After 14 seasons of being destroyed by the word "un-sub" about every four minutes, the 15th season (opens in new tab) of the crime investigation show Criminal Minds (opens in new tab) is finally entering its final season. The final season will last just 10 episodes (the most so far is at least 20) and will feature longtime Criminal Minds cast members Joe Mantegna, Matthew Gray Gubler, Kirsten Vangsness, Paget Brewster, and A.J. Cook, along with recent cast additions and longtime guest star Jane Lynch will be in full force.

Unlike the first 14 seasons, the final season began airing in CBS' midseason slot, rather than in the fall of 2019 as originally anticipated. Here's what else we know about the final season of the show that made everyone in America double-check that their doors are locked before bed (as any longtime viewer knows, suburban homes are not the safest).

Oh, thank God. Lynch has been playing Reed's genius mother since the first season. Her character, Diana, suffers from schizophrenia, and Reed hospitalized Diana when she was growing up. In season 12, Diana was kidnapped and after being saved by the BAU (because of course), she and Reed had an emotional reunion. That was the last time Diana was seen.

"A happy ending awaits Reed. (opens in new tab)

On TV Line, Messer said: (opens in new tab) "You get to see what our team does when they're not in the roundtable room getting briefed, getting on a jet plane, going to another city."

"If we had our way completely, we wouldn't have crimes to solve. [This program has been around longer than "Friends."

We even got matching rings to commemorate our appearance on the show.

The key to the final season will be the long-awaited showdown between Rossi and the Chameleon, played by Michael Mosley. Rossi "will close out the 10 episodes with a showdown [with the Chameleon]," showrunner Erica Messer said in a January interview with Deadline. (opens in new tab)

Daniel Henney told TV Line: (opens in new tab) "Overall, (season) 15 has more of an arc through the episodes than previous seasons. (opens in new tab) "Overall, I would say that (Season) 15 has more of an arc through the episodes than previous seasons.

Then it's the same as usual.

Oh, and in the same interview with Deadline, Messer teased that stars in the form of old uncredited and old cast members might return for a final farewell.

She also said that she would not be willing to kill off some of her most beloved longtime characters. She said, "I know it's a drama, but it's not often that I write something in a way that hurts someone or says they're not breathing anymore." (Read the full interview here (opens in new tab))

The cast most in demand by fans would be Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner, played by Thomas Gibson, Derek Morgan, played by Shemar Moore, and Jason Gideon, played by Mandy Patinkin. Gibson was abruptly fired from the show over anger management issues (Gibson denies that he was violent, as the network claims), and Patinkin described his tenure on Criminal Minds as his "biggest public mistake," adding, "This show was very destructive to my soul and personality." he adds, suggesting that the show should never have been made in the first place. (Open in new tab)

Shemar Moore is different. Moore has returned twice for guest appearances, and plot-wise, the showrunners have left open the possibility of his return in the future. He certainly seems to have a good relationship (open in new tab) with the show and its network, but he is also the star of "S.W.A.T.," which is currently on the air, so he may have scheduling conflicts. (Ironically, S.W.A.T. will be on the air until Season 15. has replaced the Wednesday slot once occupied by Criminal Minds. thick)

Never mind, it's just a speck of debris in my eye. I'm fine.

The final episode has already been filmed and the series ended in May.

I Wish That Love Interest Was Me: Rachael Leigh Cook, of She's All That and Josie and the Pussycats fame, guest stars as Reid's love interest. (Open in new tab) At the beginning of the season, we see JJ and Reed's friendship begin to recover from JJ's confession that she was in love with him, but then Lee Cook comes to steal Reed's heart; JJ congratulates Reed on his new love interest and tells him: "Whoever this conversation was with

"She put a smile on your face that I haven't seen in a really long time.

On JJ's confession, Messer told TV Line (opens in new tab): "We ...... I can't pretend it didn't happen. It's definitely a huge driver for the first handful of episodes, which helps add layers to those characters again."

The interview was a great success.

In another interview, she confirmed that Reed will meet Max.

Aisha Tyler, one of the show's current stars, told TV Line that the show's finale will be "massive, explosive, transformative" and full of "really good surprises." (Open in new tab) Messer also said it will be "tear-jerking."

In other words, look at this Watch cover.

In an interview after the shoot, Kirsten Vangsnes said (open in new tab): "I am lucky, I keep in touch with everyone and stay very connected. They are my family and I can't say there is anyone I miss more than the others."

She also said.

Matthew Gray Gubler's maniacal smile (one might say almost sub-like) is quite appropriate here.

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