That said, Criminal Minds’ serialized storytelling in years past didn’t necessarily run for more than a handful of episodes at a time.
Serialized storytelling isn’t entirely new to Criminal Minds.
Going by Erica Messer’s tease about what’s to come, it sounds like the second half of Season 12 will be one big story with no breaks for filler in between, which is a big difference.
The show has explored serials multiple times over its twelve season so far, and often with great success.