Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 1 Episode 10 Review: Dead End
If devolution describes the downfall of Sicarius, it also describes Criminal Minds: Evolution‘s storytelling in its season finale. Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 1 Episode 10, “Dead End,” is a mixed-bag conclusion to a strong run of episodes.
The continued use of flashbacks, this time a scene with Rossi and Krystall set in February 2020, makes the episode feel like a part two to Episode 9. It also sets up one of the big arcs of the finale: Rossi’s survival.
From broken man to survivor, Rossi gets to show both vulnerability and strength during his captivity. Even though he eventually gets rescued by the team, watching him fight back against Sicarius and also accept the death of his wife is an emotionally charged conclusion for his season arc.
Many characters showed growth this season but Rossi’s story is the throughline from premiere to finale, hallucinations and all. Unfortunately, instead of ending strong with this arc and the capture of Sicarius, the show opts for something more convoluted.
Late in the game Criminal Minds: Evolution introduces a secret government operation known only as “Gold Star” as a means to complicate Sicarius’ capture. Sicarius’ demonstration of knowledge of this operation and the Department of Justice’s resulting interference in the investigation drives a lot of unnecessary story that bogs down the episode.
Sicarius being the most prolific and dangerous serial killer the team ever faced is what hooked viewers for this season, so the decision to complicate it more with government intrigue is befuddling. Focusing on Sicarius’ unraveling and his turning against his family would be more than enough to craft a satisfying ending,
Watching Sydney’s face when she realizes her husband is willing to shoot her rather than let her go is more powerful than watching government officials huddle in a room conspiring about collateral damage.
Kiele Sanchez’s performance as Sydney coming to terms with the truth about Elias (who is played by Sanchez’s real-life husband Zach Gilford) stands out on the finale. The interrogation room scene where she begs Elias to tell them where Rossi is and prove to her he’s not a monster and their marriage wasn’t just “some elaborate alibi” breaks your heart.
In this uneven episode, there are some great moments. From Prentiss taking charge on the fly when Sicarius wants to negotiate to Garcia choosing what’s right for her even if it breaks our and Tyler’s hearts, there is a lot to cheer for.
It’s just hard to completely shake the frustration of “Gold Star” hanging over what should be the epic conclusion to the Sicarius case. At least Prentiss is smart enough to realize something is going on during their rescue operation though there’s no immediate payoff to that awareness.
Watching the team track down and capture Sicarius is less exciting when it’s obvious the DOJ is just undermining them. Even Bailey’s death at the hands of Sicarius, which should be much sadder given the effort made to make him a sympathetic character, feels like a slap in the face knowing it’s just to service this plot twist to set up a future season.
The true legacy of the Sicarius case can’t be judged until we see how and if Criminal Minds: Evolution uses Sicarius in the future, and his return seems likely based on that mysterious closing scene. Without real closure for the storyline, we’re left wondering what’s next.
For now, the journey is more satisfying than the destination when it comes to the team’s biggest case ever and Criminal Minds: Evolution‘s finale.
Additional Thoughts:
- Did anyone else get some interesting vibes from Garcia and Luke’s conversation after the memorial? Maybe it’s just their friendship evolving or maybe it’s something else.
- Garcia’s earring game is on point. The glassware in her apartment is super cute too. Someone tell me where I can buy all these things!
- I don’t think this is the last we’ve seen of Rebecca. With the dirt she’s hiding for the DOJ I suspect she might get out of being reassigned.
- After all their scares and close calls this season why the heck would JJ and Will both go into the field to take down Sicarius? It seems incredibly risky.
- I’m begging the show to do its flashbacks differently next time. The black-and-white looks too melodramatic.
- More plot for Luke is also high on my wishlist as we wait for the next season.
What did you think of the season finale of Criminal Minds: Evolution? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Criminal Minds: Evolution airs Thursdays on Paramount+.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Breeze Riley
Breeze Riley is a pop culture enthusiast who decided to turn her love of watching too much TV into a hobby writing about it. Although she's a convention-going sci-fi and fantasy nerd, she's just as likely to be watching an off-beat comedy or period drama. She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic.
One thought on “Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 1 Episode 10 Review: Dead End”
1) Why did Will, a Washington, D.C. local police detective go to California (well out of his jurisdiction) with the FBI tactical team? Made no sense.
2) If Elias/Lee emptied his Glock magazine shooting at the FBI tactical team, the slide locks back. He would KNOW he’s out of ammo. He wouldn’t be “surprised” and try to shoot his wife with an empty gun. The slide would still be locked back showing, the empty chamber/empty magazine until he released it (usually while inserting a fresh magazine), and the trigger wouldn’t click until that was done. I know it was for a dramatic moment, but a semi auto is not a revolver where you can lose count and can pull the trigger on an empty gun you were just shooting. You can’t do that with a Glock or any other semi auto.
Comments are closed.