Best Characters From Criminal Minds

The Top Ten
1 Spencer Reid

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 in some respects started off being emotionally frail, he's not let anyone break him. He's gone through a lot and yet is able to sympathise with people - especially females and children. Sure, there are times when his silence hint on an inablity to express his feelings, or they may make him seem cold - especially when he's quoting statistics on crime and when talking to some people - but there are others when he is anything but cold. And this constant change in his behaviour is actually likeable.

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

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

Sure, there are times when he over-thinks things and relies too much on his intelligent and little on instinct, which can come off as though he's simply a stereotype - what with his inability to shoot straight at first, and play softball (? ) (though I can relate... never played it ) - but these weaknesses just make him a stronger character.

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

As for his skill-set... that talks 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)

2 Penelope Garcia

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 favourite on the show.

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

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

3 Emily Prentiss

These rankings on this list are quite appalling in my opinion. To rank Prentiss, J.J, Morgan, and Garcia above Hotchner, Gideon, and Rossi is absurd. I understand that Prentiss, J.J, Morgan, and Garcia are the most personable and likable characters. When it comes to deductive abilities, contribution and critical thinking, Hotchner, Gideon, and Rossi trump the others preceding them in this list. I understand Reid being ranked as number 1 but he can definitely be contended by either Gideon or Rossi. Gideon is known as the best profiler that the BAU ever had and had 30 years of experience. Rossi was there from the beginning when the BAU was first formed and worked the cases that are referenced in the current cases when using profiling comparisons. Hotchner was the one who saved Reid when he was captured and drugged. Hotchner was also the one who figured out the terrorist cell bombing that targeted the hospital and he contributed the most to stop the biological weapon use. Elle was the strongest and most impressive female agent in my opinion.

4 Derek Morgan

This is crazy but true... I want to be a BAU Profiler when I grow up! So know I watch this all the time because of that! I am so determined, my gram calls me insane. I saved my college money just to get a master degree in criminology school!

Okay Obviously number 1 is Reid and number 2 is JJ but come on Derek is a 1000 times better than Emily she's overly serious at times and then overly emotional at times pick a role for goodness sakes.

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..

5 Jennifer Jareau (J.J.)

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

In the first seasons, I was confused why she was even there. She had very little to contribute to the investigations and her chemistry with the other members of the team.

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

6 Jason Gideon

Underrated. Ass. 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 with his character 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 on whether he was a good guy if he was still in the show for a few more seasons. His smile was beautiful and I miss him.

7 Aaron Hotchner

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 as 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 their he would have gotten reid out quite quickly...

8 Elle Greenaway

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 really didn't like her she was so dull.

I don't know why she is not liked.

9 David Rossi David Wade Ross is an American professional baseball catcher for the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball.

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)

dude really need's to STOP making book about killer's, all he is doing is making " how to " book's for killer, how many time's has a unsub said " I read your book's" or " I got it from one of book's". come on you are a smart man rossi. so stop making the book's.

10 Luke Alvez
The Contenders
11 Ashley Seaver

I really didn't like her as ashley, she was better on csi.

12 Tara Lewis
13 Alex Blake

Loved her mother-son relationship with Reid.

She was smart and good at her job and she was like a mother to Reid

14 Cat Adams
15 George Foyet
16 Erin Strauss

They killed her off once I started to like her.

17 Kate Callahan

Funny and underrated. Not the best but a good character.

I liked kate I was sad to see her go.

18 Stephen Walker
19 Peter Lewis
20 Jordan Todd
21 Izzy Rogers
22 Matthew Simmons
23 Diana Reid
24 Kevin Lynch

I thought he was good, I don't know why so many people don't like him

25 Everett Lynch
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