“The Furies” marks season 19 episode 7 of the recent release from Criminal Minds: Evolution. Fresh off Penelope’s (Kirsten Vangsness) shocking confession from the previous episode. In case you missed it, Penelope, out of guilt, reveals she provided character testimony for Elias Voit (Zach Gilford). Her grand hope? To hopefully save him from capital punishment. Reeling from Rossi’s reaction as one of Voit’s victims, the tension amongst the team is palpable. In concert, the case itself brings us back to the original series. Finally, the entire BAU team heads to New Mexico to help solve the targeted murders of the county deputies when our profilers begin to suspect that the chief is not telling the whole truth.
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REVIEW: Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 7
Without dealing with spoilers, the overall wrap of the tensions between Penelope and David has fallen victim to the same reported issue of Criminal Minds. The importance of pacing in a 10-episode season with only 50 minutes per episode is paramount (no pun intended). In previous seasons, fans have noticed that the most interesting character dynamics or centered plotlines received a maximum of two dedicated episodes. This remains true, unless related to Voit. As an example, before dropping the arc, Tara Lewis’ (Aisha Tyler) attack in season 18 results in a coma as a bookend moment of one episode and the center of the following release. Unfortunately, the staggering pace of the storylines has provided a less-than-smooth flow between weekly releases. Reportedly, even worse when rewatched as a completed season.
Small critiques aside, Criminal Minds gracefully depicts the ability to foreshadow within the episode. These telltale hints that help the audience form the big picture in a way that feels contradictory compared to how the episodes pace so poorly. Throughout the episode, the simple gestures of misogyny that plays into the grand reveal of the unsub(s)’ motive were exceptionally placed. As early on as the introductions between the BAU and the New Mexico police, highlighting the reality of being a woman in male-dominated fields, it is evident with Prentiss (Paget Brewster). Overall, there is a polarizing dynamic of successful pacing. Throughout the course of a season, Criminal Minds lacks rhythm. On the contrary, within an episode, the construction of a case and the nuances of character interactions are beyond fluid.
Who’s Afraid of Little Old V(oit)?
Finally, as the BAU takes on the murders in New Mexico, our attention remains divided with Elias Voit and a curious new visitor. While the Criminal Minds: Evolution paradigm has continuously thrown Voit in with our case of the week, his cut scenes here feel like an afterthought. All for the sake of continuity rather than a carefully intertwined B plot. Despite the aforementioned sentiment, Elias’ presence is not without purpose. When last seen, Voit, in a sense, has been grounded by the profilers for his attempt at contacting The Fan. In true parental fashion, he is currently restricted to approved visitors only. However, his conversation with a victim’s distant cousin may provide a healthy transition as Evolution closes in on its finale.
