Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3, episode 1 arrived on Paramount+ on May 8th, 2025, and a 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: Evolution is a reboot of the CBS procedural, which premiered in 2005. After season 15 ended in 2019, Criminal Minds: Evolution season 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 on the 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.

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By Aya Tsintziras

Adam Rodriguez Reflected On Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3, Episode 1 (And Teased The Finale)

Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez) on Criminal Minds

In an interview with Us Weekly, Adam Rodriguez, who plays Luke Alvez, talked about Criminal Minds: Evolution season 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 from Criminal 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 the Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 finale, he did say that the 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 of Criminal Minds season 12 as 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 Minds doesn't feature as many romantic storylines as other procedurals such as 9-1-1, and Alvez and Garcia's dynamic isn't explored as much as Bailey Nune (Jenna Dewan) and John Nolan's (Nathan FIllion) on The 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 on Friday Night Lights, Gilford is a familiar face for fans of Mike Flanagan Netflix horror series. The actor played Riley Flynn on Midnight Mass, Mark on The Midnight Club, and Young Roderick Usher on The Fall of the House of Usher. Voit is a different character since he's violent, dangerous, and terrifying.

Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 will have 10 episodes, and before the epic finale that Rodriguez teased, fans can expect to see Matthew 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: Evolution season 3 is now streaming on Thursdays on Paramount+.

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Release Date: September 22, 2005
Network: CBS, Paramount+
Showrunner: Erica Messer
Directors: Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Rob Bailey, Matthew Gray Gubler, Joe Mantegna, John Gallagher, Douglas Aarniokoski, Guy Norman Bee, Larry Teng, Nelson McCormick, Alec Smight, Charles S. Carroll, Rob Spera, Charles Haid, Diana Valentine, Rob Hardy, Tawnia McKiernan, Bethany Rooney, Karen Gaviola, Sharat Raju, Thomas Gibson, Aisha Tyler, Anna Foerster, Gloria Muzio, John Terlesky
Writers: Bruce Zimmerman, Virgil Williams, Edward Allen Bernero, Janine Sherman Barrois, Chris Mundy, Simon Mirren, Debra J. Fisher, Kimberly A. Harrison, Jay Beattie, Dan Dworkin, Karen Maser, Oanh Ly, Stephanie Sengupta, Aaron Zelman, Kirsten Vangsness, Erica Meredith, Andi Bushell, Holly Harold, Alicia Kirk, Jeff Davis, Randy Huggins, Edward Napier, Jayne A. Archer, Chikodili Agwuna