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