How Many Episodes are in Season 16 of Criminal Minds?
Criminal Minds is a popular American police procedural television series that premiered on September 22, 2005, and ended on February 19, 2020. The show follows a team of FBI agents as they investigate and solve crimes, particularly in the area of serial murders and other heinous offenses. Over its 15-season run, the show has gained a large following and has received widespread critical acclaim.
Background on Season 16
The 16th season of Criminal Minds was the final season of the show, and it consisted of 10 episodes. The season premiered on January 8, 2020, and concluded on February 19, 2020.
Why Only 10 Episodes?
One of the most common questions about Season 16 of Criminal Minds is why the show only had 10 episodes. The reason for this is that the show’s producers had always intended for the final season to be shorter than previous seasons. The show’s executive producer, Erica Messer, explained in an interview that the decision to make the final season shorter was made to allow the writers to focus on creating a strong and satisfying conclusion to the series.
Key Moments in Season 16
Despite being the final season, Season 16 of Criminal Minds still packed a punch. Here are some of the key moments from the season:
• The Return of Jennifer "JJ" Jareau: After being away from the team for several seasons, Jennifer "JJ" Jareau returned in the season premiere, episode 1. Her return was a major moment for fans of the show, as JJ had become a fan favorite.
• The Introduction of Luke Alvez: Luke Alvez, a former ATF agent, joined the team in episode 2 and quickly became a central character in the season. Alvez brought a new dynamic to the team and played a key role in several cases.
• The Unraveling of Rossi’s Past: Throughout the season, fans learned more about Rossi’s troubled past and his connection to a series of murders in episode 5. This was a major plot point and shed new light on one of the show’s most beloved characters.
• The Final Case: The season finale, episode 10, was a highly anticipated event. The episode was a two-part episode that saw the team tackling a complex case that threatened to destroy the entire BAU. The finale was filled with twists and turns and provided a satisfying conclusion to the series.
Conclusion
Season 16 of Criminal Minds was a fitting conclusion to the beloved series. With only 10 episodes, the season was able to focus on telling a strong and cohesive story that wrapped up loose ends and provided a satisfying conclusion to the series. Fans of the show will likely remember the season for its key moments, including the return of Jennifer "JJ" Jareau and the introduction of Luke Alvez.
Episodes in Season 16 of Criminal Minds
Here is a list of the episodes in Season 16 of Criminal Minds:
| Episode # | Episode Title | Original Air Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "And the Devil Trick or Treats Us" | January 8, 2020 |
| 2 | "Friday Night Dark" | January 15, 2020 |
| 3 | "Overdog" | January 22, 2020 |
| 4 | "Lessons Learned" | January 29, 2020 |
| 5 | "36 Hours" | February 5, 2020 |
| 6 | "Muscle Memory" | February 12, 2020 |
| 7 | "I Didnt Mean to Turn You On" | February 19, 2020 |
| 8 | "And the Heart Breaks" | February 19, 2020 |
| 9 | "And the Children Lead" | February 19, 2020 |
| 10 | "Pick-a-Pee-for-Pei" | February 19, 2020 |
Trivia
- The final season of Criminal Minds was originally planned to be 14 episodes, but the writers were unable to come up with a strong enough storyline for the entire season, leading to the decision to make the season shorter.
- The season finale, episode 10, was the 15th and final episode of the series.
- The show’s executive producer, Erica Messer, has stated that the final season was a difficult one to write, but she is proud of the final product.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Season 16 of Criminal Minds was a fitting conclusion to the beloved series. With only 10 episodes, the season was able to focus on telling a strong and cohesive story that wrapped up loose ends and provided a satisfying conclusion to the series. Fans of the show will likely remember the season for its key moments, including the return of Jennifer "JJ" Jareau and the introduction of Luke Alvez.
