After 4 Years, Criminal Minds Finally Justifies Its Biggest Change From CBS’s Original Show

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I’ve been watching Criminal Minds: Evolution, and I’m starting to really understand what makes it different from the original series. The original Criminal Minds was amazing and everyone knew it, but this new version isn’t afraid to shake things up. They’re willing to go further with the language and have added some fantastic new characters. It truly feels like an evolution of the BAU. While I don’t love everything about the focus on online crimes, overall, it’s a fresh and interesting take on a show I already adored.

Technology has always been important to Criminal Minds, especially through the character of Penelope Garcia, the team’s technical analyst. However, the tech of 2005, when the show began, is very different from what’s current in 2026. The newer seasons, called Evolution, have sometimes struggled to keep up with how people use the internet today. Attempts to modernize the show with current slang, like using terms such as ‘incel,’ or details like cheaply-made LED lights, haven’t always felt natural. Thankfully, the start of season 19 offers a welcome and well-done update to the show’s technology.

Criminal Minds Season 19, Episode 2 Confronts The Dangers Of True Crime

A Familiar Face Returns With A Timely Update To The Sicarius Case

As a longtime fan, I’ve been really impressed with how Criminal Minds has updated its approach since coming back in 2022. They started doing this right away with the introduction of Sicarius (Zach Gilford) in season 16, and his whole operation – building a network for killers during the pandemic – kept the BAU busy for seasons. Now, with season 19, episode 2, they’re doing something really smart. Instead of another chase, they’re exploring what happens after you catch a killer like that – how someone like Sicarius could become a sort of celebrity in the true-crime world. It feels very realistic and is a compelling direction for the show.

As Emily Prentiss points out, the character Voit has become as notorious as infamous criminals like Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer within the show’s storyline. This has led to a surge of interest in his case within the online true crime community, with many podcasts dissecting the disturbing details of his crimes. However, one podcast, The Sicarius Files, hosted by Brian Garrity, is particularly problematic. Beyond simply exploiting the tragedy for content, Garrity is spreading harmful and false information, most notably the baseless claim that Voit was a government-trained assassin.

In a surprisingly funny moment, season 19 of Criminal Minds has the villain, Voit, directly address the rumors surrounding him. He does this in an odd interview setting, complete with a bright neon sign and a mention of BetterHelp. Speaking as the killer himself, Voit breaks down the fascination people have with Sicarius, calling himself out as pathetic but then claiming his followers are even worse for consuming content about Garrity’s crimes and fixating on the violence. While clearly influenced by Voit’s own feelings, the scene offers a sharp and welcome bit of social commentary, marking a new direction for the show.

Why Garrity’s Podcast Was The Reboot’s Best Stab At Internet Culture Yet

Criminal Minds Has Finally Found Its Footing As A Truly Modern Crime Drama

Okay, let’s be real, Criminal Minds still stumbles a bit when trying to talk about the internet – it feels a little clunky sometimes. This week’s episode had a fascinating look at a character obsessed with going viral, even if it meant losing his humanity, but then it also gave us a PSA about not engaging with trolls. It felt a bit jarring. However, the true crime podcast storyline? That was a really smart move for the show. It’s the most ambitious way Criminal Minds has used modern technology so far, and honestly, it worked incredibly well. It felt fresh and genuinely added to the suspense.

While ‘Cluster’ might not be one of the very best Criminal Minds episodes, it cleverly uses the reach of the internet and shows how actions have lasting consequences within the show’s storyline. Given how easily true crime stories spread online – with people discussing murders during social media videos – it’s believable that the villain Voit remains well-known even after his organization is taken down. Importantly, the episode highlights how true-crime content creators can actually hinder investigations by chasing popularity instead of facts, which adds a sense of urgency and makes the series feel particularly timely.

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2026-05-30 05:38