The One Thing Criminal Minds Revival Is Already Doing Better Than the Original
Though Criminal Minds: Evolution brought back almost all the beloved characters of the original show, the dynamic in the group has evolved, and it feels like a positive change.
Despite being a direct continuation of the CBS crime show, Criminal Minds: Evolution has altered several very important details about how the story is being told. That's why Evolution feels like a whole new show instead of just Season 16 of Criminal Minds.
The format of the show has changed which has become a pleasant surprise for some fans and a disappointment for others. Instead of a one-case-per-episode narrative, the revival opted for a season-long plot revolving around a particularly difficult case and particularly sophisticated unsub.
Though there are only 10 episodes in Season 1 of Evolution, which is much fewer compared to any given season of the CBS show, the new format offers more time to dive into the personal lives and issues of each protagonist.
Fans see Emily Prentiss fighting with another mean boss and her loneliness, JJ struggling to find a work-life balance and mend fences with her husband Will, Tara Lewis navigating her new relationship, Penelope returning through tears to become the BAU's secret weapon. But probably the most heartbreaking arc went to David Rossi.
Having lost his wife Krystall, the unit chief starts the revival in a dark place. To forget about his grief, Rossi throws himself into work which apparently only makes things worse for him and the team. Rossi lashes out at his teammates and is the first character in the history of Criminal Minds to use the f-word.
Though all these additional personal details may be disturbing to witness, they make for a complicated and exciting group dynamic. It seems, the friendship between the BAU members has never been this strained and tested.
Instead of showing the lead characters as machines for solving crimes, Evolution focuses on their personal troubles and demons that could hurt the biggest BAU case no less than the absence of Dr. Spencer Reid and Matt Simmons. Besides, the stakes are high. If the BAU doesn't uncover the network of serial killers, its members face job loss. There haven't been any announcements about Season 2 of Evolution, so anything is possible in the finale, but the long-term fans are sure all the hardships will only make the team's bond stronger.