These Iconic And Gripping Scenes From "Criminal Minds" Will Remind You Why This Is One Of The Best Shows To Have Ever Graced Television

Yes, of course there is Spencer Reid content.

*Spoilers ahead*

Criminal Minds is an iconic show that, even after 18 years since its first episode, continues to live in my head rent-free. That said, though there are so many incredible moments from the show, here are 10 of my most favorite and memorable moments:

1. Season 3, Episode19 — Hotch defends the BAU in court:

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The 19th episode of Season 3 includes one of the most iconic Hotch scenes, where a lawyer, Lester Sterling, doubts profiling and labels it as "intellectual guesswork." Hotch jumps at the opportunity to defend the reputation of the BAU, and does so without breaking a sweat. Not only does Hotch succeed in humiliating Sterling, but it also shows just how good of a profiler Hotch really is. 

2. Season 6, Episode 1 — JJ's emotional speech:

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In the first episode of Season 6, Tim Curry continues to play the serial killer, Billy Flynn. JJ steps in as a hostage negotiator and appeals to Flynn as a mother, giving audiences this powerful and vulnerable speech: "Look...you can probably tell I'm not a hostage negotiator. But I am a mother." In this episode, JJ steps outside her comfort zone and empathizes with Flynn, which ultimately helps save the hostage.

3. Season 3, Episode 14 — Dr. Spencer Reid psychoanalyzes a serial killer on the spot:

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The 14th episode of Season 3 may focus on David Rossi, however, Spencer Reid steals the spotlight when he speaks to serial killer, Chester Hardwick. Hotch and Reid travel to interview Hardwick, as requested by the killer himself. However, they become trapped in the room with Hardwick as all personnel are in the yard with the other inmates. Hardwick reveals that he intends to kill Hotch and Reid to delay his execution. Reid attempts to prevent this by distracting Hardwick, claiming he knows why he killed the people he did. Intrigued by this, Hardwick listens to Reid as he rapidly describes Hardwick's mental state, thus keeping him distracted until the guards return. This scene showcases Reid's intellect, plus his affinity for rambling on and on. The real kicker is when Hardwick asks Reid, "Is that true? I never had a chance?" and Reid responds, "I don't know, maybe."

4. Season 1, Episode 14 — Sarah Jean, period:

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In my opinion, the 14th episode of Season 1 is one of the most emotional in the entirety of the show's run. Sarah Jean and her husband, Jacob Dawes, were imprisoned and sentenced to execution for the murders of over a dozen women. Before the execution, though, the BAU goes and interviews them. Sarah Jean was also convicted for the murder of her 2-year-old son, Riley. However, her gentle manner convinces SSA Jason Gideon that she is innocent. Gideon discovers that Riley is still alive, and that Sarah Jean is protecting him from her husband as well as the truth surrounding his parents. Sarah Jean's sacrifice thanks to the belief that she neglected her duty as a mother — since she was unaware that her husband was murdering young women — has to be one of the saddest, but also one of the most memorable, moments in the series. 

5. Season 6, Episode 18 — Garcia's voicemail to Emily:

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This episode, titled "Lauren," continues the plot line of Emily Prentiss and her complicated history. As the team unravels Emily's past after she runs away, Emily begins looking for the man coming after her, Ian Doyle. In order to find her, Hotch instructs Garcia to call all of her known numbers and to leave a voicemail on all of the calls. Emily receives one of the voicemails Penelope leaves her, resulting in an extremely moving moment in the show that displays the friendship and chemistry of the BAU team. 

6. Season 2, Episode 12 — Morgan confronts his childhood abuser:

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In the episode, "Profiler, Profiled," Morgan is arrested for murder when visiting his family in Chicago. The BAU team must then delve into his past to prove his innocence, which leads them to a man named Carl Buford. Morgan refuses to explain his connection to Buford, and audiences realize why after Morgan escapes his cell and goes to confront Buford himself. Shemar Moore gives a powerful performance when viewers find out that Buford molested Morgan as a child. 

7. Season 8, Episode 12 — Spencer and Maeve finally meet:

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In a deep well filled with sad episodes of Criminal Minds, the episode "Zugzwang" is one of the saddest. The plot focuses on Spencer and his girlfriend, Maeve, who has been kidnapped by her stalker. The BAU races to save her, which eventually leads to Spencer offering to sacrifice his life to save Maeve's. However, Reid and the team are unsuccessful, and he loses the love of his life right in front of him. What makes this episode so memorable and heartbreaking is that Spencer and Maeve only saw each other in person one time — right before she died. 

8. Season 5, Episode 9 — The Reaper's retaliation:

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Once again, an unsub personally targets the team and the people they love. In the Season 5 episode, "100," the serial killer, George Foyet, known as the Boston Reaper, targets Aaron Hotchner's ex-wife, Haley, and their son, Jack. The team rapidly tries getting to Hotch's family before Foyet causes any harm, but they are too late. Haley and Hotch share a final, emotional phone call before Foyet shoots her. Hotch then kills Foyet out of anger, leaving the episode as one of the most heartbreaking, intense, and jaw-dropping of the entire show. 

9. Season 11, Episode 18 — Morgan reveals his son's name:

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In this episode, Derek Morgan's fiancée, Savannah, gets shot. She survives, but the child she is pregnant with barely does. The child is born at 33 weeks, and is named Hank Spencer Morgan. Morgan reveals his son is named after his father and his little brother, whom he considers to be Spencer. This leads to a touching conversation between Morgan and Reid, where Morgan tells Spencer that he is "the best little brother anybody could ever ask for", which is why Spencer was also chosen to be the godfather. 

10. Season 15, Episode 10 — The series finale:

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Of course, the Criminal Minds finale is one of the most memorable moments. In the episode titled, "And In the End," the final scene shows the team dancing to the song "Heroes" by David Bowie, which perfectly wrapped up the 15-year journey they experienced as a family.