Criminal Minds: Evolution - Episodes 1 &2
The rumors are finally a reality! A short 2.5 years after the 15 season show ended, we already have a reboot season. They have named it Criminal Minds: Evolution but have also listed it as Season 16 so it doesn't rule out this continuing.
I remember when this was a rumor and assumed it wouldn't happen so soon but man am I glad to be wrong. Lets start off with addressing the various character story lines. They managed to do a lot of this right off the bat which I appreciated!
Emily Prentis: promoted to section chief, that takes up most of her time
David Rossi: something is very off with him, he is obsessed. Someone died a year ago. Not stated if it was from COVID or who it is initially. We do find out later that it was his wife Krystall who he married at the end of Season 15.
JJ: Spending a lot of time away from home, still with Will although relationship is a bit strained
Luke Alvez: not dating Penelope but it was confirmed that they went on 1 date. The 2 are still very flirty. Has been holding down the fort at Quantico
Penelope Garcia: Came up with a secure social media site called SOAR, lives a life of peace away from the BAU. Has become very confident and at home with herself - the boundaries she puts up is amazing
Tara Lewis: Nothing much except that she has a girlfriend and it isn't the first woman she has dated
Reid and Simmons: away on assignment "it is up to them when they come back" I feel like that was directed at the actors as well.
Now onto the unsub. Well, actually unsubs. You knew that the shipping container had to be connected or we wouldn't be seeing it/spending so much time on it but I like that we don't find out why until the very end of the first episode.
These episode are much more cinematic and feel more like a horror movie. I like that they started to move more in this direction. It adds a new element and keeps it interesting which is difficult to do after 15 seasons. I think part of the reason why it ended in 2020 is that they didn't have many places left to go with storylines. The pandemic actually gave them a great opportunity for this storyline. I think, depending on how this season goes, they could get a couple of seasons out of the implications the pandemic had on social behavior and its relations to killing.
This idea of a serial killer network is so intriguing - I am excited to see how they go about trying to catch the head unsub without feeling like they are playing whack a mole. This also means we will get different cases each week with the underlying plot of the network. I like the layers they are adding.
Another major plot point (if there wasn't enough already) is that someone is trying to shut down the BAU. Again. I feel like this plot point has been so many times and I hate it. But it makes sense that they would also have this going. It wouldn't be Criminal Minds if they didn't have upper management coming for them.
One part I am missing is the jet. I know it was explained that budget cuts took it away but a big part of Criminal Minds was the "Wheels Up", so why take that away? Hopefully we see it come back when they defeat the upper management again. Also, why separate them? Wtf! I am glad these cases have brought them back together so they can be reminded how much better they work as a team.
All in all, I love this reboot. I hope we see MGG come back and would even love to see appearances from other old cast members like Derek or Hotch. Or even mentioned I would be happy just to get updates how they are. I love how nostalgic this is even though the show just ended. I am excited to see how the rest of this of this season goes.
Episode 1:
Director: Nelson McCormick
Writers: Jeff Davis and Erica Messer
Favorite moment: Seeing everyone again and getting their updates! And also Penelope hanging up on Rossi for his poor behavior.
Rating: 8.5/10
Episode 2:
Director: Nelson McCormick
Writers: Jeff Davis and Erica Messer
Favorite moment: Rossi checking out of his hotel and the team deciding to fight fot his family they have. Also, Penelope coming back to the BAU and facing the trauma after healing from it outside of the BAU.
Rating: 9/10