Summary
Criminal Minds: Evolutionwill pay off season 1’s Gold Star mystery in a manner that its followers will no doubt appreciate. Most, if not all,Criminal Minds: Evolutionfans have been beholding the BAU’s titular group of elite criminal profilers since the start of the 15-season-long-flagship series,Criminal Minds, which ended in 2020 to the dismay of many. Fortunately for old and new franchise fans alike, the former BAU team, includingCriminal Mindsfavorites David Rossi (Joe Mantegna), Penelope Garcia (Kristen Vangness), and Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), assembled again for theimprovedCriminal Minds: Evolutionreboot.
For franchise newcomers,Criminal Minds: Evolutionplayed out as a gripping premiere season fixed on the BAU investigating and taking down the criminal mastermind, Elias Voit. WhileEvolutionseason 1 was fantastic, old fans quickly realized thatthe reboot broke away from the case-of-the-week procedural format to incorporate much longer plot lines and overarching mysteries, such asthe secret of Gold Star. Theformat change seems to be for the better, asEvolution’sdrawn-out investigation illuminates the BAU’s bond together. Still, it also forms a colossal and unfamiliar story suspension thatEvolutionseason 2must rectify for longtime fans.
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Images Reveal Elias In Jail & The BAU’s Gold Star Investigation
The first images from Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 reveal the return of the BAU, teasing their investigation into Gold Star & Elias behind bars.
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Will Answer Its Gold Star Mystery Sooner Rather Than Later
Showrunner Erica Messer Ensures Gold Star Will Be Addressed Early
The phrase “Gold Star” reared its head near the end ofEvolutionseason 1. For most of the season, Voit (Zach Gilford) not only maintained his prolific serial killer streak but built an online network of criminals, whom he encouraged and enabled to carry out various offenses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Voit’s criminal career was heinous, yet he managed to barter for leniency with the government by mentioning the mysterious Gold Star. The meaning of Gold Star is still very elusive, butEvolutionshowrunner Erica Messer has ensured Gold Star will be unpacked sooner in the series rather than later.
According tothe showrunner’s latestEvolutionseason 2 tease, viewers will glean"a lot in the premiere"despite there being"layers to this Gold Star story,“and"by episode 5, [they’ll have] learned even more.“Asseason 2 will consist of 10 episodes, viewers won’t have to wait long for Gold Star answers, andthe given information will likely set up a thoroughly exciting second half to the new season. Overall, the Gold Star mystery has been a respectable plot-building angle and a better constructor of suspense - but had it played out any longer, it could’ve become a reboot downfall.
Criminal Minds: Evolutionseason 2 debuts June 6 on Paramount+ with two episodes.
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Can’t Afford To Drag Out Its Gold Star Mystery
Criminal Minds Fans Are Used To Cases Being Closed With A Satisfying Swiftness
Drawing out the Gold Star mystery for longer than the duration ofEvolutionseason 2 could have become irritating for fanswho’ve become used to the BAU cracking their cases in the span of an episode or, at most, several episodes. The mystery of Gold Star has already been stretched between seasons, now a year and counting, and has elongated the investigation of Voit by an indeterminable amount of time. IfEvolutionwaited to reveal the Gold Star mystery until the season 2 finale or later, it could have tested the patience of establishedCriminal Mindsfans.
Luckily, it seemsCriminal Minds: Evolutionis balancing the expeditious characteristics of its old procedural formula with the inventiveness of its new format.
That is not to say thatEvolution’snew format of lengthy plot lines and overarching mysteries isn’t great, but extending any story thread for too long would be wearying for anybody, including newCriminal Mindsviewers. DespiteEvolution’sseason 3 renewal,there’s no telling when the next season will premiere, meaning that without the show’s assurances to solve it, the Gold Star mystery could have trailed on for too longinside the franchise’s new storytelling format. Luckily, it seemsCriminal Minds: Evolutionis balancing the expeditious characteristics of its old procedural formula with the inventiveness of its new format.
Criminal Minds: Evolution
Cast
InCriminal Minds: Evolution, the FBI’s elite team of criminal profilers come up against their greatest threat yet, an UnSub who has used the pandemic to build a network of other serial killers. As the world opens back up and the network goes operational, the team must hunt them down, one murder at a time. Original cast members continuing their roles include Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster. Zach Gilford joins the dynamic cast as a recurring guest star in a season-long arc.
