‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ 17×03 Review: “Homesick”

Garcia might have some “ambivalent news” in the form of an unrelated case in Criminal Minds: Evolution 17×03, but we’re not at all conflicted about our reaction to the episode as a whole. Although no one goes head to head with Elias Voit in this hour, the fallout from everything that brought us to this point is more than powerful enough all on its own. And that power lies not only in the cast’s incredible work but in storytelling that…Well, how do we put this? Let’s just say we finally understand the response Adam Rodriguez gave us when we asked for some scoop on what Voit whispered to Alvez, his reaction to us asking the question in the first place, and — yes — Kirsten Vangsness’ detailed hose metaphor from that same conversation.

Learning about the big secret and how Alvez, Jareau, and Prentiss all dealt with it would be enough to make “Homesick” a great episode. But, somehow, there’s even more going on here. So, let’s break down a few key parts, provide some random chit-chat about those and others, and look forward to seeing how we work our way out of that ending. Which. Hi, hello. We are concerned, actually!

“Never underestimate the strength of mother.”

Even though Criminal Minds: Evolution 17×03 doesn’t keep us on the edge of our seats as one or more BAU Agents does battle with Elias Voit, Alvez and Jareau do spend quite a lot of time with the other Voits. And the visit totally wrecks us. Not only do we get to experience how badly it affects JJ and Luke to have to ask Sydney for help, but the hour also does a phenomenal job of showing what it’s like for the family left behind. They aren’t coping well with their entire world turning out to be a lie, and we can’t blame them. Unlike the victims in the “Moving Day Murders” case, Sydney, Holly, and Harlow aren’t in a new place because of an exciting, new start. And no, they’re not actually a serial killer’s victims in the most traditional sense…but they are, in fact, Elias’ victims.

When we first see Holly, it looks like she’s merely a typical angry teenager — just with that understandably a bit heightened because of what this awful situation. But then, Luke actually sees her in a way her mom currently can’t since she’s also struggling. So, he tries to help, tries to cautiously start a conversation by simply asking whether or not Holly’s been “angry the whole time.” And Sydney…blows up.

“Our lives are shattered. They can’t reach out to their friends, they have no support, they lost their dad. The only one they have left is me. And, newsflash: I’m not doing so great either. I can’t even. Be a mom. To them. Because they trust nothing and no one.”

As Sydney finally gets to vent, to take it out on someone responsible for…everything, the dialogue throughout is fantastic. Also of note, Kiele Sanchez really delivers as a mom who well and truly can not take one more thing and (incorrectly) believes Alvez is just complaining about her teen’s attitude. And the reactions off both BAU Agents show not only that they think they’ve lost their shot…but they really, very much, are just worried about this family. Oh. And that pained expression from JJ is giving “would literally rather be anywhere else but here.”

But it’s not all emotional pain. After the heartbreaking scene where Sydney discovers that Holly’s been hurting herself, she makes the decision to take some of her power back. She comes to the BAU, shares how difficult things have been, and says she’ll go ahead and give Elias what he wants. But she’s only cooperating if it’s on her terms. She wants that witness protection they were promised immediately — no more waiting around on government crap — and she wants Elias first. Alone. JJ admits that might be difficult. But, well.

“Not my problem. If he wants to see my girls, I’m going to establish some ground rules. And if he’s still their father, then he’s going to agree to them.”

Can not wait to see how this plays out.

What secret did Voit tell Alvez?

Looking back, we suppose we shouldn’t have expected Voit’s big manipulation tactic to work itself out easily. In fact, we had plenty of warnings that this particular plot point was going to take us on a journey. Yet, somehow, we still managed to completely fail at heeding those warnings — most likely because the BAU Gate site’s existence, Emily already knowing about it but keeping it from everyone, and JJ already knowing about it were all shocking enough. Like, just one of those things is a big deal. But put all three together? That is. A lot.

But, of course, Criminal Minds: Evolution 17×03 dropped the absolutely gutting extra twist on us toward the end: BAU Gate isn’t just some anime — we were so ready to make a joke about the BAU discovering fan art! — it’s realistic these days. And no, it’s not deep fake pornography of the whole BAU. The current version of the site is all JJ, all the time. Even so, we still have to applaud JJ’s initial reaction to hearing Voit’s big secret. As in, we have no choice but to stan her basically being like “IDGAF. Don’t let him win.” Because, really, that’s the only way to respond to pretty much anything Elias Voit says. Like Emily tells Rebecca at the beginning of the hour, “he’s a killer, liar, and manipulator. In that order.” So no, we shouldn’t play his games.

Not to mention, the way A.J. Cook plays that particular quality of being completely over — and above — it when JJ and Luke are in the car is, quite simply, to die for. But, with all that being said, Cook’s performance is at its best closer to the end of Criminal Minds: Evolution 17×03. We’re obviously talking about the true big reveal and what JJ decides to do about it. When Luke decides to “disobey some orders,” and JJ processes what she’s hearing, it’s like Cook just…freezes at first. Then, it’s almost as if she’s just…slowly progressing into this feeling of horror. Horror, and terror, and grief…and a complete loss of words. We also ~~can’t bear to watch~~ love the way she wraps her arms around herself for comfort and protection.

And the way you can clock the exact moment when JJ sees things after sitting down at that computer, paired with the way the camera pulls away and shows her just…there…alone…ouch.

So, now, we have some questions on this one: Did Emily know that part? And if so, is that the real reason she was passionate about not telling anyone, especially JJ? Or does she also think BAU Gate is the less serious violation it was in 2014? While we’re at it, if Emily did know…what is that going to do to her relationship with JJ? ~~Someone go murder Elias Voit in his cell already for making us worry about that.~~

Speaking of Emily Prentiss…

Maybe instead of “Homesick,” they should’ve called Criminal Minds: Evolution 17×03 something like “Everything You Think Is Nothing Is A Threat Actually.” First, there was what we discussed above with JJ…and then…~~that MF~~ Brian Garrity. Again, just like we initially had some “LOL Voit told them about Tumblr and AO3” quick takes on BAU Gate, our first reactions to all the Emily and Brian stuff was essentially, “Paget Brewster, comedy queen.” Because, really. Brewster plays every single one of Emily’s reactions to Brian and his conspiracy crap so, so, so well. And even when she’s playing Boss!Prentiss, or pleading with Brian to see that he’s hurting people with his lies, that timing she has can only come from doing so much comedic work.

But then…um…ok. First of all, totally rude to call someone away from her wholesome dinner of wine and Chinese takeout at the office. And, obviously more importantly, there’s the not-at-all insignificant mater of the obvious trap Brian sets for Emily. We have so many questions about that! Like, “OMG WHY” and “WTAF.” Or, perhaps you’d prefer “WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO EMILY,” coupled with an actual demand “WE ARE NOT DOING THIS LOSING EMILY PRENTISS THING AGAIN.” (Yes. All caps in the notes, people. Keep up.)Going to have Prentiss saying “f*ckin Brian” on a loop in our heads for a while.

What a cliffhanger to end on, though. Just another “wow, did not see that coming” moment — even after knowing someone was taking photos of Emily as she was leaving their first meeting. It should not be this easy for a single episode of this series to be able to surprise us more than once, especially so many years into following these characters and what they do. And yet, here we are. Well done.