Criminal Minds Evolution (1×06) True Conviction Review

For our review of the last episode of Criminal Minds: Evolution, click here.

After a midseason finale that aired what felt like an eternity ago, Criminal Minds: Evolution is back for the back half of its new streaming season. The midseason finale of course ended with a cliffhanger that saw JJ and Alvez at risk, escaping a Sicarius shipping container as it was set to explode. Those worried about them should not be because they survived (perhaps with some emotional scars) but the biggest development out of that incident is that their jet is back thanks to Bailey seemingly leaning more towards the side of the BAU. As far as they were concerned, in order to catch Sicarius, they would have to hopefully go back to the beginning as a means to understanding his actions in the present. Along those lines, the episode became an origin story of sorts, sprinkling moments between a younger Elias Voit and his uncle Cyrus (Silas Weir Mitchell) who has previously appeared under the form of a hallucination.

After attempting to clear his tracks and tie up loose ends by eliminating Benjamin Reeves (Luke Benward) and exploding the shipping container, Sicarius had to lay low which put him in a more contemplative state of mind as he looked to head closer to home. The death of his parents at a young age put Elias with Cyrus who was as smart as he was ruthless. Learning everything he knew from his uncle who was also very rough on him, it appears that Cyrus was more like a Sicarius Sr. to Elias’ Sicarius Jr. until the latter felt ready to leave the roost. Meanwhile, as the BAU was rummaging through the remnants of the exploded shipping container, they found a potential lead but the clock was put back on them to solve the case before being shut down once again.

That lead led the BAU to a death row case in North Carolina for a crime committed 20 years prior that was prosecuted by Lewis’ girlfriend Rebecca Wilson (Nicole Pacent) which made for awkward territory but the man on death row appeared to be innocent and covering for someone despite having confessed. This may have been because he was being blackmailed by Cyrus in a situation that may or may not be connected to the present Sicarius where he could possibly have been set up as the fall guy. Cyrus was a potential suspect back then but it never panned out. Getting a stay on that execution essentially marked the end for Lewis and Wilson.

On another front, as victims from previous shipping containers were identified, victimology became increasingly clearer while gaps between kills suggested a level of discipline that perhaps came from another life such as one with a family. And other evidence potentially hinted to Sicarius’ hunting ground.

This episode also saw Garcia and Greene’s relationship go to yet another level as the latter got the heartbreaking news that the sister he sought was confirmed as one of Sicarius’ victims. His cooperation resulted in his release which only enabled his subsequent downward spiral for which she was there to pick up the pieces and help. Either she felt bad for him or there were real feelings there.

In the end, the last loose end for Sicarius was Cyrus who was surprisingly still alive though barely. Finally standing up to him, he said his peace as he put his uncle out of his misery. This episode was a showcase for Zach Gilford where despite rushing that origin story by forcing it in the episode, Sicarius’ progression of confidence through the episode was compelling to watch. The young wig was admittedly distracting though.

With the BAU’s sights on Sicarius, that focus definitely makes for a more compelling watch as the season hopefully moves away from its kill kit case-of-the-week procedural format.

still courtesy of Paramount+

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.