossi organizes a team cooking lesson.
141	3	"Dorado Falls"	Félix Alcalá	Sharon Lee Watson	October 5, 2011 (2011-10-05)	703	13.43[9]
When seven people die in a mass murder at a Virginia Internet security firm and a couple is gunned down in their home, the BAU sets out to establish a connection between both crimes. Meanwhile, Prentiss works with Morgan to prepare for her recertification training.
142	4	"Painless"	Larry Teng	Breen Frazier	October 12, 2011 (2011-10-12)	704	12.87[10]
When a Boise, Idaho principal dies days before the tenth anniversary of a high school massacre, the BAU attempts to track down an injustice collector determined to fulfill a vendetta against the survivors. Meanwhile, Hotch grows increasingly concerned about Jack following a parent-teacher conference and Morgan and Reid engage in a prank war.
143	5	"From Childhood's Hour"	Anna J. Foerster	Bruce Zimmerman	October 19, 2011 (2011-10-19)	705	13.15[11]
When a nine-year-old St. Louis, Missouri boy goes missing and his troubled mother subsequently dies, the BAU searches for a killer who uses his profession to gain his victims' trust. Meanwhile, Rossi uncovers a stunning secret after reconnecting with his first wife (Isabella Hofmann).
144	6	"Epilogue"	Guy Ferland	Rick Dunkle	November 2, 2011 (2011-11-02)	706	12.94[12]
When the bodies of three drowning victims are found in Angeles National Forest, the BAU attempts to profile a killer determined to learn what happens after death. Meanwhile, Rossi contemplates whether or not he should carry out Carolyn's request.
145	7	"There's No Place Like Home"	Rob Spera	Virgil Williams	November 9, 2011 (2011-11-09)	707	11.36[13]
When the mutilated bodies of two Wichita, Kansas teenagers are found following a series of devastating tornadoes, the BAU sets out to catch a Frankenstein-esque killer with a sinister ulterior motive. Meanwhile, JJ deals with unexpected tensions on the home front.
146	8	"Hope"	Michael Watkins	Kimberly Ann Harrison	November 16, 2011 (2011-11-16)	708	12.72[14]
When a member of Garcia's victims' support group goes missing shortly after acknowledging the seventh anniversary of her then adolescent daughter's abduction, the BAU sets out to establish a connection between the two events.
147	9	"Self-Fulfilling Prophecy"	Charlie Haid	Erica Messer	December 7, 2011 (2011-12-07)	709	12.41[15]
When five Florida military academy students are found dead in an apparent mass suicide and another student goes missing, the BAU suspects actions are not what they seem. Meanwhile, Morgan butts heads with Hotch after Strauss makes an uncharacterisitic move.
148	10	"The Bittersweet Science"	Rob Hardy	Janine Sherman Barrois	December 14, 2011 (2011-12-14)	710	12.88[16]
When two Philadelphia, Pennsylvania men are bludgeoned to death, the BAU sets out to track down a killer with connections to the city's boxing scene. Meanwhile, Hotch juggles training for an upcoming triathalton and becoming attracted to a fellow athlete (Bellamy Young).
149	11	"True Genius"	Glenn Kershaw	Sharon Lee Watson	January 18, 2012 (2012-01-18)	711	13.00[17]
When a San Francisco, California couple is found murdered, the BAU sets out to determine whether or not one of history's most elusive killers has returned. Meanwhile, Reid reflects on what he has achieved in life after meeting a fellow prodigy at a violent crimes seminar.
150	12	"Unknown Subject"	Michael Lange	Breen Frazier	January 25, 2012 (2012-01-25)	712	13.82[18]
When a series of sexual assaults in Houston, Texas contain the signature of a prolific serial rapist, the BAU reopens the original investigation and finds themselves pitted against a victim with her own brand of justice. Meanwhile, Prentiss struggles to restrain herself from becoming emotionally involved as the anniversary of her battle with Ian Doyle approaches.
151	13	"Snake Eyes"	Doug Aarniokoski	Bruce Zimmerman	February 8, 2012 (2012-02-08)	713	13.31[19]
When an Atlantic City, New Jersey casino floor manager is beaten to death and eight one dollar bills are found surrounding a playing card on his corpse, the BAU suspects the crime was committed by a ritualistic killer with a gambling addiction. Meanwhile, Garcia fears the worst after waking up from a night of heavy drinking and finding an unexpected visitor in her apartment.
152	14	"Closing Time"	Jesse Warn	Rick Dunkle	February 15, 2012 (2012-02-15)	714	12.19[20]
When three men are gunned down and castrated postmortem while visiting Los Angeles, California on business, the BAU determines the victims and the killer are connected by a personal loss. Meanwhile, Hotch prepares to go on his first date since Haley's death.
153	15	"A Thin Line"	Michael Watkins	Virgil Williams	February 22, 2012 (2012-02-22)	715	12.78[21]
The BAU returns to California after two San Bernardino families are gunned down in apparent gang-related home invasions. Meanwhile, Prentiss and Morgan butt heads after an interesting FBI Academy trainee training session.
154	16	"A Family Affair"	Rob Spera	Kimberly Ann Harrison	February 29, 2012 (2012-02-29)	716	12.54[22]
When two Atlanta, Georgia prostitutes are found stabbed to death, the BAU suspects the crimes were committed by a killing team. Meanwhile, Hotch prepares for the FBI triathlon and JJ plans a girls' night out with Prentiss and Garcia.
155	17	"I Love You, Tommy Brown"	John Terlesky	Janine Sherman Barrois	March 14, 2012 (2012-03-14)	718	11.43[23]
When three Seattle, Washington couples are shot execution-style, the BAU suspects the crimes were committed by a female killer with a maternal instinct. Meanwhile, Garcia grows anxious after overhearing a conversation between Kevin and Morgan.
156	18	"Foundation"	Dermott Downs	Jim Clemente	March 21, 2012 (2012-03-21)	717	12.09[24]
When a Flagstaff, Arizona boy goes missing the same night a Latino teenager is found wandering the desert, the BAU suspects a local woman's repressed memories may hold the key to the kidnapper's identity. Meanwhile, Morgan uses his troubled past to forge a connection with the survivor.
157	19	"Heathridge Manor"	Matthew Gray Gubler	Sharon Lee Watson	April 4, 2012 (2012-04-04)	719	11.34[25]
When a Medford, Oregon mathematics teacher is found dead of nicotine poisoning in a long-abandoned psychiatric institution and a list of potential victims is discovered at the crime scene, the BAU sets out to profile a satanist with a dangerous obsession that stems from a troubled past.
158	20	"The Company"	Nelson McCormick	Breen Frazier	April 11, 2012 (2012-04-11)	720	11.81[26]
When Morgan's older sister gets into a car accident while attempting to follow a woman who eerily resembles their presumed-dead cousin Cindi, the BAU juggle reopening the case into her disappearance and tracking down a sexual sadist involved in a sadomasochist ring.
159	21	"Divining Rod"	Doug Aarniokoski	Bruce Zimmerman	May 2, 2012 (2012-05-02)	721	11.47[26]
When an Enid, Oklahoma woman is stabbed to death the same night a serial killer is executed, the BAU determines the crime was committed by a copycat and sets out to prevent them from taking another life. Meanwhile, Prentiss grows anxious after placing an offer on a house.
160	22	"Profiling 101"	Félix Alcalá	Virgil Williams	May 9, 2012 (2012-05-09)	722	11.62[27]
The BAU presents one of the longest-tenured serial killer cases to a Seattle, Washington university undergraduate class, taking them through a two-decade chase for a prolific serial-turned-spree killer who became known for fatally removing his victims' reproductive organs.
161	23	"Hit"	Michael Lange	Rick Dunkle	May 16, 2012 (2012-05-16)	723	13.68[28]
When a gang of serial-killing robbers take several civilians hostage after failing to infiltrate a Washington, D.C. bank, the BAU juggles profiling the robbers and preventing the situation from devolving. Meanwhile, JJ becomes emotionally involved after learning Will is among the hostages and Prentiss receives a telephone call that forces her to contemplate her future.
162	24	"Run"	Glenn Kershaw	Erica Messer	May 16, 2012 (2012-05-16)	724	13.68[28]
With the remaining members of the Face Cards on the run and Will considered alive but missing, the BAU sets out to prevent one of their own from meeting a violent end after determining the robberies were a front for a sinister ulterior motive. Meanwhile, Prentiss makes an earth-shattering decision that promises to forever redefine the team.

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"	May 16, 2012	13.68[28]	2	6[28]
"Run"	May 16, 2012	13.68[28]	2	6[28]

Home media

The Complete Seventh Season
Set details		Special features
24 episodes 6-disc set (Region 1) 5-disc set (Region 2 & 4) Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Subtitles: English English: Dolby Digital 5.1		Mind's Eye Gag Reel Deleted Scenes
DVD release date
Region 1	Region 2	Region 4
September 4, 2012 (2012-09-04)[29]	November 26, 2012 (2012-11-26)[30]	November 7, 2012 (2012-11-07)[31]