Criminal Minds Evolution (1×07) What Doesn’t Kill Us Review

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

With the BAU’s sights set on Sicarius, he may very well destroy himself first. Facing so many curveballs over the course of their investigation, the Behavioral Analysis Unit is faced with yet another one as their own Sicarius investigation is under threat of being shut down prematurely. But while that was in limbo, the unit was given an unrelated case to investigate in what amounted to a mostly filler episode offering a few pieces that do connect to the main storyline of the season and help drive it forward. That being said, this new case was basically a means to an end as a way to better endear Bailey to the rest of the team as both their fates rested on the Sicarius case which was arguably the biggest case in the history of the BAU. In a surprising turn of events, Nicholas D’Agosto is making Bailey work as his likeability keeps shining through in spite of being the so-called antagonist of the BAU early on. For better or worse, Bailey was now firmly on the side of the BAU.

While so consumed by the Sicarius investigation, it’s easy to forget that there were other pending cases needing to be solved. As the fate of the Sicarius case laid in the balance, the BAU was tasked to prove that they could still solve a case. A series of missing person cases leading to the death of a man via exsanguination called their attention while another woman was also missing. With Lewis pursuing a Sicarius lead solo as a distraction from her recent relationship drama, Bailey became part of the team met with plenty of reluctance. Coming out of nowhere, because of what is known about him, he nevertheless proved his worth. The key was determining the connection between the two known victims and a newfound third one. In the end, they were being punished for what they represented to the unsub. Both women abducted by the unsub fought back but were saved just in time by the BAU who found where they were being held as Bailey was tested in the field. Despite the win, it was not enough to save the Sicarius investigation.

Trying to readjust with his family, Elias’ frustrations trickled into that side of his life which did not go unnoticed by his wife who had a feeling that something was wrong. It was clear that he was devolving when his wife confronted him about the truth behind his many absences but was yet to make the connection that he was Sicarius. However, that friction meant some time away from his family for his sake and theirs.

Garcia had a conflict of her own with her budding relationship with Green. An obvious conflict of interest with him being a material witness in an important investigation, Prentiss demanded she put an end to it but that was going to be easier said than done with this new version of Garcia. This may create some issues down the road. Meanwhile, an RFID chip recovered from the burned storage container led Lewis to a missing dog connected to a past country hardware store encounter where Sicarius flirted with the cashier.

Sending Rossi the surveillance footage from that encounter, he managed to spot Sicarius and make a positive ID. While knowing what he looks like is one thing, capturing him is another. Regardless, that showdown will be epic.

With the revival renewed for a second season, one can’t help but think about the story’s trajectory as this first season comes to an end. The intensity of the Sicarius storyline has kind of tapered off as of late so hopefully this season finds a way to finish strong. Though he has been a worthy adversary, it’s time to think about starting to move on. Allegedly filming later this year, hopefully they can bring back some missing past characters in a full or even recurring capacity. Reid was referenced in this episode so he is out there somewhere therefore there is hope assuming that it wasn’t a throwaway line.

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.