The evolution ‘departs too far from the roots of the program

When the longtime CBS show is restarted as Criminal Minds: Evolution In 2022, we didn’t really know what to expect. Were they going to stick to their original formula which won so many fans or try something new? It turns out that it was the latter. Evolution Shake things by slowly deviating from the structure of the case of the week and by introducing in progress elements, in particular the prolific serial killer and the constant antagonist Elias sees (Zach Gilford). The transition was progressive, but if you had jumped into the show in season 3, you would barely recognize it as Criminal minds.

Although these seasons were fascinating, providing depth in the minds of a serial killer insofar as we have never seen before and impacting our favorite characters in a convincing way, Recent developments by the end of season 3 asked us if Criminal minds take a path for which it may not be adapted. Evolution managed to stay quite original, but he is about to jump in an idea that was made to death. But more importantly, the progression of the arc of see moves away from Criminal minds“Ethos, and it may be time for the show to review its roots.

“ Criminal Minds ” looks at overused tropes with the arc

Throughout season 3, sees it has an amnesia and finds it difficult to reconcile its current morality with its homicide story, but tries to alleviate this feeling by helping the Bau to eliminate its sicarius network of dissolved online. The final is essentially to win the bau’s confidence, while the closing scenes suggest that he can reconnect with his former serial killer instinct. Since Gilford should resume its role in season 4, and via Showrunner Erica Messer Interview with Entertainment Weekly, We know that it will continue to help the Bau with greater capacity. “You will see him in each episode of season 19,” explains Messer. “He is again a prisoner, but in a very different way from that of season 17. He will be a resource for us.”

All this seems exciting in theory, but The show hikes in the well -used territory of “Bad Guy helps the good”. Even in the field of COP procedures, it is a common concept. It is mainly done in The blacklistOr James Spaders Reddington, the head of a criminal empire, helps the FBI, or in White collarOr Matt Bomer Neal Caffrey concludes an agreement with the FBI after being arrested as a crook. Even in The mentalist, We have a former crook working as a consultant for an investigation agency so that he can continue his own vendetta and regularly constitute the law in his favor. They all succeed in its own right, but different flavors of the same premise, that which Criminal minds does not need to recycle.

Actually, Criminal minds has already used this trope in season 11. As intriguing as Gilford sees in the series, it would be against the incomparable ABREY PLAZA Cat Adams, who was a seductive and disturbing serial killer who reluctantly helped the Bau in some cases while creating a tumultuous relationship with Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler). Except that it was a scenario that lasted some episodes in the series, nestled between episodic cases. In the case of see, he would have the impression that the cliché is under construction. As such, Cat Adams was a fun exploration, while sees it would be recycled equipment.

“Criminal Minds: Evolution” must return to its roots

Except that Criminal minds is tilted into an exaggerated dynamic, having sees helping the bau with a sape more constantly the knot of the show. As the title suggests, the point of Criminal minds is to dive into the psychological landscapes of serial killersThat is to say, jump into the minds of criminals. Throughout the seasons, we have faced what makes a serial killer vibrate, how homicidal trends evolve and how they are really only humans who react to a collection of environmental and genetic factors. The idea of looking in this abyss and trying not to let him take over is also what makes Criminal minds so convincing. Cases are more than crime; These are shades of gray, dissecting the past to predict the future and the victims.

While the Switching Side “switch” looks like another shade of gray, This prevents us from diving into his mind and makes him a gimmicky accessory on the arm of the bau. As such, the show must rotate and remember what its original concept was; Otherwise, it will find it difficult to stand out from the richness of cop procedures that have already beat this angle to forget. Losing his episodic touch and his perfection Criminal minds. I do not suggest abandoning completely sees it, but the spectacle must regain the balance between the old and the new.

All episodes of Criminal minds can be broadcast on Paramount + in the United States