Criminal Minds is an American police procedural crime drama television series created by Jeff Davis that premiered on CBS on September 22, 2005. It follows a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as members of its Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). Criminal Minds became a ratings success …
Well, folks, it’s official: ‘Criminal Minds’ is wrapping up its last case with the 20th season on Paramount+. If you’ve been following the show since it first aired, you probably feel like you’ve spent more time with the BAU team than with your own family. And let’s be honest, sometimes the BAU team is way more entertaining than the folks at your last family reunion.
For those of you who might have been living under a rock—or perhaps just binge-watching something else entirely—‘Criminal Minds’ has been the go-to show for anyone who enjoys a good dose of crime drama mixed with a sprinkle of psychological profiling. The show, which has been formally titled ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ since its move to the streaming platform in 2022, has had its fair share of ups and downs, but one thing is for sure: it’s been a wild ride.
When the show first premiered back in 2005, we were introduced to a group of elite FBI profilers who seemed to have a sixth sense for figuring out what makes the criminal mind tick. I mean, who knew that understanding the psyche of a serial killer could be so… captivating? It’s like watching a really intense game of chess, except instead of pawns, you have very disturbed individuals with very disturbed motivations.
As we gear up for the final season, it’s hard not to reminisce about some of the show’s most memorable moments. From the heart-wrenching backstories of our favorite characters to the countless plot twists that left us gasping for breath (or yelling at the screen), ‘Criminal Minds’ has kept us on the edge of our seats for nearly two decades. And let’s not forget the iconic catchphrases that have become part of our pop culture lexicon. “We’re not just solving crimes; we’re saving lives!”—or something equally dramatic that makes you want to put on a badge and start profiling people at the grocery store.
Now, as we prepare for the final curtain call, it’s a bittersweet moment. On one hand, we can look forward to seeing how they tie up all the loose ends, but on the other, we have to face the reality that we won’t be able to watch another episode where Spencer Reid solves a crime while simultaneously making us feel like we should all be reading more books. Seriously, how does he do it?
In the end, ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ aims to leave us with one last dose of suspense and intrigue. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or someone who just occasionally tuned in to see if they’d finally catch that elusive serial killer (spoiler: they usually do), it’s hard to deny the impact this show has had on the crime drama genre.
So, as we gear up for the grand finale, let’s raise a glass (preferably filled with coffee, because let’s be real, these late-night binge sessions are exhausting) to ‘Criminal Minds.’ Here’s to the memories, the chills, and the moments that made us question our own sanity. And remember, if anyone ever asks you what you’ve learned from the show, just say, “Profiling is an art, and I’m a Picasso of criminal behavior.” Cheers!
Inspired by: “‘Criminal Minds’ Ending with 20th Season on Paramount+” (r/Entertainment)