Criminal Minds Evolution (1×10) Dead End Review

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

It’s Rossi’s turn to find himself in danger now apparently but there’s still the issue of Elias Voit out there which ultimately make things not so simple. However, if there are anyone who can rise to the challenge, it’s the BAU. All things considered, the case that has consumed this revival season hasn’t always been necessarily straightforward so it’s hard to see anything changing now at the season finale. In the end, knowing Elias, he certainly still has a few tricks up his sleeve. The result is a thrilling episode full of impactful moments albeit one with an ending that may ruffle the feathers of viewers looking for a sense of finality.

The beginning of Dead End did not waste time establishing stakes for Rossi as he was faced with his own mortality while trapped in a storage container revealed to be buried underground. Despite the circumstances, the game between he and Elias was far from over but unlike the latter, he had more than just Rossi to worry about. Meanwhile, the BAU remained on the case of both as finding Rossi and Elias inevitably went hand-in-hand. Of course, they know more about Elias than ever before and now it was time to put a profile together and spread it out. For those above the BAU, the process wasn’t as clear-cut and somehow found a way to get in the way though it was the least of their concerns for most of them as far as their leader was concerned. So some backroom dealing needed to be done.

As Elias continued with his plan, Rossi found the courage to continue with his which made for an interesting dichotomy. Getting his family in line was a wildcard that still proved to be tough but they barely been more than just there so they didn’t really matter all that much at the end of the day. Both bled into each other in interesting ways as everything eventually came together. Bailey played a surprisingly larger role here as he put himself up front as Elias was more than aware of the power dynamic among seemingly much more. Perhaps it was getting to his head a little too much as that overconfidence cost him his life as Elias was captured by the BAU.

Capturing Elias was only the beginning as Rossi was still out there but not for too much longer. Those looking for something to happen to Elias post-capture, the US government was interested in him for something he knew as he continued to hold onto his trump card. Whatever that is remains to be seen as the season ends on a cliffhanger so it looks like Elias is making it to Season 2. Zach Gilford truly brought it by the end as he and Joe Mantegna were the highlights here while one can’t help but feel bad for Nicholas D’Agosto’s Bailey who also came on late. Though it’s admirable to have a plan, the lack of finality is slightly disappointing.

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.