Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 10 Review: ‘The Disciple’

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 10 closes out this season with compelling storytelling and outstanding performances, especially from Jordana Spiro and Zach Gilford. During the tense race to find Elias Voit and Dr. Ochoa after the previous hour ended in disaster, the episode bounces back and forth between The Disciple’s backstory and the current timeline in a way that, somehow, strengthens both parts. Basically, as far as season finales go, this one’s a hard hitter. It’s downright difficult to watch at times, as well as totally disturbing and anxiety-inducing. Breathing, much less unclenching one’s jaw, was never an option.

Although we know quite a lot about Voit’s origins, and even the abuse the Gold Star subjects had to endure to become killers, there’s something absolutely chilling — heartbreaking, even — about watching Cyrus Lebrun break a young graduate student down until she becomes the lethal mastermind behind the latest string of network killings. It’s interesting (if soul-destroying) drama, performed stunningly well. As we expect from Criminal Minds. (Evolution or otherwise.) All of this is to say that, as both just any old episode and a season finale, ‘The Disciple’ works. Works very well, in fact.

Can confirm: If the goal was to have at least one viewer be like “ok, so that F—ed me up,” then um. Mission accomplished.

If I may be a giant nerd for a moment, here, Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 10 is also an incredibly effective “concluding chapter of a trilogy.” But don’t take my word for it. To quote Randy Meeks’ message from beyond the grave in Scream 3: “Because true trilogies are about going back to the beginning and discovering something that wasn’t true from the get-go.” Based on the way this hour flips the night Voit killed his uncle on its head here, and really everything we learn about Cyrus’ “daughter,” yeah. This episode qualifies.

MORE: Should’ve never doubted Penelope when she told Luke about that “ember” she saw in Voit in the Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 premiere.

Who is Voit’s Disciple in Criminal Minds: Evolution

Jordana Spiro delivers an amazing performance in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 10. Arguably, I’d say Tessa will be up there with some of the most memorable, most disturbing UnSubs we’ve had yet — and that’s almost entirely down to Spiro’s performance here. Without it, she might merely be another rehash of Voit and/or, to some extent, even another Jade Waters type of character. Any old “very bad” UnSub, even. I’m glad, if entirely unsettled after watching, to have had this instead.

When we first meet Tessa, she’s so incredibly full of life. She’s brilliant and doesn’t put up with anyone’s B.S., to the point where she openly brags about stealing her garbage excuse for an advisor’s car after he tried to take advantage of her. And she’s living her best life, throwing back those drinks, all “F no!” when Cyrus asks if she’s ok to drive.

But, immediately after that introduction, we see what Cyrus turned her into. During that first reveal of Tessa as The Disciple, when the black smudge in Voit’s vision slowly morphs into an actual human (what’s left of one, anyway), Spiro’s posture tells a story. It simultaneously depicts a person who is totally in charge, terrifying…and utterly broken. Her expression, in nearly every modern-day scene in this episode, is one of an almost feverish need to convince and impress Sicarius…and one with no soul, no remorse, no feeling. Every mirthless smile tells a slightly different tale. And yet, they’re all part of the same, damning picture.

Even the voice Spiro uses as The Disciple is that thin, whispery level you’d expect from a horror villain. It’s yet another horrible, jarring contrast to the Tessa in the opening scene — and an effective one at that. This girl was violated and abused until she learned not to have a voice. So, even now, when she’s in this major position of power, she simply doesn’t have one. Because she can’t. That detail makes her declaration to Voit — “you mean everything to me” — that much creepier, somehow. But the tragedy of the statement doesn’t hit until far later in the hour, when we learn that she was underneath those floorboards, the light barely peeking through the beams, when Voit unknowingly released her by killing Cyrus.

As we watch the events of Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 10 unfold, as we go on Tessa’s nightmare of a journey through the past with her, we watch the character decline in measures. Bit by bit, she breaks. Every visit to the past is more devastating than the last, with Spiro’s portrayal of a young woman who loses everything — from her will to fight, to her agency, to her sense of hope, to her very soul — never once letting up. And when we see her in the present day, casually cruel to Dr. Ochoa, no joy behind those smiles of hers — until she’s as close to pleased as someone like her can get after Voit finally unleashes his inner killer on John Perry, that is — there’s truly the sense that any inner light the character once had has been fully extinguished.

It may just be that I’ve (grudgingly) come to love the guy so much, especially this season, but even the version of Sicarius who infamously nearly killed Agent Rossi seems like a puppy in comparison to The Disciple. In fact, when Voit returns to kill Cyrus, all that passion in Zach Gilford’s performance is clear proof of the vital difference between the characters. Because Spiro, on the other hand, only allows Tessa to tap into the tiniest shred of genuine emotion when The Disciple thinks she’s finally got her Sicarius. Well. That and right as the BAU has her cornered.

Certainly, the lighting choices — Tessa as that smudge of darkness, all while Elias has a certain glow around him — and the way the story presents those phases of Tessa’s unraveling in parallel with the end result are impactful in their own right. But without Spiro’s dedication to building (and breaking) the character, to digging into the deepest, darkest void and then going one step further, what would’ve been a good season finale would not have been this good. Put another way, The Disciple needed to be larger than life, capable of matching Voit. Notorious in her own right. She is. Easily.

MORE: In one of the later flashbacks, Tessa recites lines from The Tempest. You should recognize part of it from the message she sent Voit in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 6.

“Voit’s inner demons might now be angels”

On the Voit side of things, Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 10 makes a hero out of the guy who, for two straight seasons, was the villain. Held hostage, presented with the ramblings of his network’s latest leader who clearly views him as some type of god, Elias is in a terrible position. (To say the least.) And, while in that position, he has to attempt to make sense of everything, figure out a way to beat The Disciple at her own game, and grapple with his own legacy all at once. Given so much to work with, Zach Gilford is as good as, if not better than, ever. And that’s saying a lot, considering how remarkable his work with this character has been.

Much like with Spiro’s work in this finale, the only way to catch all the highlights would be to write a novel-length dissertation-slash-recap, picking apart every single expression, movement, and line delivery in every single scene. I know I like to get long-winded and all, but even I have my limits. So, the short (but still long) version: Some of my favorite work from Gilford comes when Voit’s trying to project strength but is, deep down, afraid. As Tessa casually leans back, taunting him about Sydney being “lost forever to the witness protection program,” Elias tries to emphasize that “she’s safe.” But Gilford’s eyes and that tiny swallow both speak of the character’s true concern for his loved ones. It’s oh, so subtle. And oh, so good.

In the same scene, a fantastic moment for both Gilford and Spiro comes when Tessa reveals the full extent of her torture without actually having to describe it. All it takes is “Cyrus didn’t have a physical type. But he sure did like his lost girls, didn’t he?” That bitter mockery of a smile, along with the way she cocks her head, shows she’s nudging Sicarius to see the truth and affirming it all at once. And Gilford lets us know that Voit does see the truth. He goes to far as to look like he may even be sick before that whispered, yet powerful, “Jesus Christ.” Because Voit knows — all too well.

Another great moment for Gilford in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 10 comes when Voit unleashes every bit of brutality the character ever had in him to beat John Perry to a bloody pulp. Importantly, he does it to save Dr. Ochoa. As Agent Rossi tells JJ, the doctor is one of the “handful of people who have shown Voit any grace.” And that matters. In the end, it matters so very, very much. She’s been kind to him, and he knows she’s innocent. (Side note: that passion when Elias tries to get through to Tessa about how their victims were innocent is one of many superb deliveries from Gilford, opposite that brainwashed, heartless dynamic from Spiro.) So, his newfound conscience won’t let him kill her to save himself — but he’ll do what he has to do to save her.

As for the aftermath of that killing…wow. I don’t even know what else I can say about Gilford here. But wow. There’s so much of a sense of “what have I done,” of regret. But also…that sense of freedom and awe when Voit declares he feels “like a F—ing god,” along with how casually he slips back into the Sicarius character, makes it completely believable that we have, in fact, lost the new and improved Elias. Interesting enough, that deranged grin of his also earns the first, maybe only, genuine-ish smile from The Disciple.

That all makes the scene where Voit appears to shoot Dr. Ochoa, point blank, such an effective shocker. Actually, it works extremely well as fabulous twist among a few in this finale. In the end, it turns out that he was just playing Tessa — Elias Voit, one step ahead, as always. But, up until Voit reveals his true nature, it’s entirely believable that the serial killer is alive and well in him. I really can’t get over how well the episode, and Gilford’s performance, makes it both believable and leaves that tiniest shred of hope — that “no, no. Please don’t let it be true” — that Tessa’s really been successful at reviving the killer inside.

MORE: This cast is just too good overall. The finale may be Gilford’s chance to shine, but Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 3 was all about what A.J. Cook can do. And ‘Tara’ was all about letting Aisha Tyler shine.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 ending explained

As we begin to wrap up, let’s just take a moment to point out that Aimee Garcia was superb in this season finale in her own right. Talk about selling that fear and that sense of “I’m going to die today, but I don’t want to” when Dr. Ochoa is strung up as Tessa’s toy. Same goes for when she’s about to be force fed the Sicarius spiders, or trying to stay calm for Elias’ benefit after he’s killed Perry. I absolutely loved how desperate Garcia made the doctor when Agent Rossi showed up. She had to make sure he knew, and believed, that Voit saved her. (As if “Dad” would’ve doubted it at this point.)

But it’s that last scene Garcia shares with Gilford in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 10 that had me just absolutely wrecked. There’s such a quiet sincerity to the way Dr. Ochoa says her goodbyes to her patient. And, for as much as she clings to her own faith, it almost feels like the doctor knows she’ll never convince the deflated, defeated, regretful man in front of her to believe in himself. So, even though she knows it’s futile, she reminds him he doesn’t need to apologize to her — because he saved her. There’s something so touching when she covers his hands with her own, after trying to remind him he “chose the good.” And as she tells him “don’t lose faith,” and he responds with that gutting “I don’t have any to lose” and sad little expression, it all really feels like the end.

After she leaves, there’s the emotional final (?) confrontation between Agent Rossi and the man who almost killed him. We’ve come a long way since Voit first called Dave “Dad” in ‘The Zookeeper.’ At the time, I couldn’t decide if it was to rile him up on purpose or just a broken mind, trying to give itself some wish fulfillment. But, well, Dave really is the father figure now. He doesn’t give up on Voit in this finale, not even at the very, bitter end. But Rossi honors the kid’s wishes and takes his confession when he sees that he, too, can’t convince Elias he’s better now. Forget about telling him he also deserves justice.

Joe Mantegna and Zach Gilford have always, always been remarkable together. This finale is no different. Except for the fact that, well, everything is different. David Rossi tries to mess with Voit a little bit there to get him to cheer up, get out of his own head, mocks that “like a F—ing god” thing to do it. It’s not about the two trying to out smart-aleck each other, or about revenge, or about a sadist enjoying toying with the guy who’s trying to put him down. That was the past. Now, it’s just two people who, because of their history, have nowhere to go but one direction. And it’s completely joyless. Rossi finally gets what he’s wanted for a while — a confession from Voit. But at what cost.

That broken, little “I can’t” from Voit after Rossi asks, “you really don’t trust yourself” is absolutely everything. Because it, much like everything about how Gilford plays Voit’s inability to make eye contact or fully swallow down his emotions, and Mantegna just shows so much care for the person across the table from him, is absolutely crushing.

Of course (spoiler alert), that wasn’t actually the end of Criminal Minds: Evolution Seson 18 Episode 10. And it’s pretty obvious that there are still some interesting things that could be done with the Voit character. Case in point: This hour most certainly answers some of this season’s biggest questions. Maybe, just maybe, it finally puts an end to the Sicarius network. And that is because Voit (again) did the right thing by leaking everyone’s location to Penelope. Sure, we know who The Disciple is; and, yes, we know whether or not Voit actually did change. That’s a resounding yes there. After a season with some of us doubting the evidence right in front of our faces (I am “some of us”), this season finale took viewers on a journey that proved, once and for all, that those scans weren’t fake. Voit really, well and truly, was a new man.

But not so fast — it’s possible that the very thing he has to do to keep Dr. Ochoa safe…could be his future undoing. As Voit himself put it in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 7, his “addiction is death,” so getting that taste by killing John Perry could’ve put him back in active addiction. Because of this, I’m going to say it: There’s plenty more Voit story to explore. If he would’ve automatically become the full-fledged Sicarius all over again, or if the season had ended with some sort of shiny, happy “Voit’s all better! The end!!!” that would’ve been extremely disappointing. And I would’ve wanted to never see this character or even hear his name, ever again.

But that’s not what happens here. The thought of seeing Elias struggling, now that his inner demons have been awakened, is an intriguing one. How the BAU would become involved, I’ve no idea…but, luckily, that’s not my job to figure out. So, I know some viewers were sick of him even before this season and all, but much like when Season 17 ended, I “will not exactly be mad about more of Gilford in this role, should it happen.” In fact, I very much hope to see him again.

MORE: Aimee Garcia has been great all season, and Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 5 was one of the most interesting episodes for Dr. Ochoa.

More on Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 10

• “I don’t mean to be rude, but you’ll have better luck with the lottery.” If only.
• “Well. You know what they say: Hell? It’s other people.” Especially when those other people are Cyrus Lebrun.
• Props to Silas Weir Mitchell for being so terrifying in this role, even (and maybe especially) when Cyrus puts on this “aw, shucks” act here at the beginning.
• “I know that look: Can’t believe this chick is hella good with numbers.” Literally me, except I’m more good with variables. Eh, close enough. Most folks don’t know the difference, anyway.
• “No, I’m fine. Coffee’s my friend.” Still me.
• There’s also something about the scene where Cyrus hunts Tessa that, like, the camera perspective makes it like nobody else — nothing else — exists in the world except these two people. We’re laser focused…because the predator is zoomed in on her.
• “Be safe now, Tessa.” A. Threat.
• “I need to talk to The Disciple.” “Go ahead.” And Voit just gives him that. Look.
• Another movie nerd moment for me: I sat there throughout Tessa’s story, wishing for another outcome even though I knew better, just so frustrated when things went the way they did…like I was watching Revenge of the Sith or some sh—. (Hm. Also the concluding chapter in a trilogy that’s not actually, totally, a standalone trilogy. Weird, huh?)
• “I don’t knowwww. It’s just hard to believe that Dr. Ochoa has been plotting with The Disciple to break Voit out.” David Rossi, a man who never once took the “it’s totally Ochoa” bait. Rude to mock me, personally, like this. But also kinda why he’s BAU Daddy, and I’m just a silly, little TV viewer.
• Petition to never have Law School Evan shout over my girls, ever again.
• “I can help you…unless you…have a…press conference you gotta get to?” GET HIM REBECCA. Loved that delivery from Nicole Pacent.
• “You’re scared.” “Yes…yes.” Like, just the pitch of Aimee Garcia’s voice on that second “yes” killed me. And what a creepy AF scenario.
• This is totally the same place where they held Emily hostage last season, no?
• The rocking and whimpering. Dear God. And the chain dragging across the floor. Y’all…
• You can 100% catch the second the lights go out for Tessa. And it’s right after she realizes she’s never getting out, while Cyrus brags about her parents dying in the “accidental” house fire.
• It’s the psychopathic play on Tennyson for me.
• “They need to suffer. Like we suffered.”
• “Something tells me I know exactly where this is headed.” “That’s because you’re a gifted profiler, who never stops being amazing.” Ok. First of all, Garcia’s right. But second, I love the total difference in Kirsten Vangsness’ and A.J. Cook’s energies here. Cook’s giving us this, like…tired and muttering JJ, while Vangsness has Penelope doing her ray of sunshine thing. Penelope’s working overtime, propping her friend up to help her get through this.
• Oof, and I love JJ’s little grin after, too. Mission accomplished.
• TL;DR Penelope Garcia, never change.
• “You think it’s more likely that —…” “…the disciple would want to use Dr. Ochoa as a sacrifice.” Just Jemily things: Emily finishing JJ’s sentence for her when she clearly doesn’t even want to touch that thought.
• In which I’m like “ah, yes. Elias has learned about toying with your sleeves from his new friend Jennifer.”
• The blood on his hands, though.
• These unis are dumb AF. There is something obviously off about this girl, and they’re not even bothering to follow up. Even when Cyrus is a person of interest. Mess.
• But how is Cyrus, at the height of his rage over Tessa mentioning his “son,” less terrifying than present-day Tessa?
• It’s actually insane to me that this season finale is so intense and so entertaining, when the main cast that I actually watch this series for was actually more background. The profiling sessions were practically comic relief…as much as a bunch of people sitting around and talking about serial killers possibly can be.
• “Wait for it. An accidental house fire.” It’s like Tara’s got the tea.
• “This is what lit up Evan and Rebecca. Ooh. That’s a pun.”
• I just think that Emily Prentiss in glasses, giving Professor Prentiss…
• I’d normally be like “ok but move it along” over a scene where the BAU’s telling us stuff we’ve already figured out, but like. I needed to breathe. Besides, the deliveries were really good. Whatever needs to be done to get this cast doing their thing, honestly.
• “Honestly, I don’t think he knew.” Dad knows his son, y’all.
• “I could’ve had a chance — I could’ve been different.” As we’ve seen all season, he could have. Arguably, Voit’s absolute love for his family, which made him such a complicated character to begin with, was already different from what Cyrus wanted out of him. In fact, I’d argue it saved him. As opposed to, you know, being his undoing like his cruddy uncle said it would be.
• I have to comment on that little bit of light peeking in through the floorboards again. When Sicarius comes to kill Cyrus and Tessa hears it all, that’s it. It’s her light at the end of the tunnel, the first true rays of light since she gave up on that sliver from the little basement window.
• Even something about the way Tessa casually lights that cigarette and starts taking her first steps toward freedom is different from what becomes of her between then and today???
• “You’re asking the wrong questions. It’s not what are you feeling. It’s…how are you feeling.” And she’s like gesturing and relishing the moment, yet still subdued. Because, again, I can’t stress this enough: The Disciple is soulless.
• “Betrayal. Being two-faced. That’s why you put him in the mask?” In retrospect, this was the moment in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 10 when Voit gave away that he was just pretending at being so-called Sicarius again. He’s too smart to make that mistake, but he totally pretended to need Tessa’s “insight” to get her to trust him. Brilliant.
• “I knew I couldn’t do this alone. I need the community that you created; I needed you.” Anyone else just…sad?
• Obligatory “personally, I would die for Penelope Garcia” moment! Obsessed with her little air quotes and the “girl, please” attitude when she talks about Tessa’s thesis advisor. Also: “…pervy teacher-guy talk to get a girl alone.” Chef’s kiss.
• But that tense beat of Tessa sizing Voit up after he asks for the gun, though.
• “Are you sure?” “Do nerds rule and boys drool?”
• Dad’s Rossi’s emotional “oh, my God,” though.
• Finally some true feeling from Tessa: Just years of rage unleashed on Voit when she realizes he’s double-crossed her.
• Also: “You shouldn’t have trusted me.” I just want to have him build computers with Penelope again. Because, seriously, he’s self-loathing here even after doing the right thing.
• I have to say, the scene where JJ convinces Voit to put the gun down is a stunner, even in a season finale full of them. One thing A.J. Cook’s going to do is break me. And that tiny little shake in Gilford’s hand as Voit’s trying to commit suicide by cop…oof. Just. Oof. My heart.
• I think, if anything makes that exchange a bit much, it’s the score? But Cook and Gilford are too good for me to care. And, frankly, I’ve had about enough of law enforcement taking the violent way out. Besides, Voit’s ending is, somehow, worse than if he’d died…but also way better.
• I’ve got similar thoughts on the Emily/Tessa scene. In the first place, they kind of set this up with Emily and Tyler earlier this season. It’s been nothing but loss for Prentiss, for so long. For her to do everything she can, so earnestly, to try to talk this girl off the ledge and avoid another death, it matters. Furthermore, Paget Brewster sells it. Even if you forgot about her “loss isn’t a part of the job — loss is the job” line in Episode 4, or the whole speech about how tired Emily was in Episode 8, the emotion Brewster brings here ought to tell you everything you need to know about how much her character needs a win. And much like with Voit, there’s really no way to win, anyway.
• LUKE TO THE RESCUE THANK GOD.
• I love this goodbye, but also I hate it. I WANT TO CRY FOREVER.
• Notice how Voit makes it a point to stop Dr. Ochoa as she’s leaving. He has to thank her, just like he did with Penelope that one time.
• “It was a mistake.” “Not killing you?” “Yes.” “Don’t think I haven’t thought about it.”
• “I did it.” He. Can’t. Make. Eye. Con. Tact.
• “I did all of it. Just no more F—ing deals.” Someone hug him! Both of them!
• “I can’t believe, after all the sh— that he has put us through that, like, now I’m actually feeling sorry for the guy.” JJ gets me.
• I also very much needed all the silliness from the family/team after that.
• First up: Penelope and Tyler. No, I don’t want them together. But yes, they are adorable. “Well, still, you had to [mimes typing, hilariously like boop boop boop boop boop] …hit the buttons.” “Oh, you’re funny sometimes.” “I think so.”
• Tara and Rebecca, flirty and practically already married. I know that’s right.
• “So, maybe, I’m thinking that…Emily should spring for the drinks.” “Ohhhh, here were go. Why don’t we just march up to my office? I have all sorts of spirits. For free.” “Yeah. But you got no snacks.” “You have no snacks, and I’m hungry.” I just…I love them. All of them. Cheapskate Daddy Dave, Mother Emily, Tara and Penelope focusing on the important things (snacks)…I love them.
• TUCHUS.
• Absolutely jarring to go from all the happiness and funsies to…that.
• What a ride.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 Episode 10 ‘The Disciple’? Leave us a comment!

All 10 episodes of Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18 are now streaming on Paramount+. Stay tuned for Season 19 news…