The eighth season of Criminal Minds premiered on CBS on September 26, 2012. The series was renewed on March 14, 2012.[1]
In Canada, season eight aired one day earlier on CTV than on CBS in the United States.
Cast
On February 15, 2012, Deadline Hollywood reported that Paget Brewster (Emily Prentiss) would leave the show once season seven was over. All other main cast members had secured deals for the season.[2] On June 13, 2012, CBS announced that Jeanne Tripplehorn would join the cast of the show.[3]
When a Texas prison inmate escapes during a routine transfer and a guard is subsequently found with his mouth sewn shut, the BAU works with the U.S. Marshals Service to determine whether or not a serial killer known as "The Silencer" has resurfaced. Meanwhile, the team welcomes its newest member, linguistics expert Alex Blake (Jeanne Tripplehorn), into the fold.
When two seemingly unrelated murders – one in San Diego, California, and one in Los Angeles, California – are committed within hours of each other, the BAU suspects two killers are working in concert to exact revenge against criminals released by the justice system. Meanwhile, Rossi comes up with a unique way to spend his accumulating vacation days.
When three members of a Kansas City, Kansas, family are found dead from an apparent murder-suicide and another family is subsequently reported missing, the BAU sets out to track down the perpetrator by establishing a connection between the two cases. Meanwhile, Hotch receives surprising news that threatens to test his relationship with Beth (Bellamy Young).
When a legless corpse is found in Juarez, Mexico, and an unwilling amputee subsequently turns up at an Albuquerque, New Mexico, motel, the BAU sets out to profile an amateur surgeon (Ray Wise) whose narcissism has gotten to his head. Meanwhile, Reid's secret phone conversations with a mysterious woman (Beth Riesgraf) leave the rest of the team intrigued.
When four La Grande, Oregon, men go missing and a puddle of vomit found on at the latest crime scene reveals the latest victim had elevated levels of melatonin in his system, the BAU attempts to find a common link among the victims. Meanwhile, JJ grows worried after learning Henry is adamant about not celebrating Halloween.
When a Miami, Florida, prostitute is murdered in a manner similar to a series of recent animal killings, the BAU sets out to profile an escalating killer with an older accomplice. Meanwhile, Morgan attempts to convince Reid to join the bureau softball team and Hotch receives an unnerving phone call.
The BAU returns to California to track down a mission-oriented killer after three homeless people are abducted, burned beyond recognition, and found near the Santa Monica Pier. Meanwhile, Rossi reflects on his days as a Marine fighting in Vietnam when he encounters his former sergeant (Meshach Taylor).
When a school bus transporting twenty-four high school students disappears outside Washington, D.C., the BAU juggles searching for the missing students, profiling the kidnappers, and identifying the twisted motive behind the brazen crime.
When two Seattle, Washington, residents are stabbed to death in their respective homes and the prime suspect mysteriously disappears, the BAU attempts to establish a connection between the two events. Meanwhile, Garcia grows concerned after Morgan refuses to attend a gathering at the British Embassy.
When the bodies of two Winslow, Arizona, men are found in coffin-like boxes with marked changes in their appearance, the BAU sets out to track down a "collector"-type killer (Brad Dourif) with an unusual obsession. Meanwhile, Reid grows increasingly anxious after Maeve proposes a face-to-face meeting.
When two victims in two separate Southern states are hammered to death through a chisel in the back of the head, the BAU launches an intense manhunt for a killer whose signature matches that of a killer from thirty years ago. Meanwhile, Hotch tells the rest of the team someone is deliberately replicating crimes they recently solved.
When Reid learns Maeve has disappeared and receives a cryptic message that leads him to conclude her stalker has taken her, he asks the team for help to find her. The BAU juggles profiling the kidnapper, tracking both abductor and Maeve down, and preventing one of their own from suffering a mental breakdown.
With Reid secluding himself in the wake of Maeve's death, the remaining members of the BAU return to California and set out to identify a San Francisco serial killer who drains his victims of their blood before leaving their bodies in select places throughout the Mission District.
When two Salisbury, Maryland, sisters are reported missing on the one-year anniversary of their mother's mysterious disappearance, the BAU juggles determining their location and determining whether or not their father is a suspect in both crimes.
When three Austin, Texas, civilians are savagely beaten to death and subsequently found with their watches set to a specific time, the BAU attempts to profile a killer suffering from a severe identity crisis.
When two Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, nurses are found exsanguinated with their eyelids removed, the BAU suspects the crimes were committed by "The Replicator" and sets out to prevent him from striking again. Meanwhile, Blake struggles with her personal demons after learning Strauss wants to make amends for her past actions.
With the Replicator case declared inactive, the BAU sets out to track down a serial killer targeting Saint Paul, Minnesota, women who document their personal lives and inner fantasies on social media sites. Meanwhile, Garcia suspects Kevin is jealous of her new love interest after introducing them to each other.
When three Chicago, Illinois, men are beaten to death and found with their pants pulled down to their legs, the BAU attempts to identify a spree killer who sees his victims as child molestors. Meanwhile, Morgan becomes personally involved in the case after a major revelation forces him to confront his childhood abuser.
When a retired Colorado police deputy's decapitated corpse is found hours after a severed head is discovered at the opening of a twenty-five-year old time capsule, the BAU juggles delving into the victims' personal lives and profiling an escalating vigilante who perceives his victims as hypocrites.
When two South Dakota men are poisoned, dismembered, and found with ritualistic markings on their bodies, the BAU juggles building a profile and identifying the motive behind the bizarre crimes. Meanwhile, Reid works with Rossi to determine the cause of his recent bouts of insomnia.
When a California serial killer who annually abducts nannies and the children they watch on the same day strikes earlier than usual in Los Angeles, the BAU juggles tracking down the missing nanny and child and convincing the only known survivor to help identify the killer.
When two Detroit, Michigan, couples are found dead from multiple superficial stab wounds to the abdomen, the BAU determines the killer is forcing his victims to fatally stab each other in order to fulfill a twisted need. Meanwhile, Blake contemplates her future with the team after her husband, James, (D.W. Moffett) returns from overseas with a potentially life-changing proposition.
When Hotch receives a phone call from his brother Sean (Eric Johnson) while on vacation in New York City and several civilians are found dead from apparent ecstasy overdoses, the BAU attempts to profile a sociopathic killer attempting to make a statement. Meanwhile, Hotch struggles to keep himself from becoming emotionally involved in the case.
When "The Replicator" hacks into Garcia's computer system, kills Strauss by breaking into her hotel room and forcing her to drink ecstasy-laced wine, and leaves Hotch a taunting message, the team juggles mourning the loss of one of their own and identifying the motive behind the stalker-turned-serial killer's twisted spree.
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