Criminal Minds Evolution (2×10) Save the Children Review

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

Essentially saving the children in last week’s episode, the season two finale of Criminal Minds: Evolution (or season 17 finale of Criminal Minds) finished the story as the BAU looked to snuff out Gold Star once and for all. All the pieces this season, including some from last season, all come together in an episode that still had a few twists left up its sleeve. Taking on crazed conspiracy theorists, they’ve proved to be a worthy foe this season but they presented a much different challenge. Therefore, taking them on would require a different strategy. That formula may make for a more lackluster finale on paper but how it all comes together provides plenty of emotion as a result. That being said, that emotional payoff, as the pieces started to come together, could have been so much better had the Gold Star characters been developed much better. The story this season has been as much about them as everything else, however, they are merely a means to an end to advance the story. Where the series ultimately goes from here remains to be seen but regardless of the dangerous situations they found themselves in, the BAU has an innate ability to survive one way or another.

The episode picks up where the last left off, following the explosion triggered by Jade within the Delaware Aida facility. Rossi found himself in a precarious position but that’s as far as the team post-explosion was concerned, everyone was fine except for Prentiss, Jade, and Frank Church who were missing. Clearly something that Jade couldn’t do without help, it was surely the fifth and final member of Gold Star that offered the assistance. Later, awakening in a new location, Jade made quick work dispatching justice to Church as all of the feelings from her time in captivity came rushing back (via a flashback that provided a semi-backstory). However, when it came to dealing with Prentiss, that was a different matter altogether. Putting her on trial for conspiracy to commit murder, Prentiss did her best to talk her way out. Forcing Jade, and whoever her accomplice was, to put their cards on the table, everything suddenly came together. The drama all stemmed back to the death of Doug Bailey (who was murdered by Voit) for which Jade, and Doug’s younger brother Pete (Alex Saxon) and true original Gold Star test subject, believed to have been caused by the FBI, making it the root conspiracy theory. Flashbacks to that final mission and additional scenes to flesh out Doug Bailey and his complicated relationship with Pete, a diehard conspiracy theorist, helped add context to what had happened.

Having to somehow explain what Pete and Jade believed to be true was a lie was quite the challenge. So dug into those beliefs, she would need a lot to get through to them and Brian’s videos definitely didn’t help. Meanwhile, the motivations of FBI Director Ray Madison (Clark Gregg) became clear as he worked to protect the organization and honor Doug Bailey’s wishes. In order for the BAU to find Prentiss, they of course needed Voit’s help once again (not before Rossi made it clear that he was over him) and of course he made it tough on them (but a Garcia death stare was a nice moment for her and Kirsten Vangsness and JJ turning the tables on him was an equally powerful moment for her and A.J. Cook). The cavalry was coming but Pete and Jade were counting on it and were prepared in case of a standoff. However, those looking for one may be a bit disappointed. Dealing with a pair of conspiracy theorists, the FBI’s best weapon was the truth. Indoctrinated by videos sent by Doug to Pete in the hopes of bringing him back home, that were then doctored by Church to reinforce his indoctrination, the answer was to show he and Jade the truth which was the original undoctored videos and a video of Voit confessing to murdering Doug. Faced with the truth, they surrendered as Prentiss advocated for Jade, holding Madison’s actions against him.

As far as everyone was concerned, they all got some kind of happy ending, except for Voit who got attacked in prison by men looking for him. That act had to be directed by someone which could perhaps be a set up for next season. While hit fate remains to be seen, seeing some of the BAU members get their comeuppance on Voit after so much time was satisfying to watch but thankfully, the writers found a way to keep Zach Gilford around. at least for now. Though he may not always be the focus, he is the perfect foil for the BAU and seeing the character be developed even further this season was a highlight. And we were all Prentiss during those scenes.

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.