Best Characters From Criminal Minds

He's a great agent who understands his duty and is unlikely to snap. And when he does, you've got to admit - it's hilarious.

"'...a very special message that your mother is a- '"

He's loyal to his friends, and though he started off being emotionally frail in some respects, he hasn't let anyone break him. He's gone through a lot and yet is able to sympathize with people, especially females and children. Sure, there are times when his silence hints at an inability to express his feelings, or it may make him seem cold - especially when he's quoting statistics on crime and when talking to some people - but there are other times when he is anything but cold. This constant change in his behavior is actually likable.

His child-like love for Halloween is always sweet to watch, and he tends to say the most innocent things.

"'I didn't even get to say goodbye.'"

Sure, there are times when he over-thinks things and relies too much on his intelligence and too little on instinct. This can make him come off as a stereotype, with his initial inability to shoot straight or play softball (though I can relate... never played it). However, these weaknesses just make him a stronger character.

He isn't as cold as Prentiss may come off, or as over-enthusiastic as Garcia (though I love her character as a whole), or as in-your-face as Morgan when he's angry. Because he doesn't fit into these extremes, he fits into the type of character I like. That is not to say that the other characters don't have their strengths and lovable characteristics, but Reid is by far the best.

As for his skill set... that speaks mostly for itself. But how is it that he has a doctorate in engineering yet has done nothing in any of those fields? (Then again, I'm just on season 9.)

One of the funniest and arguably most important members on the team (name one case that wasn't solved using her computer skills). Penelope is just plain awesome! Her relationship with Morgan is also, by far, my favorite on the show.

In a show like Criminal Minds, it is important to have someone like Garcia, or else the show would be more depressing than it already is.

She is the glue and comic relief. I love drama, but she brings the right amount of levity and humor to the show.

Ok, picking my favorite Criminal Minds character is SO HARD! I love them all so much for different reasons. The only character that I didn't love as much was Elle. I'm not hating. I just loved the other characters more.

Emily - I think Emily is my favorite. I go back and forth between characters, but I always come back to her. I still love the other characters SO MUCH! I liked her character, and she was really smart. The chemistry and relationship she had with the other characters were lovable, and she had faith in a lot of people, like Jordan, the girl who took over for JJ on maternity leave. She can speak 8 languages! Not to mention she has great interrogation skills and is very observant of behavior. Even though everyone else is too, I just like the things she notices.

JJ - I love JJ. She's sweet, kind, and intelligent. She never really lets her emotions get the best of her, and she's an amazing mom as well as an amazing friend to everyone in the bureau. She's so pretty too!

Garcia - Aw, I just love Penelope. She always sees the good in people, and she's just so innocent. All you can do is love her. Her personality is so bright and fun, and her friendly relationships with everyone, especially Morgan, are just so lovable. I absolutely love how kind and welcoming she is. When she jokes around with the other characters, it's always a memorable moment.

Gideon - I always loved Gideon. He was so smart, kind, patient, and gentle. His relationship with Reid was my favorite. He was like a father figure. His letter to Reid was so sweet and made me feel sad but content at the same time.

Reid - Aw, I love Reid. He's hilarious when he tries to be conversational, but no one has any idea what he's talking about. He's smart, and I love that. He's so young, yet Hotch and everyone else can rely on him when they're in a tough spot in the investigation. I love how he grows as a character too. And like Emily, I like the things he figures out from... more

Okay, obviously number 1 is Reid and number 2 is JJ, but come on. Derek is a thousand times better than Emily. She's overly serious at times and then overly emotional at other times. Pick a role, for goodness' sake.

Sex for the eyes. That's why he's my number two. The only reason he's not above Reid is because Lord knows I love myself some adorable nerd.

He's the best, even better than Reid, because he's brave, strong, smart, funny, kind, and he's good-looking.

J.J. is the kindest, sweetest, and most human character on the show, but it does not prevent her from being intelligent, strong, and talented. She has many facets, and it's really interesting!

She is just awesome. No one can ever replace her. I think she is the strongest, smartest, and best agent in Criminal Minds. This was about Jennifer Jareau, but Andrea Joy Cook, I love her eyes.

She is strong, compassionate, kind, and smart. She is there for all of the agents, and she is beautiful. What's not to love?

Underrated character. He may have been overly serious sometimes, but the way he smiled and the way he always encouraged his team in times of doubt made him so memorable to me.

"The Game" and "Revelations" really hit me hard. Knowing that he's gone now breaks my heart. The fact that he skipped clubbing to read about birds just says everything about him. I knew I loved him when he started talking to the camera in "Revelations" to tell Reid that he was strong and could get through the whole thing.

I wish he could have been in the show longer. I'm sure people wouldn't be debating whether he was a good guy if he had stayed in the show for a few more seasons. His smile was beautiful, and I miss him.

Hotch is a highly complex and well-developed character who puts his duty above all else despite the numerous tragedies he has experienced as a result of his job.

Criminal Minds without Hotch is not the phenomenal show it used to be, as is evident from the drop in views by nearly 50% in Season 13 compared to all the previous seasons. Aaron Hotchner is and will forever be the one and only true leader of the team.

He was the best agent, according to me. Had he been there, he would have gotten Reid out quite quickly.

I believe that she was the blueprint for the other female characters. I don't like her ending and the plotline that she got.

I don't know why she is not liked.

I watch the show over and over for Rossi! He has quite a bit of background in theater - I just found out he was in Hair (great play, by the way).