Members of the cast on the show “Criminal Minds” have accumulated much experience in crime procedurals, and several cast members consider a particular season to be the absolute best that the long-running series produced. Originally airing as a crime procedural on CBS, “Criminal Minds” revolves around the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit and their application of psychology to understand the behavior of potential suspects involved in federal crimes. After 15 seasons on CBS, the show was canceled, but it has been revived for additional seasons on Paramount+ under the title “Criminal Minds: Evolution.
In “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” many principal characters from the last broadcast seasons return, bringing back the familiar faces of this popular series. Although it retains its traditional procedural format, the reduced episode count allows for a more compact, engaging story arc in the streaming version. This season is widely regarded by the cast as one of the finest that “Criminal Minds” has ever produced. Aisha Tyler, for instance, praised it as not only exceptional but also an incredibly “exciting” and top-notch television experience when discussing it on Paramount+ (via YouTube).
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 17’s Gold Star Origin Twist Was One Of The Series’ Best
Criminal Minds Season 17 Is Seen As The Best By The Cast
In the world of network television, it’s often challenging for procedural shows to keep viewers engaged past their tenth season, as they may start feeling repetitive. These types of shows usually follow a consistent format, making it easy for newcomers to jump in without getting lost in character histories. However, maintaining an audience for long-running procedurals like “Criminal Minds” can be tough when viewers anticipate the episode structure. One reason why “Criminal Minds: Evolution” has been successful is its innovative approach to storytelling, particularly with its serialized narrative.
In the second season of Criminal Minds: Evolution, or its seventeenth series installment, an exceptional blend of procedural and serialized storytelling is presented. While the team consistently follows leads on various criminal cases, these often divide their attention across two distinct investigations in some episodes. However, the central plotline for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 17 revolves around unraveling the mystery of Gold Star. At first, both the viewers and the characters were unsure if Gold Star represented a person, a system, or merely a designation on a file.
In a surprising turn of events, despite having only 10 episodes at its disposal, “Criminal Minds” skillfully unfolded the intricate plotline of Gold Star, revealing it as a sinister BAU study designed to transform troubled kids into serial killers. The show cleverly employed this twist to explore the spread of conspiracy theories and hint at the truth hidden within whispered rumors. Initially, Emily Prentiss (played by Paget Brewster) dismissed aspects of Gold Star’s history as implausible, but her encounter with the facts proved otherwise.
The show maintained a high level of tension for both viewers and investigators alike as they worked to solve the mystery. As Adam Rodriguez notes, thanks to Paramount+, the series has advanced to a higher level of complexity, ensuring that viewers will carry the pieces from the first episode through to the finale, following every intricate turn in the storyline.
| Criminal Minds Star | Role Played |
|---|---|
| Paget Brewster | Emily Prentiss |
| AJ Cook | Jennifer “JJ” Jareau |
| Joe Mantegna | David Rossi |
| Kirsten Vangsness | Penelope Garcia |
| Aisha Tyler | Tara Lewis |
| Adam Rodriguez | Luke Alvez |
| Zach Gilford | Elias Voit |
| Ryan-James Hatanaka | Tyler Green |
Character Moments Throughout Criminal Minds Season 17 Also Made It An Incredibly Strong Season
A Concentrated Season Meant More Character Study
In series like “Criminal Minds”, it’s common for the writers to highlight one character more than others. However, “Criminal Minds: Evolution” ensures that each team member receives equal attention. Notably, even minor moments involving characters throughout the season underscore the fact that this team is not merely a group but a family. The actors are delivering some of their finest performances to date.
In an interview with PopCulture.com, AJ Cook shared her enthusiasm, stating, “We’re doing some of our best work in season 17.” Her character, JJ, encounters some very challenging situations during the season. The BAU team becomes a target on a website called BAU gate, which uses deepfake videos to create embarrassing scenarios for its members. In this season, JJ’s storyline revolves around her dealing with the repercussions of having her image spread online and contemplating how her sons or their friends might react to it.
One method for rephrasing the given sentence is: The plotline of “Criminal Minds: Evolution” has adapted to the evolving landscape of criminal behavior due to technological advancements, which is one of its less-acknowledged strengths in season 2. Alves discovers about this platform, while Prentiss withholds it from the team. The BAU gate offers a distinctive angle for the three main actors to portray throughout the series and emphasizes that not all threats encountered by the characters are violent. In an unexpected twist, JJ’s privacy is violated in a manner that would have been unimaginable when the show initially aired 20 years ago.
During the same time, Garcia faces complex situations in her connections with Alves and Tyler Green, while Rossi experiences hallucinations of Voit. Tara grapples with the consequences of prioritizing her career over her romantic life. Each of these intricate relationships contributes to shaping the dynamics within the team, offering the actors engaging dramatic and comedic elements. These interactions ultimately enhance their performance on the job, making them more effective in solving cases together.
The Criminal Minds: Evolution Revival Has Reinvigorated The Once-Canceled Show
The Darkness Provided By Streaming Gives The Show A New Light
Fans of Criminal Minds: Evolution eagerly welcomed the continuation of their favorite series, as they were unwilling to see the original come to an end. The show has also attracted a new audience curious about how the procedural format would adapt for streaming. Alongside its exceptional character development and plot twists, this revival has ventured into darker territories than it could on traditional network television, enhancing its appeal.
In its exploration of the sinister aspects of human nature, Criminal Minds has consistently intrigued viewers. However, the revival takes this concept to a new level by featuring a serial killer as a central character. The BAU team is no longer just pursuing him, but also tracking down anyone he influenced and delving into the tangled web of secrets he concealed. This intricate network of darkness makes Criminal Minds: Evolution season 17 an incredibly captivating watch, as the serialized narrative gives the show a depth and complexity it didn’t have previously.
According to Joe Mantegna during his interview with PopCulture.com, the cast aspires to maintain the series at its current high standard, stating that they’ve not only set the table but have gone beyond it for season 17. Indeed, Aisha Tyler and the rest of the cast were spot on in their assessment of the show, as Criminal Minds: Evolution season 17 represents the finest Criminal Minds has ever produced.
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2025-05-15 02:21