| Criminal Minds | |
|---|---|
| Season 5 | |
![]() Season 5 U.S. DVD cover | |
| Starring | |
| No. of episodes | 23 |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release | September 23, 2009 (2009-09-23) – May 26, 2010 (2010-05-26) |
| Season chronology | |
← Previous Season 4 Next → Season 6 | |
| List of episodes | |
The fifth season ofCriminal Minds premiered onCBS on September 23, 2009 and ended May 26, 2010. Episode 18 was a pilot episode for thespin-off seriesCriminal Minds: Suspect Behavior.

In the season premiere "Nameless, Faceless",D. B. Sweeney guest-starred as Sam Kassmeyer, a U.S. Marshal who is assigned to protect Aaron Hotchner's family until George Foyet is caught.Christopher Cousins guest-starred as Dr. Tom Barton, a trauma surgeon whose son is targeted by the father of a teenage boy Barton tried to save. In the episode "Haunted",Sean Patrick Flanery guest-starred as Darrin Call, a spree killer who has never forgotten the day his father's last victim escaped.Glenn Morshower guest-starred as Lieutenant Kevin Mitchell, who leads the investigation of the shooting.Michael Bowen guest-starred as Tommy Phillips, the lone survivor of Darrin's father Bill Jarvis, a.k.a. "The Hollow Creek Killer", played byDon Creech. In the episode "Reckoner",Lawrence Pressman guest-starred as Boyd Schuller, a terminally ill court judge who hires Tony Mecacci to commit a series of vigilante murders.

In the episode "Hopeless",Clayne Crawford andBlake Shields guest-starred as C. Vincent and J.R. Baker, a gang of thrill killers known as "Turner's Group."Wade Williams guest-starred as Detective Andrews, who leads the investigation of the murders. In the episode "Cradle to Grave",Mae Whitman andHallee Hirsh guest-starred as Julie and Carol, two women who are abducted by a married couple, who are unable to have children due to the wife dying frombreast cancer. In the episode "The Performer",Gavin Rossdale guest-starred as Paul "Dante" Davies, a famous rock musician who is suspected of murdering several of his fans.Eddie Jemison guest-starred as Paul's manager, Ray Campion, who is responsible for the murders, as was his accomplice, Gina King, played byInbar Lavi. In the episode "Outfoxed",Neal Jones reprises as Karl Arnold, a.k.a. "The Fox", where he is interviewed by Hotch and Prentiss, who are investigating someone who is copying Arnold's murders.

In the episode "The Slave of Duty",Wes Brown guest-starred as Joe Belser, a.k.a. "The Nashville Stalker", a misogynistic serial killer andKhary Payton guest-starred as Detective Landon Kaminski, who leads the investigation of the murders. In the episode "Retaliation",Lee Tergesen guest-starred as Dale Schrader, a serial killer who escapes police custody and abducts the family of his former accomplice. In the episode "The Uncanny Valley",Jonathan Frakes guest-starred as Dr. Arthur Malcolm, a pedophile who molested his daughter, Samantha, and gave her porcelain dolls away to another girl. Rosalie Ward guest-starred as Bethany Wallace, a woman who is abducted by Samantha Malcolm. In the episode "Risky Business",John Pyper-Ferguson guest-starred as Wilson Summers, a father who created a viral internet game that convinces young teenagers to commit suicide.

In the episode "Parasite",Victor Webster guest-starred as Bill Hodges, a serial killer who has a wife and two other lovers.Annabeth Gish guest-starred as Bill's wife, Rebecca, andValerie Cruz guest-starred as Bill's secret lover, Brooke Sanchez. In the episode "Public Enemy",Sprague Grayden guest-starred as Meg Collins, a religious mother and wife whose husband is murdered by Connor O'Brien, a spree killer who murders people simply to generate fear among the public. In the episode "Mosley Lane",Bud Cort andBeth Grant guest-starred as Roger and Anita Roycewood, a married couple who abduct children and cremate their remains after sedating them.Ann Cusack guest-starred as Sarah Hillridge, an alcoholic mother and wife whose son has been missing for eight years, andBrooke Smith guest-starred as Barbara Lynch, a mother and wife whose daughter, Aimee, is abducted by the Roycewoods.

In the episode "Solitary Man",Morgan Lily guest-starred as Jody Hatchett, a young girl whose father, Wade, abducts mothers for Jody and would later tell her about his escapades as fairytales.Gabrielle Carteris guest-starred as Nancy Campbell, the last victim whom Wade abducts. In the episode "The Fight",Alexa Nikolas guest-starred as Jane McBride, a teenage girl who is abducted by John Vincent Bell, along with her father, Ben.Lesley Fera guest-starred as Leslie McBride. In the episode "A Rite of Passage",Mike Doyle guest-starred as Deputy Ronald Boyd, a serial killer who is targeting illegal immigrants trying to cross the U.S. border.Marlene Forte guest-starred as Sheriff Eva Ruiz, who aids the BAU with the investigation of the murders until Ronald murders her. In the episode "A Thousand Words", Jolene Andersen guest-starred as Juliet Monroe, a pregnant widow who has been abducting women for several years until she dies giving birth to her son.

In the episode "Exit Wounds",Mark L. Young guest-starred as Owen Porter, a serial killer and, at one point, a cannibal, from an abusive family.Eric Ladin guest-starred as Joshua Beardsley, a man who seeks vengeance against Porter for murdering his mother Carol, played byDale Dickey. In the episode "The Internet is Forever",Ned Schmidtke guest-starred as Austin Chapman, the criminal accomplice of Robert Johnson, a.k.a. "The Internet Killer." In the season finale "Our Darkest Hour",Tim Curry guest-starred as one of the series most notorious criminals, Billy Flynn, a.k.a. "The Prince of Darkness", a serial killer who murders all but one victim.Eric Close guest-starred as Matt Spicer, a police detective leading the Prince of Darkness case,Robert Davi guest-starred as Spicer's partner, Detective Adam Kurzbard, andLinda Purl guest-starred as Colleen Everson, a woman who, after Billy Flynn raped her and murdered her husband, attempted suicide twice.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | 1 | "Nameless, Faceless" | Charles S. Carroll | Chris Mundy | September 23, 2009 (2009-09-23) | 501 | 15.84[1] |
With Hotch missing and the events of their previous case still weighing on them, the remaining members of the BAU coordinate with local authorities inMcLean, Virginia to protect an emergency room doctor and his son from a former patient determined to avenge a wrongful death. Meanwhile, a serial killer from the team's past (C. Thomas Howell) enacts a sinister master plan involving one of their own. | |||||||
| 93 | 2 | "Haunted" | Jon Cassar | Erica Messer | September 30, 2009 (2009-09-30) | 502 | 14.24[2] |
When aLouisville, Kentucky man suffers a psychotic break and stabs several people at a pharmacy, the BAU juggles putting together a profile and working with local authorities to track him down. Meanwhile, Hotch continues recovering from Foyet's attack and Prentiss notices a disturbing change in his behavior. | |||||||
| 94 | 3 | "Reckoner" | Karen Gaviola | Dan Dworkin & Jay Beattie | October 7, 2009 (2009-10-07) | 503 | 14.05[3] |
When threeCommack, Long Island residents are shot at close range and mutilated post-mortem, the BAU sets out to track down a hitman hired to commit a series of vigilante murders. Meanwhile, Rossi finds himself forced to face his past after discovering a connection between a childhood friend and one of the hitman's intended targets. | |||||||
| 95 | 4 | "Hopeless" | Félix Alcalá | Chris Mundy | October 14, 2009 (2009-10-14) | 504 | 13.92[4] |
When a series of escalating vandalism incidents culminate in a quadruple homicide, the BAU works with theMetropolitan Police Department to track down a three-person killing team who commit crimes for the thrill of violence. Meanwhile, Morgan finds himself forging a personal connection with a woman related to one of the victims. | |||||||
| 96 | 5 | "Cradle to Grave" | Rob Spera | Breen Frazier | October 21, 2009 (2009-10-21) | 505 | 14.27[5] |
When threeAlbuquerque, New Mexico women are abducted, impregnated, and strangled to death minutes after giving birth, the BAU sets out to track down a serial killer with an unusual motivation. Meanwhile, Hotch starts giving Morgan additional duties after receiving a surprise visit from Section Chief Strauss. | |||||||
| 97 | 6 | "The Eyes Have It" | Glenn Kershaw | Oanh Ly | November 4, 2009 (2009-11-04) | 506 | 12.55[6] |
With Morgan officially replacing Hotch as Unit Chief, the BAU sets out to profile and track down anOklahoma City, Oklahoma serial killer who removes his victims' eyes and keeps them as souvenirs. | |||||||
| 98 | 7 | "The Performer" | John Badham | Holly Harold | November 11, 2009 (2009-11-11) | 507 | 12.77[7] |
When threeLos Angeles, California women are bludgeoned to death and drained of their blood, the BAU juggles working with an ally from their past (Ian Anthony Dale) and considering whether or not a Goth rock star (Gavin Rossdale) is responsible for the crimes committed. | |||||||
| 99 | 8 | "Outfoxed" | John Gallagher | Simon Mirren | November 18, 2009 (2009-11-18) | 508 | 13.70[8] |
When twoHampton, Virginia military families die while the fathers are overseas, the BAU determines the crimes are similar to those committed by incarcerated family annihilator Karl Arnold (Neal Jones) and works with him to capture the killer. Meanwhile, Hotch grows increasingly unnerved after receiving an ominous message. | |||||||
| 100 | 9 | "100" | Edward Allen Bernero | Bo Crese[N 1] | November 25, 2009 (2009-11-25) | 509 | 13.61[9] |
Following an encounter with George Foyet at Hotch's former residence, the BAU submits to individual questioning about the events leading up to and surrounding their attempt to prevent him from further threatening Haley and Jack. | |||||||
| 101 | 10 | "The Slave of Duty" | Charles Haid | Rick Dunkle | December 9, 2009 (2009-12-09) | 510 | 14.43[10] |
With Hotch taking a leave of absence to contemplate his future with the FBI, the BAU travels toNashville, Tennessee to apprehend a serial killer who stalks women and romances them against their will before killing them. | |||||||
| 102 | 11 | "Retaliation" | Félix Alcalá | Erica Messer | December 16, 2009 (2009-12-16) | 511 | 14.68[11] |
While concluding a case involving aLockport, New York ex-convict and his daughter, the BAU find themselves searching for an ulterior motive when the man escapes with the help of a previously unknown accomplice and embarks on a killing spree. | |||||||
| 103 | 12 | "The Uncanny Valley" | Anna J. Foerster | Breen Frazier | January 13, 2010 (2010-01-13) | 512 | 13.90[12] |
When twoAtlantic City, New Jersey women are found dead from drug-induced paralysis, the BAU sets out to profile a female serial killer who abducts certain types of women for an unusual personal obsession. | |||||||
| 104 | 13 | "Risky Business" | Rob Spera | Jim Clemente | January 20, 2010 (2010-01-20) | 513 | 14.91[13] |
When fourEvanston, Wyoming teenagers commit suicide within a two-week period, the BAU concentrates their efforts on an online "choking game" that manipulates high school students into participating and seeing who can outdo everyone else. | |||||||
| 105 | 14 | "Parasite" | Charles S. Carroll | Oanh Ly | February 3, 2010 (2010-02-03) | 514 | 14.75[14] |
When an agent from the FBI's White Collar Crime Division suspects the con artist he has been tracking is responsible for aMiami, Florida woman's murder, the BAU sets out profile a budding spree killer who kills the people he cons to prevent them from exposing his activities. | |||||||
| 106 | 15 | "Public Enemy" | Nelson McCormick | Jess Prenter Prosser | February 10, 2010 (2010-02-10) | 515 | 14.33[15] |
When threeProvidence, Rhode Island residents are stabbed to death in locations considered to be pillars of the community, the BAU sets out to profile and track down a serial killer bent on generating mass hysteria. | |||||||
| 107 | 16 | "Mosley Lane" | Matthew Gray Gubler | Simon Mirren &Erica Messer | March 3, 2010 (2010-03-03) | 516 | 13.00[16] |
When an eight-year-old girl goes missing inAshburn, Virginia and a single mother (Ann Cusack) claims the abduction is connected to that of her son, Charlie (Evan Peters), the BAU finds themselves forced to track down a predator who has been responsible for kidnapping twelve children over the course of a decade. | |||||||
| 108 | 17 | "Solitary Man" | Rob Hardy | Kimberly Ann Harrison & Ryan Gibson | March 10, 2010 (2010-03-10) | 517 | 13.29[17] |
When the FBI's Highway Serial Killer Database suggests five women found strangled to death across multiple jurisdictional lines were killed by a budding spree killer, the BAU attempts to track down a trucker based out ofEdgewood, New Mexico on a personal mission. | |||||||
| 109 | 18 | "The Fight" | Richard Shepard | Teleplay by : Chris Mundy Story by : Chris Mundy &Edward Allen Bernero | April 7, 2010 (2010-04-07) | 518 | 12.70[18] |
When aSan Francisco, California homeless man is found dead and a father and his teenage daughter are subsequently abducted, the BAU works with SSA Sam Cooper (Forest Whitaker) and the Red Cell Unit, a rapid response team with nonconventional methods, to find a connection between the two cases. This episode serves as the backdoor-pilot episode forCriminal Minds: Suspect Behavior. | |||||||
| 110 | 19 | "A Rite of Passage" | John Gallagher | Victor De Jesus | April 14, 2010 (2010-04-14) | 519 | 12.44[19] |
When three decapitated human heads are unearthed inTerlingua, Texas, the BAU sets out to profile and track down a serial killer who targets illegal immigrants crossing theMexico–United States border. | |||||||
| 111 | 20 | "…A Thousand Words" | Rosemary Rodriguez | Edward Allen Bernero | May 5, 2010 (2010-05-05) | 520 | 12.39[20] |
When aTallahassee, Florida college student goes missing the same night a man commits suicide and local authorities discover photographs and newspaper clippings of women who have been killed over the past decade, the BAU juggles profiling the deceased man and rescuing his latest victim. | |||||||
| 112 | 21 | "Exit Wounds" | Charles S. Carroll | Rick Dunkle | May 12, 2010 (2010-05-12) | 521 | 13.07[21] |
When threeAlaska civilians are killed over the course of a single week, the BAU attempts to identify a serial killer with an obsession for hunting. Meanwhile, Garcia accompanies the team and finds herself in a dangerous situation. | |||||||
| 113 | 22 | "The Internet Is Forever" | Glenn Kershaw | Breen Frazier | May 19, 2010 (2010-05-19) | 522 | 13.25[22] |
When threeBoise, Idaho women go missing and videos of their deaths are posted on the Internet, the BAU juggles profiling a killer who uses social networking websites as his hunting ground and tracking him down before he kills his next victim. | |||||||
| 114 | 23 | "Our Darkest Hour" | Edward Allen Bernero | Erica Messer | May 26, 2010 (2010-05-26) | 523 | 12.97[23] |
When aLos Angeles, California spree killer uses rolling blackouts as a cover to commit murder, the BAU juggles tracking him down and dealing with an unexpected connection that promises to change the course of the investigation. | |||||||
| The Complete Fifth Season | ||||
| Set details | Special features | |||
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| DVD release date | ||||
| Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | ||
| September 7, 2010 (2010-09-07)[24] | February 28, 2011 (2011-02-28)[25] | March 2, 2011 (2011-03-02)[26] | ||