Criminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3, episode 1 arrived on Paramount+ on May 8th, 2025, anda cast member has shared their thoughts on the surprising and entertaining episode, along with what fans can expect from the season 3 finale.
Criminal Minds: Evolutionis a reboot of the CBS procedural, which premiered in 2005. After season 15 ended in 2019,Criminal Minds: Evolutionseason 1 (also known as season 16) began streaming on Paramount+ in 2022. Season 2 followed in 2024, and since the cliffhanger ending, fans looked forward to seeing what the BAU would be up to next.Each episode focuses onthe BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit)as they tackle a new case and save as many people as possible. After checking out the season 3 premiere, there’s no doubt that the season 3 finale will be one to remember.
Adam Rodriguez Reflected On Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3, Episode 1 (And Teased The Finale)
In an interview withUs Weekly,Adam Rodriguez, who plays Luke Alvez,talked aboutCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3, episode 1, “Swimmer’s Calculus.“He mentioned the main storyline: the unsub who puts his victims in swimming pools. Rodriguez described the unnerving episode and said:
“It’s dark. This is what you get fromCriminal Minds. It’s going to be dark and completely diabolical evil. The best part is we get to be the heroes, put the bad guys away and save some people hopefully.”
While Rodriguez didn’t share any major details for theCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3 finale, he did say thatthe last episode of the season will be surprising and memorable. He said:
“I’ll just say, I think you’ll be distraught [by the way the season ends] until you get the next season. Hopefully, we always leave you there.”
Rodriguez became part of the cast ofCriminal Mindsseason 12as Fugitive Task Force Agent Luke Alvez. Fans have enjoyed watching Alvez’s scenes with Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) as the characters have a relationship that’s hard to figure out. While they have romantic feelings for each other, they also frequently get under each other’s skin.Criminal Mindsdoesn’t feature as many romantic storylines asother procedurals such as9-1-1,and Alvez and Garcia’s dynamic isn’t explored as much asBailey Nune (Jenna Dewan) and John Nolan’s (Nathan FIllion) onThe Rookie. However, the moments between Alvez and Garcia add an important dose of levity.
The season 3 premiere was a strong episode that gave fans what they expect from the series: a gripping and grim case and many compelling moments between the BAU, who work together to find clues and catch killers.The villains on the procedural are called “unsubs,” which means “unknown subject,“and the BAU continues to pursue the main serial killer Elias Voit (Zach Gilford). Besides playing likable and kind Matt Sacaren onFriday Night Lights,Gilford is a familiar face for fans ofMike Flanagan Netflix horror series. The actor played Riley Flynn onMidnight Mass,Mark onThe Midnight Club,and Young Roderick Usher onThe Fall of the House of Usher. Voit is a different character since he’s violent, dangerous, and terrifying.
Criminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3 will have 10 episodes, and before the epic finale that Rodriguez teased, fans can expect to seeMatthew Gray Gubler reprise his popular role of awkward and smart Spencer Reid. Based on the storylines that the season 3 premiere set up,viewers can likely expect a cliffhanger involving Voit, or perhaps someone else who has been working for him.
Criminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3 is now streaming on Thursdays on Paramount+.
