Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 4 Review: ‘The Witching Hour’

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 4 “The Witching Hour” sees Prentiss, Rossi, and Tyler Green—anyone else have a hard time actually calling him Agent Green instead of just Tyler and/or Tyler Green?—investigating a series of bloody deaths by sledgehammer in Colorado Springs. The killer thinks he’s on some kind of mission to dole out justice for “witches” accused of heresy (by him) because his Malleus Maleficarum obsessed brain has him convinced his victims’ infidelity makes them heretics—witches—and the only appropriate method of dealing with their crimes is death.

Somewhere in there, that sledgehammer he uses is a bit literal of an interpretation of his favorite book…but it’s not exactly as if anyone ever said UnSubs were rational. So, like, of course he needs to bring his own “Hammer of Witches” with him to do his very important job of slaughtering cheaters and leaving their spouses with traumatic memories. As our profilers uncover, the UnSub, a substitute teacher named Sean Fincher (Dash Mihok, in a deliciously dark guest performance that’s as strong as it is totally unsurprising that it is that strong) finds his victims by overhearing students’ conversations. In a twisted sort of parallel, the whole case is a learning opportunity for Tyler—though, his teachers are Emily and Dave…whereas those poor kids had a murderer for their sub.

Tyler learns—the hard way—that sometimes, doing the job right and saving innocents still means making deadly decisions. And throughout the investigation, Rossi guides him through trusting his instincts, closely examining crime scenes, and just building all the right skills to, one day, become the best profiler he can be. After taking such a hit to his confidence because he totally called out Voit’s whole “kill me now, by any means necessary” vibe in the previous hour, what could be more valuable than getting all that personal attention from Rossi and Prentiss? Nothing. Actually, scratch the Voit part. Working with those two is priceless, whether you’re at the top of your game and comfortable in the job or not.

But speaking of Voit. He’s suddenly on the other side of a game he once loved playing with the BAU and, now, not only has to help Tara and the others figure out who The Fan is…but also stop them before it’s too late. That leads us Lance Kingston (Connor Storrie, who fits in with this group of massive talents far better than anyone has any right to on the first try). Lance is definitely a bad guy—like, in a “this is why women choose the bear” sense—but not the bad guy. Instead, The Fan uses Lance as a red herring and an unwitting information gatherer.

Looks like, if the end of this episode is any indication, Lance isn’t long for this world—but first, The Fan is probably going to have some fun at his, and the BAU’s, expense. All of this because, self-loathing and hopeless as Voit is these days, he called himself—and anyone who would tune in to podcasts about him—pathetic.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 4 ought to be a warning about obsessing too hard over anyone or anything. But something tells me that neither this hour nor whatever comes after it will make a difference in that department. Regardless, both the case of the week and the latest development in Voit’s story are solid in this hour. And, in a surprise to absolutely no one who actually follows this series, it’s a combination of the main cast’s performances and the character development in between all the creepy, disturbing sh** that’s the best part. As always.

Sorry, not sorry, to anyone who expects this reviewer to say otherwise.

MORE: Season 17 was all about Gold Star, which turned out to be far more than “just” an UnSub.

“He’s like you…the old you”

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 4 reveals that Voit’s taking whoever his secret admirer is very seriously. And he should after that, uh, unique fan mail. Nobody sends an obsessively designed and executed stack of pages from an analog typewriter like that if they’re not seriously screwed up. Perfectionist, bare minimum—but this is obviously something much more threatening. As Emily puts it pretty early in the hour, using that particular ability to choose where to place emphasis that nobody does better than Paget Brewster, “I meannnnnn…the time and effort.” And she’s right to call that out. I often ask myself who actually has the time with a lot of unhinged, dangerous sh** people do in the name of their idols.

The people who don’t have time are The Fan’s potential victims. As Voit puts it, “this guy is just looking for a reason to get started.” But he doesn’t even get to pointing that out until the end of what is, yet again, an interesting back and forth between him and Dr. Lewis. As Voit’s profiling whoever sent him what I’m going to go ahead and refer to as The “I AM NOT PATHETIC” Manifesto, it’s obvious that the whole thing bothers him. Zach Gilford makes his discomfort raw and real enough to almost be its own character, yet there’s also a very simple feeling of familiarity there—because, as Tara rightly points out, The Fan is a lot like Sicarius himself.

But he really doesn’t like hearing that part. So, he breaks Tara’s gaze, turning away and looking almost…pouty? It’s almost funny, in the moment. Maybe it shouldn’t be…but it is. That gets Tara to soften things by saying it’s how Voit used to be, but viewers know he’s been imagining Dave as the devil on his shoulder and looking for some kind of escape so…still unclear if the angel on his shoulder (probably also Dave—let’s be real) will win that battle. Still, a little bit of an annoyed sort of eyebrow raise acknowledges—grudgingly—that Tara’s right. To a point. The Fan isn’t like Sicarius yet, but “he aspires to be.”

The next thing Voit doesn’t want to hear: This escalation is kind of his own fault. As he and Tara discuss the hit to The Fan’s ego and how it obviously led to the mess that’s just getting started with that stack of papers, Dr. Lewis gives it to him straight that that’s “because of you.” And when Voit tries to avoid that bit of accountability, there’s this fascinating battle of wills that goes on between the two of them, totally in silence. The highlight for me here is probably that stern, nudging look from Aisha Tyler—Tara is not letting the guy in front of her squirm out of this one.

If it’s not that, it’s how much Voit struggles to take responsibility right after the look registers with him. He has to take that deep breath and gather himself a little before finally landing on, “I was…a little pi**ed off when I went at Garrity.” Imagine how long poor Tara would’ve had to sit there and wait if she wanted this guy to fully own how much he went off. (Which, by the way, Garrity deserved…and so did everyone trying to turn a serial killer into a celebrity. Just saying.)

But the fun and games don’t last because the next time The Fan reaches out (as Voit predicted this person would), it’s with photos of a young woman. She could be a victim, but Voit realizes if that were the case, the UnSub would’ve sent him pictures of her dead body. So, it’s “game on.” And the Big Bad isn’t the only one playing a little bit of a game here—Lewis is totally testing Voit’s skills. She waits for him to realize the BAU has already identified the woman instead of just telling him. It’s yet another small, yet important, detail that makes Voit’s ever-evolving relationship with the BAU, and his dynamic with Tara in particular, a natural and fascinating continuation of exploring “this symbiosis of profiler and serial killer” that Aisha Tyler teased ahead of Season 17.

Once we know who the mystery girl is—publishing intern Laura Boyd, whose personality…is pretty much “TEMU Kirby from Scream 4“—the obvious suspect is her ex-boyfriend, who “turned out to be a complete stalker nutjob.” The ex in question: Lance Kingston (Connor Storrie). He even took the pictures The Fan sent to Voit, back when he and Laura were together.

But the interrogation…reveals something else. First off, when JJ’s in the box with that guy, Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 4 goes from good to great. One thing Jennifer Jareau is going to do is throw every ounce of attitude some suspect, especially some guy, gives her right back at him. AJ Cook has had to play some very, very difficult and heartbreaking moments for JJ recently. So, while it’s always thrilling to see The Jennifer Jareau read someone like a book, know exactly which buttons to push to get them to answer questions they don’t even realize she’s asking, enjoy it, and enjoy letting them know she enjoys it—all while not breaking the slightest bit of a sweat—this is extra special. It’s like JJ’s so back. Temporarily? Maybe. But wow, is it nice to see her do this.

Score one for The Fan…and for this series’ fans

Then, there’s the Connor Storrie of it all. The fact that he doesn’t disappear opposite someone like Cook, especially when she’s playing a JJ fully in her element, is impressive. He makes this Lance character every bit as combative and as d**kish as we need him to be, and when the time comes for him to explode, it’s actually startling. Still, he keeps the performance restrained enough for “this Lance guy” (cracked up when Tara called him that, for some reason) to pretty clearly not be The Fan. He’s a normal kind of evil, and he absolutely should stay the F— away from Laura (and all women). But he’s not The Fan levels of evil, something Tara confirms when she does her (very smart) little pen trick to prove Lance isn’t obsessive compulsive, which we’ve already confirmed our Big Bad UnSub is.

Then, there’s Lance’s reaction to Luke mentioning his mother. That defensive little beat Storrie takes before Lance tries to convince himself, and Luke, his mom loves him is a really good acting choice. The same goes for the way he softens and begins to…shrink, almost, when Alvez reveals the BAU knows about all those unanswered messages. Unsurprisingly, it’s also a great scene for Adam Rodriguez, who is 100% perfect as both “the little extra muscle” JJ and Dr. Lewis order and…just, pure Luke.

Which kind of brings me back to how well Storrie fits in here. Strong scene partners tend to elevate each other’s performances. They know how to build a great back and forth, taking their spotlight moments where they come—while knowing when and how to step back and let others do what they do best. The Criminal Minds: Evolution cast has always been good at that and is, at this point, a well-oiled machine. For all the distractions that might come from Storrie’s appearance—through no fault of his own, just the double-edged sword being the star of such a huge hit of his own—what he actually does in his scenes with Cook, Tyler, and Rodriguez is compliment everyone really well, just as they do for him.

Also, he’s just really good at playing a total d**k with a little bit of something…more underneath. The nice thing there is you can typecast while still never actually typecasting. A win for people who like good TV and for this guy’s future.

…but here’s the thing. He’s not The Fan. Just as Voit’s nervously biting that thumb of his and theorizing that Lance is “a sacrificial pawn,” we actually see confirmation of that. Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 4 ends with Lance being dragged off, dumped in a trunk, and taken who knows where. Definitely nowhere good, at least. So, the BAU might not find a body? Yet?

MORE: Still trying to figure out how this toxic fanboy is going to be a bigger Big Bad than The Disciple.

“It’s family time”

So, there’s this whole mystery with The Fan. There’s our latest UnSub with his sledgehammer and all the detailed blood spatter. And then, there’s the heart of Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 4, which happens to be yet another reminder of why this series is a comfort show for so many people—even with all the bad guys running around. In “The Witching Hour,” although both the case of the week and the larger investigation both take the BAU down some interesting paths, the only roads that actually matter are the ones that lead to home. The ones that lead to family.

At the beginning of the episode, before we even see Henry’s name or any of the texts, AJ Cook makes it crystal clear that JJ’s talking to one of her boys. I could probably dissect the way Cook’s very presence screams “mom mode” or the amount of emotion Cook can convey so effortlessly, but it’s probably best to say nothing more and nothing less than that she’s just…doing what she always does. When that text bubble disappears without Henry actually responding, JJ’s reaction is as if someone’s actually physically wounded her. Then, when she finds out—from a Luke who is adorably caught in an awkward moment when he realizes it’s news to her—Henry wants to stay local, it’s like the hurt and confusion she experiences from her son not feeling like he can tell her this totally tilts her world on its axis.

But, after the day’s work is done, she’s able to thank Luke for being there for Henry. And it’s like snuggling up under a warm blanket on a cold night, enjoying a favorite snack. Because, honestly, what do you even say, other than “wow, I love this family”? As JJ tells Luke, she’s happy Henry’s had someone from the team to talk to, in spite of that initial sadness after realizing he felt like he couldn’t talk to her. And since Luke’s been through a lot lately, too, it’s so nice to hear that it’s also been good for him to be Henry’s confidant. It’s such a sweet, vulnerable moment from both Rodriguez and Cook, and when JJ talks about Luke and Penelope being her village, hearts everywhere should absolutely be melting.

That moment by the elevators alone is yet another “this is why we call this a comfort show.” But both the heartwarming storytelling and Cook’s performance as a mom who loves her son dearly and wants him to live his dreams—even if it’ll break her heart to be so far away from him—get better from there. When JJ quietly creeps back into Penelope’s place in the middle of the night, she goes and wakes her oldest up for some family time. And it’s just…that’s my comfort show. I don’t know what else to say.

Maybe I should say that Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 4 makes me feel ancient? I mean, seriously. Hearing Henry try to be there for his mom and little brother instead of moving across the country for college, JJ leveling with him honestly and openly instead of shrugging off her exhaustion, and even thinking about our little baby all grown up…how does anyone not feel old? (Insert tiny Henry, dressed up as his hero, here.) Still, if there’s a single dry eye after JJ barely gets that “always” out—and Cook barely holds in those tears that are equal parts JJ’s love for Henry, her pride in who he’s grown up to be, and her sadness that he’s going—I’ll be shocked.

Just an achingly bittersweet, and excellently done, little slice of time outside of it all.

MORE: Jennifer Jareau and her boys have had a tough time, but their family has been there for them every step of the way.

More Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 4 reactions

The problem with having Dash Mihok here is he makes me think about Law & Order: Organized Crime…which makes me angry about the cancellation and all the missed opportunities all over again. Not good! (But I can’t stress enough how good Mihok is in this role.)
The camera work sets up a nice little fakeout there at the beginning of the episode. It’s like someone’s watching/following what, very quickly, turns out to be the actual person we’re supposed to be afraid of.
You know it’s good when you’ve watched this series for all these episodes and are still like “holy Fuuuuuuu…he did WHAT?!” Like, in retrospect, I should’ve absolutely expected that sledgehammer to the head. AND YET.
“…all those pages.”
Tag yourself: I’m Emily’s hushed “Jeeeesus” and Tara’s “someone reallllly did not appreciate Voit calling them pathetic on Garrity’s podcast.”
JJ. Mother. Ma’am. Jennifer. Why do you have your son’s first and last name in your phone as his contact info? Do you need a reminder, or did you let the phone default to however he set his profile for others, or…???
“Remember you and Michael need to clean up at Garcia’s.” And in that moment, I was already hooked.
Jennifer Jareau, shortened to JJ, has to ask her son how today’s going by shortening it to “goin’.” Amazing.
“Ok. So. Pretty sure I am being ghosted by my son.” It’s the sassy “Ok. So.” for me! That’s my JJ!
Freeze. Deer in headlights look. “Oh. I’m interrupting.” In which Penelope walks in on JJ and Luke this time instead of the other way around.
…except she’s “interrupting” something way different than what they did last week.
Love Penelope’s little noise before she starts briefing everyone on the latest case and that “ick” face she maintains the whole time.
“My people.”
“Timeout: All men, please immediately go to therapy. Thank you. Time back in.” And this is why we always say that Penelope should never, ever change.
Emily and JJ working separate cases in separate states? Unfair to me, personally. When are we getting more Jemily????
“…looks like he has sparked a fire that we are going to have to put out.” Emily is tired before they even start, huh.
“I bet he typed up dozens and dozens of these that weren’t good enough to send.” Anyone else feel attacked?
“…could’ve chosen my words a little more wisely.” Also relatable.
“You said it yourself—your celebrity carries influence.” This. Just. This. Always this.
“A lot of UnSubs are triggered by marriages ending.” Hilarious coming from Dave, man of many marriages.
“Oooh! I see those wheels turning! Let’s hear your theory, Agent Green.” Ok. First of all, whomst? Agent what? Tyler. His name is Tyler, Tyler Green at most. (Sorry, kid.) Second, I love everything about this delivery from Joe Mantegna. Little bit too bright, little bit Dave trying to tease Tyler out. And some of these movement choices, like the tilt (kinda?) to get started and small motion with his hand for “turning,” are so subtle but just…work.
“What did I tell you? Reps, you need more reps. You always have to…run through a few bad theories to get to the good ones.” That oh, so quiet “I guess” hurts. RJ Hatanaka continues to be such a great addition to this cast.
Tyler might be a little, how you say, green…but he’ll get there.
Emily Prentiss. Paget Brewster. That is all.
…ok. I lied. It’s not all. That scene where Emily interviews Charles Tolson, and her immediate conversation with Dave afterwards, totally punched me in the guts. Brewster brings so much empathy to the moment, as the surviving victim (whose spouse we saw go splatter) asks what he’s supposed to say. And her voice on the “I am so sorry” is just so, so, incredibly full of emotion. That’s to say nothing of all the fast blinking Emily does to keep herself under control/to avoid crying there. Then, just “must’ve been an interesting conversation with Mr. Tolson.” “Heartbreaking, too.” How do you not weep for her???
Also: I’m totally digging the throwbacks to more “classic” Criminal Minds this season. The whole time Charles is working through memories to tell Prentiss what he saw, those flashesbacks are so old school. Love it. Just…what a gift to those of us who’ve watched all these years.
Note—and “WTF you should know better”—to self: When a BAU member asks another BAU member if they remember a certain serial killer, don’t look that person up!
“Not just the families—the women. A—and call me biased by my experience, but…when I hear accusations of heresy and guys performing salt rituals…I think witch hunts.” That little shrug and the hand to her chest…I don’t know why those little things make her personality shine through so much, but they do.
This lady has some ovaries on her. (Way stronger than balls, ok.) “Kill this witch, a**hole! Kill this wiiitch!!!” BRB going to listen to Pinkshift’s “BURN THE WITCH.”
I don’t know how/why the blood spatter in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 4 keeps being so artistically impressive to me? But it does!
“Yeah, it’s the state tree of Pennsylvania.” Tara and Luke just…look at her. “My home state, guys.” JJ is so cute here??? Look at that shruggy-smirky smartypants! LOVE her. (All of them.)
Much like Brewster during Emily’s conversation with Mr. Tolson, Joe Mantegna has his chance to portray a huge well of empathy during Dave’s hesitant, regretful questioning of Mrs. Blair. That pure agony when she asks Rossi to leave is everything. Just a stunner.
Obligatory “Penelope Garcia,” never, ever change moment: The icked out, confused, “where do I put my hands” moment when her phone rings mid lotion (or sanitizer or whatever?) rub. Very smart to use that pencil, too! Vangsness, and this character who may or may not basically be real to me at this point, both remain absolute and complete treasures.
“Good Witch Garcia, what can I spell ya for?” You know she loves that this is a case that’s about witches, however loosely, before she even starts in on all these witchy comments huh.
“Ok. Can I just say, aside from the killing, I find this UnSub’s behavior very sex-negative. He doesn’t know those people, could be an open relationship.” Penelope Garcia, sex-positive queen.
“Alright, let’s see if this is adultery or just ‘witches be shoppin’.” Criminal Minds: Evolution is a very dark and serious show, people. I swear!
“I sure can, but that’s gonna take more bubble, bubble, toil and trouble.” Love of my life, love of everyone’s lives. Ray of sunshine, etc.
“Guessing this wasn’t on your Goodreads list, Dave.” My immediate reaction to this was typing a bunch of gibberish, for what it’s worth. Emily Prentiss, never change either.
If both Gideons weren’t dead, I’d call this foreshadowing and/or baiting. As it is…I just love it, ok.
Again with the old school: The UnSub prepping himself in his dark and shadowy lair while the BAU delivers the profile, showing him picking up that sledgehammer and holding it like some kind of holy warrior as Tyler says he’s a “moral enforcer,” and the quick montage of occult-related imagery. Amazing. Thank you for that.
“Yeah, and still he’s not 100% positive that he’s smarter than me.” “This would be one way to prove it.” Voit with that jaw working, the way he turns away with that little eyeroll before “test of skills,” good stuff from Gilford. Voit knows what this guy’s up to and is so…not a fan of The Fan. Or himself because it’s exactly what he’d do.
“Game on.”
“Fastest game of Carmen Sandiego I’ve ever played.”
“Sh—.” “Seconded.”
That reflection of Tara in the two-way? Art.
“That’s my girlfriend.” “Was—was your girlfriend.” GET HIM.
“Ok…huh. I can see now why Ms. Boyd broke it off with you.” This. Right here. Look at how thrilled JJ is. She’s playing with this MF and loving every second of it. (Same, queen. Keep playing in his face.)
“Figured she’d mention that. B**ch.” Someone has a wee bit of a broken heart underneath that rage, huh.
“Just gonna need your John Hancock at the bottom right there.” “Who? …whatever.” Child left behind! (It’s possible I had to pause because I laughed too hard.)
My God. The intensity in Aisha Tyler’s gaze as Tara studies this dude for his reaction to that leaky pen. Just absolute intelligence and laser focus.
Once again, she’s proud of herself with that “a little extra muscle” plan.
Tag yourself: I’m the person cracking up over how messy JJ and Tara are for being entertained by this…but also right there with them. Man, Rodriguez playing that “I’m your buddy…but actually threatening TF out of you and meaning it” version of Luke is some good TV.
“Leave Laura alone.” Sharp nod.
IDK WTF is on Penelope’s head here, but I support whatever she wants to do.
That lighting and kind of…dim blurring at the Woodrow crime scene is, yet again, classic Criminal Minds.
Thank you, director Adam Rodriguez.
That moment of consideration Mihok gives to this grieving, yet somehow hopeful, mother: So good.
“It’s easy to see the glass as half empty right now. But experience has taught us…” “Glass is half full?” “No. The question you need to ask yourself is did you do the job right.” Poor Tyler’s really afraid Emily’s going to give him some fake optimism here. But (and Brewster’s timing and decisiveness here are great) “no.” That’s not Emily. She’s going to give it to you straight…and put emphasis in all the right places. (Did you do the job right.)
“…and if the answer is yes, f**k the glass.” David Rossi, BAU dad.
Tyler’s little smile is basically me.
“Whether you know it or not, you and Penelope…” The sigh. (I almost thought, for a second, JJ was going to go…there.)
“You’re—you’re like my extra eyes and ears. You know, my village, helps me care for the boys. And, um, look as much as I want him to have that college dorm experience, it’s—it’s his decision.” Everything about this, from the shaky voice on the “as much as I want him,” to the halting delivery all the way through, to that little shrug…AJ Cook is undefeated in the “can break an audience” department.
The way Luke smiles and shakes his head on “he’ll tell you when he’s ready” is adorable.
Ok but when is Emily back in the village? Someone knows Jemily is too powerful for us to get regular doses, huh.
Something about Henry crashed out on Penelope’s pink couch has me like “awwwwwww.”
“Because as tired as I am, nothing makes me happier than sharing something sweet with my firstborn.” The clinked spoons!
BAU, our baby boy is GROWN!
She treats him like the whole grown man he is but…but also like our baby boy??? Perfect.
“Are you sure you’re gonna be ok if I go?” “Everything’s gonna be alright. I promise.” Side note: This is Criminal Minds: Evolution, so this terrifies me. JJ, you know better than to make that kind of promise!
Her emotion when Henry carefully mentions California…
“Then, I am. Right behind you. Always.” The way she struggles with this, the break in her voice on “always,” the tears swimming in my her eyes…what a scene.
It’s fascinating that there’s no Evil!Rossi in Voit’s head in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 19 Episode 4. What does it mean? Does having someone to profile keep his mind off…other things? Is it a coincidence/timing issue with the episode? What does it mean????
“Well, he’s certainly feeling smarter than all of us.” Aisha Tyler, comedy queen.
“His death is just part of this guy’s greater goal.” “And what’s that?” “To emulate his idol.” Behold, the former Big Bad, now nervously chewing that thumb to work out a problem, then pouting his way through realizing another Big Bad has come to copy him and remorselessly do all the things he now regrets.
Again going to have to just point out that Gilford has turned Elias Voit into the world’s smartest overgrown child. And I’m loving every second of it.