Criminal minds episode guide season 12 Continue Comments Share Previous season of Eleven Season Thirteen Season Twelve is the twelfth season of Criminal Minds. It ran from September 28, 2016 to May 10, 2017. It was released on DVD on September 5, 2017. Season Twelve received 10.860 million viewers and 2.4 points in the A18-49 demo on CBS. The series premiered with 8.92 million U.S. viewers, and the season finale garnered 8.12 million views in the United States. Starring Episodes Title Airdate Writer Season Episode Episode Crimson King September 28, 2016 Bryn Fraser Glenn Kershaw 1,256 Agent Luke Alves joins the BAU team as they are tasked with capturing a serial killer in Tempe, Arizona, who escaped from prison with twelve other convicts. Sick day October 5, 2016 Virgil Williams Larry Teng 2 257 Arriving home after a child abduction case in Los Angeles, painful memories pop up for a shocked J.J., who breaks down and tells a story of his own. Taboo October 12, 2016 Karen Mather Alec Smight 3 258 With Emily Prentiss reunited with the team, BAU investigates the discovery of two dead women in Florida and realize that they are looking for a killer with a peculiar method of removal. Keeper October 26, 2016 Bruce Sharat Raju 4,259 BAU sets off on the Appalachian Trail in rural Virginia in search of a serial killer who works this route. Meanwhile, Reed faces a dilemma with his mother. The Anti-Terrorism Squad November 9, 2016 Stephanie SenGupta Tawnia McKiernan 5 260 BAU is called upon to investigate the murders of two families in Minnesota, with one person surviving for both attacks. As the team delves further into the investigation, they discover a startling link between both survivors, which could provide a motive for the murders. Elliott Pond November 16, 2016 Eric Messer Matthew Gray Gabler 6 261 BAU is called upon to investigate the strange disappearance of three Delaware children who were riding bicycles, and to suspect that it may be related to an unsolved disappearance that occurred more than thirty years ago. Meanwhile, the team gets a startling update on Hotch's absence, and Prentiss faces a stunning decision. Mirror November 30, 2016 Bryn Fraser Joe Mantegna 7 262 When a man claiming to be Lewis' brother reveals he knows secrets about the family, BAU investigates the whereabouts of her actual brother, with whom Lewis lost contact with. Scarecrow December 7, 2016 Karen Mather Christophe Shreve 8 263 When the remains of twelve people are found lying on a creek bed, BAU travels to Yakima, Washington, to find the killer before he kills someone else. In addition, experienced profiler Stephen Walker from the Behavioral Analysis Program joins BAU. Profiling 202 January 4, 2017 Virgil Williams Rob Bailey 9,264 While Rossi teaches a profile class with Prentiss Steven, he gets a phone call that makes him believe that someone from his past is back. Look for and destroy January 11, 2017 Eric Stiller Diana Valentina 10,265 BAU is called to San Diego to investigate a string of deadly home invasions that occur in upscale areas and suspect that crimes are committed by a gang. Surface Tension February 1, 2017 Bruce Oz Scott 11,266 BAU is summoned to Tampa, Florida, to investigate when strange characters are on the bodies of suicide victims, and realize that they are dealing with a very unusual killer. Meanwhile, Reed decides to take his mother out of a clinical trial early to bring her home with him. Good Husband February 8, 2017 Jim Clemente Laura Belsey 12 267 BAU called in Palm Springs, California, to investigate the discovery of badly damaged male bodies. Spencer February 15, 2017 Erica Messer and Kirsten Wangsness Glenn Kershaw 13,268 BAU was teaming up with the International Response Team when one of their own got involved in a riot in Mexico. Collision Course February 22, 2017 Stephanie SenGupta Alec Smight 14 269 BAU is sent to investigate the causes of the rise in fatal car crashes involving drivers and pedestrians in Bradenton, Florida. Besides, Reid gets some bad news. Alpha Male March 1, 2017 Karen Mather Rob Bailey 15 270 When several young men and women are disfigured in acid attacks in Philadelphia, the BAU sets out to find the perpetrator. In addition, Reed begins to settle in his new environment. Help is useless March 15, 2017 Virgil Williams Leon Ichaso 16 271 When the mother suspects that someone next to her is the subject, she turns to BAU for help. In addition, Reed begins to adapt to prison life to survive. In the dark on March 22, 2017 Dani Bennett Diana Valentina 17 272 During the investigation of a series of murders taking place both day and night in Burlington, Vermont, BAU comes to believe that it is the work of two serial killers with completely different M.O.s who work simultaneously. In addition, the team is concerned about Reed's safety in prison. Hell's Kitchen March 29, 2017 Erica Messer Simon Mirren 18,273 BAU is called to New York to find Nezuba, who kidnaps his victims and keeps them in the sewers. In addition, Reed makes a decision that will affect his interaction with other prisoners. True North April 5, 2017 Bruce zimmerman Joe Mantegna 19,274 BAU travels to Arizona when the bodies of three people are found tied to stakes. Meanwhile, Lewis receives a shocking revelation from Reid while visiting him in prison. Unforgettable April 26, 2017 Stephanie SenGupta Carlos Bernard 20 275 When Stephen's friend is one of several federal public servants to from the obvious obvious attack, baus investigate to see if there is more to their deaths. In addition, Reed begins to worry about his trial. Green Light May 3, 2017 Eric Stiller Alec Smight 21 276 When Reid's mother mysteriously disappears, he asks the BAU to investigate if she was kidnapped while he remains in prison. Red Light May 10, 2017 Bryn Frazier Glenn Kershaw 22 277 Caught in an impossible situation, Reid must face an old nemesis. Meanwhile, Derek Morgan comes to the BAU with a lead that could help them find Mr. Scratch. Highlights of the first half of the season mostly focused on BAU tracking and recapturing thirteen serial killers who all escaped from prisons across the U.S. during last season's finale of the Storm. The team has focused on serial killer by proxy Peter Lewis. Two new agents were introduced this season as the main characters. One replaced Derek Morgan, who was written out of the show last season, because of Shemar Moore's decision to leave. Showrunner Erica Messer said the team would continue to handle Morgan's departure and that it would initially affect their relationship with the new agent. The character, Agent Luke Alves, is portrayed by Adam Rodriguez, featured in the premiere episode, and was previously a member of the FBI's Fugitive Task Force. The second new agent is Stephen Walker, played by Damon Gapton and was previously a member of the Behavioral Analysis Program, the FBI's counterintelligence department; it was presented in the eighth episode. On August 11, 2016, it was announced that Thomas Gibson, who portrays Hotch, had been suspended from the show for two weeks following an altercation between him and screenwriter Virgil Williams in which Gibson allegedly kicked Williams. The next day, CBS announced that Gibson's contract with the show had been terminated. His absence was written in the season, in a subplot that includes the character chosen for temporary service (TDY). It later emerged that Hotch and his son Jack had come to the witness stand because of the threat of Peter Lewis' escape. He was still appearing in the first two episodes of the season, when Gibson had already completed filming of his scenes for them. Paget Brewster reprised her role as Emily Prentiss as a series regular, filling the void left by Thomas Gibson's dismissal. In addition, Aisha Tyler repomended her role as Dr. Tara Lewis, filling another series of regular roles. Lewis appeared as a recurring character presented in the previous season. Jane Lynch reprised her role as Reed's mother Diana for the eleventh, twentieth and twenty-second episodes of the season, all for what Erica Messer described as a fun, reed-heavy story arc that has been reviewed in the last nine episodes of the season. He also showed the return of another Unsub from the past. Lost alum Harold Perrineau guest starred a recurring character, former FBI agent Calvin Shaw, who was found guilty of murdering an informant; Perrineau's character was an integral part of this arc. Tatum O'Neill starred in the sixteenth episode as Miranda White, a mother who suspects her son of being a serial killer. The episode was described by Rodriguez as the most horrific episode he had ever seen. Shemar Moore reprised his role as Derek Morgan in the season finale, where he brings in a lead that could be helpful for the team in bringing down Peter Lewis. The season ended on a cliffhanger (first since season 5) when BAU suffered a car ambush committed by Peter, with the fate of many team members unknown. Opening Credits Criminal Minds - Season 12 (Opening Credits) Season 12 Opening Credits Version 1Aisha Tyler returns as Dr. Tara Lewis and Adam Rodriguez joins as Luke Alvez's community content is available according to CC-BY-SA, unless otherwise noted. Season 12DVD cover of artStarring Joe Mantegna Matthew Gray Gubler A.J.