This tears the suspense from the conclusion of Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3, Episode 2, and continues straight into the surprise plot twists of the premiere. As the BAU grapples with evading a new monster, their horror begins, and Voit’s return heightens tension. Issues answered by his return are: Is his reign over, or is this the beginning of something worse? This tightens their work even more as they fight emotional and psychological crises.
Every twist along the way increases tension. Even as the BAU is laboring to locate the evidence, Voit Cold’s malevolent return attempts to divert the case with unforeseen hindrances, too. Just when they believe they are progressing in their inquiry, a horrific loss shatters all that’s known. The final seconds leave viewers gasping for answers, setting the stage for a show-stopping, adrenaline-filled next season.
Voit’s Return and Its Implications
Voit wakes up from his coma, and heightened fears among the BAU arise not immediately. His faculties may be diminished; there might even be a question mark. But he still has an iron grip on his followers. The BAU now believes that Voit is working on an even more grandiose scheme, calling his Internet followers to do his work for him.
Tyler Green evades shipping out, and this is largely due to his involvement in the Sicarius case. His very presence guarantees that Voit’s reign of terror will continue for some time. This gives the BAU sufficient reason to act quickly to crack Voit’s actual intentions before his widespread network enacts his deadly agendas.
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A New Unsub: Zookeeper’s Sickening Crimes
The episode brings in a new unsub, The Zookeeper, whose brutal methods disgust the team. As Garcia views horrific clips sent by Voit’s lawyer, she sees a woman caged. It is bizarre that this victim, Sabrina Traver, has been missing for more than a year.
Simultaneously, a seemingly normal man brings a woman home. She agrees to an unsafe act, yet he ignores her safe word. Meanwhile, in his basement, another woman is kept captive, cosplaying and caged. Sabrina—utterly broken and caged—will not help her as she frantically pleads for someone.
The Zookeeper then proceeds to very graphically show his dominance. He lets Sabrina shave his beard with a knife that he trusts entirely; she is beaten into total submission. Having tested her loyalty, he does the unthinkable and kills her with the very same knife. This scene justifies his inner psychological need to govern.
The BAU Fails to Block This Threat
Prentiss and Rossi suspect Voit’s influence is still active, even in a coma. Meanwhile, the team has to deal with The Zookeeper’s unimaginable deeds while trying to figure out his next move.
Garcia’s find provided an important clue, though. While profiling The Zookeeper, the team establishes a need for total dominance: His victims are grotesque reminders of his superiority. Working around the clock, the BAU tries to prevent him from committing further atrocities.
An Unexpected Tragedy
A sudden tragedy strikes when the team thinks it has hit an advantage. After a terrible personal loss by J.J., the entire team is put in chaos.
The audience is left wondering what is in store for them as the show hits its final lap. With Voit’s return, The Zookeeper’s crimes, and J.J.’s tragedy all converging, the BAU has an even more insurmountable task to face.
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Foreshadowing a Darker Path Ahead
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3, Episode 2 features an intense finale laden with high emotional footprints. As Voit’s grip tightens, The Zookeeper’s grotesque deeds just pile on chaos. J.J.’s loss further heightens the tragedy for the team.
The anticipation of fans for the next episode only adds to the pile of yet-unanswered questions in the series. What does the return of Voit mean for the BAU? How do they stop The Zookeeper? More importantly, how does J.J. heal from this tragedy? The next episode will be another fascinating section of an already great season.
