Criminal Minds S01E01 – “Extreme Aggressor” Review: A Gritty, Gripping Start to a Classic Crime Series

Just rewatched the very first episode of Criminal Minds, and even after all these years, “Extreme Aggressor” still holds up as a chilling introduction to one of TV’s most iconic crime dramas.

From the start, the tone is dark, intense, and smartly psychological. We meet the original BAU team, including the calm genius Dr. Spencer Reid, the no-nonsense Gideon, and the always composed Hotchner. The dynamic between them is fresh, and the script does a solid job of quickly establishing their unique strengths.

The episode’s unsub (unknown subject) is genuinely creepy, and the case unfolds with a nice balance of procedural detail and emotional tension. You can already tell this show isn’t about shootouts and car chases—it’s about getting into the minds of killers, and that’s what makes it so addicting.

Even though the production style feels a bit early-2000s now, the storytelling still hits hard. It sets the tone for what becomes a long-running, character-driven series that goes way deeper than your average cop show.

Verdict: A strong, suspenseful pilot with just enough darkness and depth to keep you coming back for more.

Rating: 8.5/10
Still one of the best crime show openers out there!