Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 Episode 3 Review: Body Count
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 Episode 3, “Body Count,” pushes the BAU to collaborate once more with Voit in order to solve a four-year-old cold case. But could Voit be using this as an excuse for something else?
It is quite fun to see that both real Rossi and Voit’s hallucination Rossi believe everything he is doing is with the goal of escaping in mind. However, as the episode goes on and we learn more about the case and what Voit is saying or doing, we understand that he has a different kind of escape in mind.
While so far the season has focused on proving that Voit has “redeemed” himself, this redemption comes with a price he is apparently not willing to pay. It seems his remorse can only go so far, and instead of facing the reality of being a serial killer, he wants an out. He uses this recently brought back cold case as the tipping point in his case to get the death penalty and say goodbye forever.
But what would that be the kind of ending the Sicarius Killer deserves? Or would that simply be the easy way out?
Voit’s storyline has, undoubtedly, become repetitive. Viewers know what to expect from him and the kind of mind games he is known for playing, but it seems we have to get used to the idea that he will stick around for as long as Criminal Minds: Evolution runs.
If that is the case, then we might as well focus on the interesting parts of his storyline this season. On the one hand, his conversations with Tara are slowly revealing more things about his past. Even though nothing revealed is innovative, it’s interesting to see how he approaches these conversations compared to how he used to before his attack.
While Tara may still be on the fence about his redemption, she listens to him without judgment, allowing him to express himself fully and truly. When talking to her, Voit shows remorse, claims he is trying to bring closure to the families, and says he doesn’t want to inspire any other killers.
On the other hand, however, his conversations with hallucination Rossi prove the complete opposite. Everything discussed with this vision he has makes us believe that cooperating with the BAU has only been for his own benefit. The Rossi he made up in his mind tells him everything he is doing is about reminiscing for him.
So, which version of Voit are viewers supposed to believe? Who are we to trust, if anyone?
As always, Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 Episode 3, “Body Count,” delivers a case and an unsub that keeps viewers engaged, entertained, and waiting for the big reveal. That is what has always kept the fans tuning back in week after week.
The core of the show is how every storyline is built to deliver a case per episode, bringing it full circle with an answer to every question we may have.
But what also stands out on this episode are the characters and their complexity. First of all, watching Tyler deal with the truth that the dead woman’s sister is the killer is a huge thing. He can’t wrap his mind around this information because his sister was taken from him. The viewer goes through every emotion with him, trying to feel what he feels and understand the dilemmas in his mind.
Contrary to what Voit tells him, the audience knows that Tyler will make a great profiler because of the way he has handled every case since joining the team.
Secondly, Penelope’s consistent presence for her team shines through once more. She immediately opens the doors of her home to JJ and the boys as they deal with flooding in their home. And when she notices everything is not okay, she ropes Luke in to create the perfect indoor camping experience.
This is yet another reminder of the beautiful found family this show has put together in the last two decades. As much as Criminal Minds: Evolution is about the cases and the unsubs, the show wouldn’t be what it is without the incredible bond we’ve seen these characters build throughout the seasons.
What did you think of this episode of Criminal Minds: Evolution? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
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Criminal Minds: Evolution airs Thursdays at 3/2 am on Paramount+.
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Lara Rosales
By day, Lara Rosales (she/her) is a solo mom by choice and a bilingual writer with a BA in Latin-American Literature known as a Media Relations Expert. By night, she is a TV enjoyer who used to host a podcast (Cats, Milfs & Lesbian Things). You can find her work published on Eulalie Magazine, Geek Girl Authority, W Spotlight, Collider, USA Wire, Mentors Collective, Instelite, Noodle, Dear Movies, Nicki Swift, and Flip Screened.