Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 2 Review: ‘Cluster’

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 2 “Cluster” is easily the stronger of the two episodes released on the new season’s premiere date. And it’s not even close. An equivocal death investigation involving veterans in the Army Recovery Care Program allows the series to remind us that, while help is available, not everyone is able to find what works for them in time. In fact, some people experience pain so severe, they’ll do anything for even the briefest moment of relief. Through powerful performances from Adam Rodriguez and Richard Cabral, the case wraps up with two very different, yet equally emotional, portraits of desperation. The UnSub is in agony and only ever feels a little better making others hurt. Meanwhile, there’s Luke Alvez, who knows what rock bottom feels like, had someone help him when he thought he’d never get out, and simply can’t bear one more loss.

There’s a horrible sort of parallel between Luke and David Graham (Cabral). In the moment, although he doesn’t have to lay it out and explain it to viewers—no taking our intelligence for granted here—Luke experiences a very clear recognition that there’s precious little separating who he was at his lowest point and the person he needs to arrest but is trying very hard to save, too. Because of his ties to the recovery program, his own mental health journey, and even his veteran status in general, it’s a case that would’ve been difficult for Alvez even in the best of times. But it’s not even a good time for him right now—much less the best.

Throughout the hour, right from the very first time we see him, Luke struggles through coping with a devastating personal loss. Then, one of his fellow “retired army grunts” brings him this case. So, he has to deal with pushing down an overwhelming amount of grief to get the job done, while witnessing not just the tragedy of what happens to our UnSub’s victims, but the gutting reality of how badly those common experiences damaged Graham as well. Put all of this together, and “Cluster” is a brilliant showcase for Rodriguez, who gets a way overdue opportunity to be front and center. Give Rodriguez strong material, and he’ll give you something stronger back. Here’s hoping no one forgets that after watching this episode.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 2 also works when the story takes a step away from the case of the week and zooms out to the ongoing Voit saga. In that part of the hour, Voit finally decides on a victim’s family to talk to…but he doesn’t tell the whole story because he’s still hiding facing his own internal battles. Oh, and even the conversation he can bring himself to have ends in disaster, thanks to a “true” crime podcast that’s full of colorful lies. From there, let’s just say things get weird, funny, and, eventually, hella concerning.

Much like the previous hour, this one ends with a glimpse of the new Big Bad. But this time, whoever it is, they’re listening to the podcast…and don’t like what they hear. At all. But I’m just saying I really like what I saw in this episode. Basically, as far as I’m concerned, just go ahead and call “Cluster” the Season 19 premiere.

MORE: How does “Cluster” stack up against the second episode of Season 18?

“Someone I just lost”

Rodriguez is well and truly stellar throughout Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 2, and it’s one of those situations where every tiny detail is actually something huge. Take, for example, that first scene where Luke visits (what we later learn is) Roxy’s grave. Rodriguez has no scene partner, no lines. And yet, it’s as if we can feel the presence his character came here to feel. With that comes so much sadness, as well as the need to honor a loved one who’s had a profound impact on Luke’s life and the extreme amount of weight that he’s now going to have to carry with him. There’s an emptiness about him, a “what do I do now,” a sense of being left behind. But there’s also so much more.

All that quiet contemplation just draws viewers in, in a scene just drawn out enough to make the grief seem as endless and out of time as it often is when we sit with our memories—the fond ones, the sad ones, the “what if” of guilt and regret whether those feelings have any place here or not—yet a scene that, at no point, feels too long. Is it uncomfortable to sit alongside Luke as he experiences all of that? Sure. But it’s never boring, always compelling; and that’s all down to what Rodriguez brings to the table. It’s all in how he lingers, how he looks basically ragged (for lack of a better word), how there’s a living, breathing series of small changes in how his presence conveys all that emotional…stuff.

As we follow Luke on his journey, back and forth in time between memories and the real-time investigation, Rodriguez keeps that grief as his companion. It’s like watching him work a dimmer switch almost, as he’ll barely let more of Alvez’s struggle start to be more external and then, just as quickly, shove it all back down. And again, save for a few places—the elevator where he gets to absolutely explode, that scene where he just hangs his head after an oh-so-gentle Penelope warns him “they’re starting to notice,” the big showdown with Graham, and of course the gut-wrenching goodbye—it’s all about delicate, infinitesimal shifts in expression, or tone of voice, or some other intangible something.

It’s all just so perfect for who Luke is and what he’s going through in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 2. Because he can’t—can’t stay that guy who bloodies his knuckles and screams in that elevator, can’t let the darkness take over him. Not only does he have a very serious job to do where his head has to be in the game, no matter what the case is, but he also knows what losing control of himself can look like. When he connects with David Graham near the end, that becomes more obvious than ever. And when we learn, with heartbreaking clarity, that the “partner” who saved his life is Roxy, is someone he just watched die not long ago, whose absence he’s been feeling all this time, it makes all the tremendous work leading up to that point that much better.

Somehow, it’s like we knew all along. Or should’ve known, or…something. Of course Luke thinks he has to do this alone and not let the rest of the BAU (except Penelope, of course) know what’s wrong with him. Because his person, the one who helps him when he feels this awful, isn’t there anymore—that’s why it’s difficult to do the simplest things right now—and if nothing and no one else could help him before he met her, why should they be able to now that she’s gone? Oh, and don’t even get me started on the flashback where Roxy actually dies. Some part of me actually can’t touch that one because it hurts too much, feels too familiar. Let’s just say it’s a very raw, honest, and real depiction of what that particular kind of goodbye is.

MORE: Last season, the whole family came together to mourn the loss of Will.

The Sicarius Files

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 2 brings back Brian Garrity (Paul F. Tompkins), which means the hour includes plenty of opportunities for Paget Brewster to be equal parts hilarious and deadly serious as an Emily Prentiss who just absolutely the f**k can not deal with this man. When he first gets off that elevator and excitedly rambles on and on about his podcast, Emily leads Brian to her office without a single glance in his direction. But through Brewster’s performance, viewers get to see every ounce of strength it takes for Emily not to turn around and slowly, painfully murder him—right there in front of everyone. It’s such an absolute delight, and this time around, Rossi joins Prentiss in the “we want to destroy this clown” club. Except where she’s utterly glitching out behind closed doors, he’s carefully collected in a way that’s downright terrifying.

If this, plus Emily’s creative description of how excruciating the heartburn Brian gives her—and Tarbecca’s side-by-side hilarious reactions to it—were all that came out of the latest Garrity mess, it would be a total win all on its own. But “Cluster” goes much farther, smartly using it as a tool to advance Voit’s storyline. In some sense, the smooth, convincing way Zach Gilford slips back into the Sicarius persona could, maybe even should be a bit of a red flag.

But he’s played with that persona while “healed” before—and it saved lives. So, it’s easy to believe it’s all an act, with Voit doing anything he can to get Brian to back off the lies about him and, maybe, stop the next potential serial by making it clear that nobody should want to be as “pathetic” as himself. The middle, and most compelling, ground here is that it’s all part of Voit’s larger struggle to try to stay the “good” guy while the monster is begging to be let out to play. Gilford’s last scene, paired with a Joe Mantegna who plays that inner devil on Voit’s shoulder in a way that’s just as twisted, just as gloating, just as snarky as Sicarius ever was—with a touch of something…more—warns that the Voit of Season 18 is not long for this world.

As in, we’re definitely doomed. Sure, I’d like to see Voit stay one of the good guys and all…but the outlook’s not great there.

Either way, Sicarius’ interview for Brian’s podcast makes for some killer (pun only about 50% intended) TV. It’s chilling, thanks to Gilford bringing back the psychopath and not missing a single beat. On top of the almost bored way he plays with his prey, there’s the pure physicality of absolutely destroying Brian’s cheesy sign—a moment. And…with Tompkins playing a character who’s initially just fanboying out, but who very quickly realizes he’s in way over his head, it’s also about as hilarious as anytime he and Brewster get together. Which, by the way, she’s hanging out there in the scene next to Nicole Pacent as an Emily and Rebecca who are, uh, not stepping in to help the conspiracy-brained attention seeker in the room.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 2 may not answer the question of whether Voit can keep his demons at bay, but it definitely makes a clear case for not believing everything you hear from “famous” podcasters. Especially not ones known for going down conspiracy rabbit holes and dwelling in their lairs down there…and especially not when they “pivot” to whatever the latest hot topic is. We shouldn’t need a TV show to tell us that. And yet.

MORE: Here’s what happened last time Prentiss had to deal with her old “friend” Brian Garrity.

More Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 2 reactions

That’s a very cool shot of that hallway to start.
“What the F— are you doing” indeed.
The score is really gorgeous there in that graveyard scene.
Something about Kirsten Vangsness doing the quote of the week voiceovers at a time when Rodriguez’s character obviously can’t find words just…yeah. That fits.
I literally just wrote, like, “…wow.” Sometimes, that’s all you need to say. Because…wow. So much agony, just bubbling over into rage, then…gone, almost as if it was never there. (But only almost.)
Also, the way Rodriguez breathes there…wow. And how is the whispered f**k somehow more emotional than all the screamy, punchy-fist ones??? God.
“Hey…thank you.” “Oh, but of course.” And she holds his hand so gently? Oh.
Alvez: “Nothing. I’m ok.” JJ: “I’m fine.” Same lie, different character.
“Well, they let your dumb a** become a profiler, didn’t they?” Oddly enough, this is about Alvez but not said by Garcia.
“I heard about…” Annnnnnd Luke immediately looks like he’s going to crawl out of his own skin if his friend finishes that sentence.
“Well, you didn’t help so much as I survived.”
“Did you know him, Luke?” “I know the type.” …from looking in the mirror, apparently.
“All he has to do is pick a family member and say, ‘boo hoo. I did it!’ Just one family member.” Talk about a mocking delivery. And that one finger on “just one” cracked me up.
“He’s treating this like he’s picking out a godd**n ring!” Someone give Dad a stronger coffee or a snack or something. He’s cranky AF.
“Yeah, well. Someone should tell him it’s always upsetting.” I have a really good idea for a volunteer.
Poor Emily. Can’t get a single person, not even JJ, to return her “good morning.” And the day absolutely doesn’t improve. (I’m with both JJ and Dave on needing the coffee before anything about the morning is “good,” though.)
“Well, Henry devours them. Specifically, the ones on Voit, and it turns out there’s one that mentions me, you, and the BAU.” I absolutely adore everything about AJ Cook’s line-reading here. Almost sing-song? Yet, um, not at all happy. Also: The head tilt right at the end.
Jemily should write and perform a duet called “You, Me & the BAU,” actually.
“No. Emily. This one is made by someone you know.” And she looks like she’s gonna cut someone when she goes to get her next swig of coffee.
The wordless communication is on point. Brewster’s little exaggerated expression that’s basically, like, “no clue, bro” and Cook’s little silent nudge after “personally” killed me.
Emily’s growled “FUUUUUUUUUU…” with that head thrown back. SO REAL.
Brian Garrity’s about to get his a** beat.
The cringe when he talks about his stupid brass ring.
Ok but I’m surprised Dave didn’t break the door, he slammed it so hard.
“Are you going…to kill me?” “No, because that’s illegal. And you have every right. to…produce a podcast that is nothing but lies.” She’s so mad it’s “illegal.” Poor thing wishes it wasn’t. (I’d say she’s innocent because we all support Emily Prentiss’ rights and wrongs. Also: Self defense. Can’t have this man inflicting so much heartburn on her so often. It’s bad.)
“Which is, is…” and the rapid-fire shaking her head, and kinda shrugging, and she is glitching the F— out. And that…gag noise??? Meanwhile, here comes very cool, intimidating Dave to be like “it’s horsesh**. And you’re gonna clean up the mess you’ve made.”
Soooooo, I’m all for an exhausted, evasive Voit changing the subject so he can fanboy over the Tarbecca marriage and all…but are we…it seriously happened off-screen and that’s…it??? Seriously??????? A whole funeral for Will and no wedding for these two. That…is a choice. And not one I’d make. Ever. Especially not when the case in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 1 could’ve been an email.
“Getting married’s kind of, you know, the ultimate act of…” Elias Voit, resistance king?????
Rebecca. Has. Had. E. Nough. THAT SIGH!!! I felt that, Ma’am.
“You. Told me to. What good is having an angel on my shoulder if I don’t listen to him?” “Ohhhhh. That’s a-dorable!” I can’t express how much I love how…condescending Ghost!Rossi is. The same goes for how much I love the role reversal. Back in the day, this is exactly who Voit was to Rossi. And now, turnabout is fair play and all that good stuff.
“What is?” “You think. I’m the an-gel.” Raise your hand if scared.
Where do I pitch my Emily/Brian sitcom and my horror-comedy for Dave/Elias?
“How are you doing?” “Tired.” “I heard that.” Same.
“Can I ask you something? The way he died…is there gonna be enough for his dress blues?” That older vet is haunted. And, um. Luke isn’t exactly doing any better. He can’t even get that “I don’t know” out without a long wait before that husky whisper. So good. Great scene overall, but my jaw dropped on this last part.
“Because he’s hurt. And he wants them to feel his pain.” Hurt people hurt people!
Me, covering my face for that lobotomy? Yep.
The guilt-ridden puppy version of Voit is alive in well in that scene with his victim’s mom. Gilford continues to do such a fascinating job of playing that side of the character. It’s easy to understand that he knows it’s impossible to ever make it ok, how he doesn’t want to own up to the worst of what he did but is genuinely sorry. All that mumbling through offering the mom a chance to beat him up, the way he was fidgeting because he couldn’t stand his own…anything, just really sold it.
“What…do you…want from me?” “I want to tell you what I’ve learned. Because when your child dies, you learn. Everything. You seek out every detail you can find to make it make sense…so, I’ve learned. How much pressure it takes, to crush a larynx.” Gilford’s reaction here. Truly a puppy that’s done wrong and is helpless to fix it. “14.3 kilograms. Did you know that?” “I did.” So. Quiet.
…and then she goes full Conspiracy Karen.
“Look: Calm down. There are a lot of podcasts out there, telling bigger lies about you.” Ok but this is supposed to calm him down…how?
“This is how the algorithm works! I’m mean, sure, Brian Garrity’s bad, but he’s not even the worst one out there.” “But he is the most popular, right? And given your prior experience with him, the most believable, thus the most dangerous.” It’s his gesture toward Emily for me. Then, she’s…her facial expression is very much “boy, what” before “dangerous?! Jesus, stop already.” “Tell me how I’m wrong.” “Look: Give a dipsh** a megaphone. He’s still too stupid to use it properly.”
I hate to do this, but…The reactions Emily and Tara have here are part of why we’re in the mess we’re in.
(This is a comment on current events and certain podbros, in case that wasn’t flagrantly obvious.)
…I cracked up at the dipsh** comment, though.
Ok but Emily’s attitude when she reminds Voit they arrested all of his stans.
“The guy we’re talking about is a troll. What is the first thing that you learned about the internet? You don’t feed the trolls.” “That was the first lesson of the internet before the troglodyte took over.” He’s not wrong!
“Of course you have conditions.” In retrospect, I wonder to what extent Emily noticed something off here.
See also: I now wonder if this was a slip, considering the end. “Am I happy to let a psychopath match with, with a deranged narcissist? No, I’m not, but. If it gets rid of Garrity, I’m willing to roll the dice on the psychopath.”
“When Brian Garrity is in my life…have you ever had heartburn? Where—where the acid reflux is…so, so hot, it’s like you can taste the hatred.” EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS IS PERFECT. I’ve mentioned this with previous reviews, but the way Paget Brewster can just pull the comedy gold out of her back pocket while still being so very Big Serious Emily Prentiss, is remarkable every single time.
And such a blast. I am seated, I am entertained, I am living.
And at the end, the spouses have the most hilarious reactions to all of that! I happened to pause when the corners of Rebecca’s mouth were turned wayyyyyyyy the F— down, with Tara like purposely blank, almost, before she broke. Criminal Minds: Evolution is a comedy!
“Ok. Now, I’m feeling it.”
I don’t want to make Luke’s grief solely about Garvez or Rodriguez’s performance all about how he and Vangsness play together. But. Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 2 certainly feeds the shippers. Case in point: “See, that is why I always consult The Oracle of Alvez. Penelope, is Luke ok?”
That whispered “I don’t know” before Tara’s, like, “insistent principal getting a student to confess” look.
“I don’t knowwwwww! And if I did know, I wouldn’t tell any of you. Because I’m not a gossip. So, let’s get back to work. Skeedaddle.” Penelope, my love. You aren’t fooling profilers.
“Luke, she’s in a lot of pain.” Then, boom. Back to the present with Luke in a lot of pain.
She is so SOFT.
“Are you up for this?” “Look, I have to be.”
The stricken look from Luke when he first meets Howard.
…and don’t even get me started on what happens after that poor man manages to get that “kill me” out.
“Because when you’re a psychopath, right before you kill someone, your brain gets flooded with dopamine. That would be the only chemical that would give him some relief.” Ok, so. This obviously explains the UnSub. But…is this…is this why Voit is looking to get out of prison? Not a relapse in terms of him fully becoming the monster and feeling nothing, but more of a situation where he can’t deal? Or am I just, like, so moved by how Gilford is stringing viewers along.
So, obviously the way Voit pounds on the table to scare Brian and the way he murders that sign are both moments. But I’m also impressed by the way Gilford releases when that fist he’s resting his chin in. It just flops, totally collapses, down to the table. No energy. All breath out, muscles relaxed. Release. (Currently thinking of certain modern dance exercises and being like, “yeah, that feeling.” Swings, anyone?)
“Oh. Your leve—your levels are in the red? I’m sorry. You’re spreading lies about me, and you’re worried about your f**king levels?”
Brian glances helplessly at my girls. My girls just stand there, do nothing. Queen sh**.
“We didn’t approve the sign.” Sorry, not sorry, I wheeze-laughed for at least a couple full minutes after this. Listened to it several times and had the same reaction every time.
“It’s because it gives you. An explanation for me. It makes me smaller. Do I seem small to you right now?”
I shouldn’t be cracking up because I know what Sicarius can do, but also…look at them all go!
“Now, it’s—it’s my turn to explain myself to you. And you’re not—you’re not…far off. It takes a little man to be scared of someone banging on the table, but it…it takes a littler one to resort to it. There is…nothing romantic about me. I’m not brilliant, I’m not special…I’m an anti-social psychopath who can only get his heartrate up by killing people. It’s sad how pathetic I am, but do you know what’s even more pathetic? Someone who makes a show about it. And anyone who listens to it. Now, we’re done.” The show, the slipping into the persona, the self-loathing, the truth.
Rebecca back there, trying so hard not to make eye contact with Emily because she’ll crack up at Brian. Emily back there, pretty much giving “be careful what you wish for, b**ch.”
I know this dude didn’t just come at Emily over betraying him.
“Ohh, Brian. There’s something I’ve been wanting to say for the better part of six years. We are not friends. All you have ever done is make my life miserable, so my job is not to make your job easier.” “How dare you? You are a public servant.” “TO THE PUBLIC!!! Not to you, personally!” That gesture on “PUBLIC,” though.
“Oh, you have me siding with a convicted serial killer over you.” Again. Same.
“I guess hearing that from you means…something.”
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 2 blends so much of Luke’s backstory with this case, the fact that it also makes these flashbacks the key to him helping solve the case is just an extra layer of brilliance. Him having to drown in that memory of finding out about Roxy’s tumor to realize that’s what’s happening with their UnSub took my breath away.
That gravelly quality to Rodriguez’s voice broke me a little.
“Copy.”
Nice touch letting Tyler be the one to get the guy’s trust initially by using that Soldier’s Prayer before Luke really gets to connect with him.
“I was losing my sh** all the time. At one point, I even had my gun in my mouth. I know what that metal feels like against your teeth. I’m guessing you do, too.” Pain.
Every. Single. Second. Of this is insanely good.
And every single “I know” is just…he does.
That sad smile in the flashback for her benefit???
“Hey. I’m not bullshi—ing you. You want to talk to another soldier, I’ll be there for you. I mean that.” THE PASSION.
I shouldn’t be surprised by how good Cabral is here, given how great he was on SVU. But…this is…wow.
I know I mentioned it up above, but I actually can’t even go there with that flashback of Luke saying goodbye to Roxy. Just…it deserves all the praise I gave to everything else Rodriguez did in this hour—and then some.
But I can’t.
But I’ll at least put this: “They said ‘be careful. She’s a handful.’ I said ‘good. Because I am, too.’ You saved my life.” AND THE WAY HE PUTS HIS HEAD DOWN ON HER AND CRIES?? AS HE STROKES HER???
Penelope is rubbing his back???
“Hey. You can lie to your conscious self, but you can’t lie to me.” My dude looks downright evil, and that twisted expression is…that is not David Rossi, and that is not coming from the conscience of Voit 2.0. That is…oh, that’s 1.0 trying to jump back out. Permanently.
Good God, Joe Mantegna.
And Voit’s trying to do what now? NOOOOOOOOO.
“So, we give Elias Voit the last word. He wanted us to know how he feels. We owe him our attention, if not our approval.”
…but the last word is, really, new guy’s rage. Uh oh.