<P> On June 11, 2017, it was announced that Damon Gupton had been let go from the show after one season . CBS said his departure was "part of a creative change on the show". His character Stephen Walker was killed off - screen in the season premiere . In May 2018, Deadline reported that the real reason Damon Gupton was let go from the show was because he reportedly stole stuff from the set and threatened some of the cast members . </P> <P> On June 20, 2017, CBS announced that Daniel Henney, who was a series regular on Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders as Matt Simmons, would join the main show as a series regular for the thirteenth season . </P> <P> On October 12, 2017, it was announced that Shemar Moore would reprise his role as Derek Morgan in the fifth episode of the season ("Lucky Strikes"). His character returned to help Penelope Garcia get through a tough time . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> No . overall </Th> <Th> No. in season </Th> <Th> Title </Th> <Th> Directed by </Th> <Th> Written by </Th> <Th> Original air date </Th> <Th> Prod . code </Th> <Th> US viewers (millions) </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 278 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Wheels Up" </Td> <Td> Glenn Kershaw </Td> <Td> Breen Frazier </Td> <Td> September 27, 2017 (2017 - 09 - 27) </Td> <Td> 1301 </Td> <Td> 7.00 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When escaped serial killer Peter Lewis (Bodhi Elfman) launches a devastating final assault on the BAU and takes one of their own as a hostage, Garcia brings in former International Response Team member Matt Simmons (Daniel Henney) to help apprehend Lewis before more lives are lost . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 279 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "To A Better Place" </Td> <Td> Diana C. Valentine </Td> <Td> Bruce Zimmerman </Td> <Td> October 4, 2017 (2017 - 10 - 04) </Td> <Td> 1302 </Td> <Td> 6.17 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When suitcases containing human remains are found throughout Naples, Florida, the BAU returns from their bureau - dictated vacation to find a connection between the victims before the killer takes another life . Meanwhile, Reid learns about a condition to his reinstatement and the team officially welcomes Simmons into the fold . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 280 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Blue Angel" </Td> <Td> Sharat Raju </Td> <Td> Christopher Barbour </Td> <Td> October 11, 2017 (2017 - 10 - 11) </Td> <Td> 1304 </Td> <Td> 5.87 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When two businessmen are emasculated in Detroit, Michigan, the BAU investigates a connection between the victims only to discover a family secret that changes the course of the investigation . Meanwhile, Simmons finds himself bonding with an escort involved in the case . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 281 </Th> <Td> </Td> <Td> "Killer App" </Td> <Td> Alec Smight </Td> <Td> Stephanie SenGupta </Td> <Td> October 18, 2017 (2017 - 10 - 18) </Td> <Td> 1303 </Td> <Td> 5.94 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When a workplace shooting in Silicon Valley claims the lives of three employees, the BAU works with the Department of Homeland Security to determine if the shooting was personal and why the victims were targeted . Meanwhile, Prentiss confronts Alvez about the events surrounding his final confrontation with Peter Lewis . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 282 </Th> <Td> 5 </Td> <Td> "Lucky Strikes" </Td> <Td> Tawnia McKiernan </Td> <Td> Jim Clemente </Td> <Td> October 25, 2017 (2017 - 10 - 25) </Td> <Td> 1306 </Td> <Td> 5.91 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When a Florida prostitute is found dead with both legs and several fingers missing, the BAU sets out to determine if cannibalistic serial killer Floyd Feylinn Ferell (Jamie Kennedy) has embarked on another spree or if a copycat killer is responsible . Meanwhile, former SSA Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) helps Garcia when she becomes overwhelmed by memories of a ten - year - old trauma . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 283 </Th> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> "The Bunker" </Td> <Td> Aisha Tyler </Td> <Td> Karen Maser </Td> <Td> November 8, 2017 (2017 - 11 - 08) </Td> <Td> 1305 </Td> <Td> 5.50 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When a missing persons case is connected to a series of abductions throughout Virginia, the BAU sets out to find a connection between the victims only to unearth an unusual motive . Meanwhile, JJ connects with a woman who believes her sister's disappearance may be connected to the investigation and Garcia searches for a new apartment . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 284 </Th> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> "Dust and Bones" </Td> <Td> Marcus Stokes </Td> <Td> Erica Meredith </Td> <Td> November 15, 2017 (2017 - 11 - 15) </Td> <Td> 1307 </Td> <Td> 5.64 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When two women are abducted and permanently disfigured in Austin, Texas, the BAU determines that the attacker has a dangerous obsession with a vicious creature . Meanwhile, Alvez struggles to find a way to help his former Fugitive Task Force partner come to terms with his paralysis . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 285 </Th> <Td> 8 </Td> <Td> "Neon Terror" </Td> <Td> Bethany Rooney </Td> <Td> Erik Stiller </Td> <Td> November 22, 2017 (2017 - 11 - 22) </Td> <Td> 1308 </Td> <Td> 6.31 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When the latest in a series of robbery - homicides occurs in Miami, Florida, the BAU investigates only to suspect that they are dealing with an unsub who seeks attention by releasing footage of his crimes to the media . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 286 </Th> <Td> 9 </Td> <Td> "False Flag" </Td> <Td> Joe Mantegna </Td> <Td> Breen Frazier </Td> <Td> December 6, 2017 (2017 - 12 - 06) </Td> <Td> 1309 </Td> <Td> 5.34 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When two members of a Roswell, New Mexico conspiracy theory group die in quick succession, the BAU suspects that the crimes were committed by a serial killer only to find themselves reexamining the evidence following a catastrophic encounter . Meanwhile, Lewis struggles to keep her emotions in check as she interrogates a young podcaster (Zelda Williams) with ties to the group . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 287 </Th> <Td> 10 </Td> <Td> "Submerged" </Td> <Td> Rob Bailey </Td> <Td> Bruce Zimmerman </Td> <Td> January 3, 2018 (2018 - 01 - 03) </Td> <Td> 1310 </Td> <Td> 5.41 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When the latest in a series of perplexing robbery - homicides occurs in Ramona, California, the BAU works with a frustrated sheriff (Lou Diamond Phillips) to track down a serial killer with mysterious motives and an even more mysterious past . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 288 </Th> <Td> 11 </Td> <Td> "Full - Tilt Boogie" </Td> <Td> Simon Mirren </Td> <Td> Erica Messer & Kirsten Vangsness </Td> <Td> January 10, 2018 (2018 - 01 - 10) </Td> <Td> 1311 </Td> <Td> 5.70 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When the wife of a Virginia police chief survives a brutal home invasion - homicide, the BAU coordinates with her husband and the local authorities to catch her attempted killer only to uncover a multitude of secrets being kept by the town's inhabitants . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 289 </Th> <Td> 12 </Td> <Td> "Bad Moon on the Rise" </Td> <Td> Christoph Schrewe </Td> <Td> Karen Maser </Td> <Td> January 17, 2018 (2018 - 01 - 17) </Td> <Td> 1312 </Td> <Td> 5.63 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When the gruesome murder of a New York City jogger is connected to a series of equally gruesome murder - mutilations, the BAU searches Central Park for a killer who may be suffering from a syndrome that makes him believe he is a gruesome monster . Meanwhile, Alvez deals with the fallout of a blind date gone wrong . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 290 </Th> <Td> 13 </Td> <Td> "Cure" </Td> <Td> Glenn Kershaw </Td> <Td> Christopher Barbour </Td> <Td> January 24, 2018 (2018 - 01 - 24) </Td> <Td> 1313 </Td> <Td> 5.30 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When a cryptic message is found inside the mouth of a Washington, D.C. financier, the BAU sets out to catch a serial killer determined to eradicate institutions of power . Meanwhile, JJ grows increasingly concerned after receiving an email asking her to sit down with Assistant Director Linda Barnes (Kim Rhodes). </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 291 </Th> <Td> 14 </Td> <Td> "Miasma" </Td> <Td> Leon Ichaso </Td> <Td> Erica Meredith </Td> <Td> January 31, 2018 (2018 - 01 - 31) </Td> <Td> 1314 </Td> <Td> 5.42 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When a mass grave is uncovered in a New Orleans cemetery, the BAU searches for a killer who sees himself as a modern - day plague doctor . Meanwhile, Prentiss finds herself forced to endure a hostile interrogation after Barnes suspends her from active duty and summons her for an internal audit . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 292 </Th> <Td> 15 </Td> <Td> "Annihilator" </Td> <Td> Rob Bailey </Td> <Td> Erik Stiller </Td> <Td> March 7, 2018 (2018 - 03 - 07) </Td> <Td> 1315 </Td> <Td> 5.04 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> With Prentiss still suspended from active duty and Reid refusing to work without her, Barnes takes the lead and joins the remaining members of the BAU as they search St. Louis for the perpetrator of a quadruple homicide . Meanwhile, Reid attempts to dissuade Prentiss from making a bold decision . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 293 </Th> <Td> 16 </Td> <Td> "Last Gasp" </Td> <Td> Adam Rodriguez </Td> <Td> Stephanie SenGupta </Td> <Td> March 14, 2018 (2018 - 03 - 14) </Td> <Td> 1316 </Td> <Td> 5.69 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> In the wake of Barnes' attempt to restructure the BAU, the divided team works behind her back to identify a serial abductor who photographs Washington, D.C. call girls before killing them and incinerating their bodies . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 294 </Th> <Td> 17 </Td> <Td> "The Capilanos" </Td> <Td> Matthew Gray Gubler </Td> <Td> Erica Messer </Td> <Td> March 21, 2018 (2018 - 03 - 21) </Td> <Td> 1317 </Td> <Td> 5.26 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When a seven - year - old child residing in Guymon, Oklahoma claims a man dressed as a clown killed his father, the BAU attempts to determine whether or not the child's statement is true . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 295 </Th> <Td> 18 </Td> <Td> "The Dance of Love" </Td> <Td> Joe Mantegna </Td> <Td> Bruce Zimmerman </Td> <Td> March 28, 2018 (2018 - 03 - 28) </Td> <Td> 1318 </Td> <Td> 6.59 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When two women residing in Chicago, Illinois are stabbed to death on consecutive nights and found with a single red rose in their mouths, the BAU searches for a serial killer with unexpected motives . Meanwhile, Rossi takes personal time off after receiving a phone call from his third ex-wife Krystall (Gail O'Grady). </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 296 </Th> <Td> 19 </Td> <Td> "Ex Parte" </Td> <Td> Lily Mariye </Td> <Td> Christopher Barbour </Td> <Td> April 4, 2018 (2018 - 04 - 04) </Td> <Td> 1319 </Td> <Td> 5.90 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When a hostage situation takes place at the Washington, D.C. law firm where Simmons' wife Kristy (Kelly Frye) works, the BAU juggles resolving the unfolding crisis and determining the perpetrators' motives . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 297 </Th> <Td> 20 </Td> <Td> "All You Can Eat" </Td> <Td> Diana C. Valentine </Td> <Td> Karen Maser </Td> <Td> April 11, 2018 (2018 - 04 - 11) </Td> <Td> 1320 </Td> <Td> 5.20 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When two sudden deaths in Virginia are believed to be acts of bioterrorism, the BAU works with the CDC to prevent a large - scale incident from taking place . Meanwhile, Garcia reunites with her stepbrother Carlos (Sebastian Sozzi) after learning that the drunk driver who killed their parents is eligible for parole . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 298 </Th> <Td> 21 </Td> <Td> "Mixed Signals" </Td> <Td> Alec Smight </Td> <Td> Erica Meredith & Erik Stiller </Td> <Td> April 18, 2018 (2018 - 04 - 18) </Td> <Td> 1321 </Td> <Td> 5.92 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When two people residing in Taos, New Mexico are subjected to crude lobotomies, the BAU suspects the perpetrator is obsessed with proving an inexplicable collection of phenomena exists . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> 299 </Th> <Td> 22 </Td> <Td> "Believer" </Td> <Td> Glenn Kershaw </Td> <Td> Breen Frazier </Td> <Td> April 18, 2018 (2018 - 04 - 18) </Td> <Td> 1322 </Td> <Td> 5.39 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="8"> When a former VICAP agent is found locked inside a storage unit, the BAU investigates his frantic claims of an active serial killer nicknamed "The Strangler" only to find themselves questioning everything they think they know . </Td> </Tr> </Table>

When is criminal minds season 13 episode 23 coming out