‘I Love It For The Fans’: Criminal Minds Star Paget Brewster Talks Prentiss Getting Stoned With JJ And What She ‘Can’t Envision’

'I Love It For The Fans': Criminal Minds Star Paget Brewster Talks Prentiss Getting Stoned With JJ And What She 'Can't Envision'

As a dedicated fan of “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety as we approach the season 2 finale. The penultimate episode left us on the edge of our seats with the explosive cliffhanger of Prentiss and Rossi entering the training center where Jade had been turned into a killer, only to have Jade apparently blow up the building to end her own life and that of anyone inside.


The second season of “Criminal Minds: Evolution” has only one episode left on the 2024 TV calendar, and the previous episode featured a shocking cliffhanger. When Prentiss and Rossi arrived at the training facility where Jade had been transformed into a killer, Jade triggered an explosion that likely took her and anyone else inside to their deaths. Although viewers haven’t witnessed the aftermath yet, Paget Brewster discussed Prentiss’ development with TopMob prior to the Season 2 finale, touching upon her interactions with JJ.

It’s unlikely that the Season 2 premiere will begin with the shocking revelation that Rossi and Prentiss perished in the explosion from the previous episode’s cliffhanger ending. However, we cannot be certain that everyone is safe as the explosion was quite explosive. Regarding Prentiss, despite receiving orders to halt, she chose to disregard them and entered the training center instead.

During my conversation with Paget Brewster, I inquired if Prentiss could have truly stepped aside at the finale of Episode 9 given how significant the stakes were. The actress revealed:

1. In Episode 6, she was considering stepping down, especially when she and JJ were under the influence of marijuana. However, that episode seemed to show Prentiss that she wouldn’t, that she’d fight tooth and nail to keep her position and stay with her team. I find it hard to imagine a scenario where Prentiss simply quits, saying something like, “It’s been rough. We’ve lost. People come and go, and I can no longer handle it, so I’m leaving.”

If Prentiss hadn’t experienced that food-fueled epiphany with JJ during the previous episodes, it would have been challenging for her to remain outside the compound once she believed a young girl, whom she thought was in danger, was inside and the BAU team had a warrant. Brewster further elucidated how Prentiss’ unwavering commitment to her work has led to complications in her personal life.

It’s likely the reason she hasn’t entered into any romantic relationships is because her work and that particular team consume most of her time and energy. We come to understand this more clearly in episodes 8 and 9. Her dedication to her job and her commitment to keeping the team functioning are unwavering. [laughs]

The outcome of Episode 9’s team-shattering incident might hinge on the information given in Episode 10 regarding the explosion aftermath. Fingers crossed no one is irreversibly sidelined, but the unpredictable nature of Criminal Minds: Evolution’s first season finales leaves us guessing.

'I Love It For The Fans': Criminal Minds Star Paget Brewster Talks Prentiss Getting Stoned With JJ And What She 'Can't Envision'

In a surprising twist during Season 2 of Evolution, a few episodes ago, it appeared that Prentiss might be losing her job with the BAU. She contemplated her situation, using some cannabis-laced treats for aid. JJ stumbled upon her in this state, leading to an emotional scene featuring Paget Brewster and A.J. Cook as their characters bonded while under the influence of marijuana edibles. I inquired about Brewster’s experience of getting high with JJ as Prentiss, and she responded:

1. She adores it because it’s for the fans, and it wasn’t just a humorous coincidence. It stems from a deep sense of distress, doesn’t it? Prentiss seems to believe she’ll be let go, so she decides to resign ahead of time. When she needs self-reflection, she relies on… the Cheetos eaten with chopsticks. She turns to edibles for introspection. It may not be the most effective approach, but her reaction is simply, ‘I’m stepping down.’ And as I mention this, you can tell how familiar I am with marijuana at the moment by my laughter [laughs]. But it’s a product of her inner turmoil. She’s trying to delve deeper into herself. Not exactly an ideal method, but her response is still, ‘I’m resigning.’

In a lighter vein, “Criminal Minds: Evolution” might have portrayed Prentiss and JJ sharing a humorous moment by getting stoned together. The scene held an element of amusement. However, the show did not trivialize Prentiss’ struggles. This significant exchange took place between these two females, following JJ’s discovery earlier in the season that Prentiss had concealed BAUgate from her, and after enduring Voit’s presence. Brewster further emphasized the significance of JJ’s words to Prentiss during this moment.

1. In response to JJ, who was high at the time, she said, “You can’t carry out that action since we both depend on each other here.” She also forgave Prentiss for hiding BAUgate from her, despite knowing about it. She didn’t use the secret against Prentiss and handled it independently. Being mature and capable, Prentiss took care of herself. This experience, in my opinion, showed Prentiss that she belongs on that team – it’s a natural fit for her. I believe this stoned adventure helped Prentiss come to terms with the fact that she needs to be part of that squad, as it’s deeply ingrained within her.

Luckily, there was no major fallout between the two women regarding Prentiss hiding BAUgate from JJ, even though JJ was deeply affected by the revelation. After their shared experience with edibles in the afternoon, Paget Brewster’s character appeared more rational and composed, including when she contacted Jill Gidean against Rossi’s wishes.

As a longtime fan of “Criminal Minds,” I’m always eager to discover what lies ahead for Emily Prentiss before the season finale of “Criminal Minds: Evolution.” Having followed her character development over fifteen seasons on CBS, I’m excited to see how she evolves in the new Paramount+ series. The suspense is killing me!

Read More

2024-07-30 06:07