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

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.








