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Criminal Minds S12E16, Assistance Is FutileS12E16

Criminal Minds · Season 12

Criminal Minds season 12 episode 16: Assistance Is Futile

Aired 15 March 201742 minRated TV-14

7.8TMDB · 8 votesMark watched

Where to watch Criminal Minds Season 12 in Australia

Criminal Minds season 12 is streaming in Australia on Paramount Plus (subscription) and Disney+ (subscription, listed for the whole show). You can also buy it on Apple TV from $24.99 and Prime Video Store from $24.99.

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Availability checked 16 November 2026.

What happens in “Assistance Is Futile”

When three women in New York City are found dead with several bones broken, the BAU works with a single mother (Tatum O'Neal) who believes that her son is behind the heinous crimes. Meanwhile, Reid faces a difficult decision after a fellow inmate is threatened.

Episode summary: TMDB.

Before you watch

  • It is episode 16 of 22 of season 12, so watch episodes 1 to 15 first.
  • It runs about 42 minutes.
  • Directed by Leon Ichaso, written by Virgil Williams.
  • TMDB users rate it 7.8 out of 10 (8 votes).

Cast and crew of this episode

Director
Leon Ichaso
Writer
Virgil Williams

Credits: TMDB.

More from Criminal Minds Season 12

Previous · S12E15Alpha Male1 March 2017Next · S12E17In the Dark22 March 2017
  1. E01
  2. E02
  3. E03
  4. E04
  5. E05
  6. E06
  7. E07
  8. E08
  9. E09
  10. E10
  11. E11
  12. E12
  13. E13
  14. E14
  15. E15
  16. E16
  17. E17
  18. E18
  19. E19
  20. E20
  21. E21
  22. E22

Every episode of Season 12Criminal Minds episode guide

Episode names, air dates, runtimes, stills and ratings: TMDB. Air dates are the first broadcast anywhere; where it streams is our daily Australian check.