WARNING: This story contains spoilers for the first two episodes of “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” now streaming on Paramount+.
It’s been almost three years since “Criminal Minds” ended, but a lot has changed within the BAU. When the new show begins, Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) is no longer on the unit and living her best life. She’s thrived on her own throughout the pandemic and is enjoying a leaner, less murder-filled existence. Of course, that’s short-lived, as Alvez (Adam Rodriguez) comes knocking on his door during the premiere.
In a snap, if you miss it, she’s referring to the fact that they went on a date — he finally asked her out in the 2020 finale — but it was just “dinner , three years ago” and they actually “thrive as enemies.
Yet this flirtation will continue, confirms Vangsness.
“I find the roller coaster of being satisfied and dissatisfied very satisfying,” she says. “I’ve spent a lot of time with Adam. You can see our evolution from our deep disdain for each other to a deeper disdain. During the pandemic, we’ve grown closer as than people – in the end, we had double dates with our partners!
She adds that this season, which features more Garcia than ever before, it’s obvious the connection between the pair is effortless. “We trust each other so much,” says Vangsness.
However, not everyone at the BAU is in such a positive space. David Rossi (Joe Mantegna) is in a dark place when the show begins, and it’s quickly revealed that his wife, Krystall, died about a year ago.
“I was quite shocked at first when I read it,” admits Mantegna. “I am very amused by this cartoon. It’s a two-frame movie and it’s a caveman looking up and saying, “Oh my God, why are you doing this to me?” and God said, ‘Why not?’ For me, that’s life. You can’t orchestrate what’s happening to you in life and you’ve been knocked down – what are you going to do? Are you gonna lay there or are you gonna get up? So that’s where we find Rossi. He has a decision to make here. Things happen to good people and bad people. There is no accounting for this.
While he says that when the public sees Rossi again, he “let himself go”. “It scared me when I watched that first episode!” said Mantegna laughing.
But he knows that the character will be able to get by. “I bet on Dave. It’s gonna take a bit. It’s part of evolution.
The first two episodes of “Criminal Minds: Evolution” are now streaming on Paramount+.