Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 concluded with a satisfying finale for its team, but the resolution of a major mystery from season 2 felt like a missed opportunity. The cliffhanger at the end of season 2, where Elias Voit (played by Zach Gilford) is attacked in prison, set up a tantalizing mystery. However, season 3’s approach to addressing this plotline ended up being more of a letdown than an exciting payoff.
The Mysterious Attack on Voit
Season 2 left viewers with many questions about Voit’s fate after he was left in a coma from an attack while in prison. The scene set the stage for a thrilling investigation, with fans eagerly waiting to discover who orchestrated the attack.
Throughout season 3, the story focused on Voit’s recovery, particularly his brain injury and the empathy he began developing as a result.
His transformation from a ruthless criminal mastermind to a man trying to reclaim his memories made for an intriguing character arc. However, the mystery of who ordered the attack on Voit remained largely in the background until the season finale.
The Big Reveal: Voit’s Lawyer Was Behind the Attack
The final episode of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 finally revealed that Voit’s own lawyer was responsible for the prison attack. Tessa (Jordana Spiro), the series’ secondary antagonist, is the one who drops this bombshell.
She uses this revelation in an attempt to manipulate Voit, trying to prove that those around him, including his legal team, have never had his best interests at heart. However, this twist doesn’t pack the punch it should have, and here’s why: the character of Voit’s lawyer had never been developed enough for the audience to feel invested in this reveal.
The Disappointment of a Forgotten Plotline
In many ways, the mystery surrounding the prison attack could have been a major storyline in season 3. Instead, it was relegated to a throwaway line, which left much of the suspense unfulfilled. The concept of someone from Voit’s past—or even a member of the BAU—being behind the attack was intriguing.
There were plenty of potential suspects, and this could have easily been woven into the ongoing investigation of the Sicarius network. However, the show’s primary focus was on Voit’s recovery, with the BAU team consumed with dismantling the criminal network. As a result, the mystery of his prison attack took a backseat, leaving viewers to wonder what could have been.
Missed Opportunities for Suspense
The suspense that could have been built around the investigation into Voit’s attack was completely bypassed. The narrative didn’t give enough attention to this subplot, and Tessa’s late-season introduction only further diluted its impact.
Viewers had no prior connection to Voit’s lawyer, making the twist feel underwhelming. The reveal came off as an afterthought rather than a significant part of Voit’s journey.
By not exploring this mystery in greater detail, the show missed an opportunity to create additional drama and tension throughout the season. The plot surrounding Voit’s empathy and his struggle to regain his memories was certainly compelling, but the way the prison attack was handled undermined its potential for further intrigue.
Voit’s Journey: Empathy, Not Redemption
While the attack mystery was underwhelming, Voit’s journey throughout season 3 remains one of the show’s strongest elements. His evolution from a cold, calculating killer to a man struggling with his past and new-found empathy was fascinating.
Voit’s growth was presented in a way that felt authentic and earned, and his attempts to understand his own humanity were a major highlight of the season. However, the potential for further exploration of his past and the consequences of his actions was limited due to the focus on his recovery rather than the mystery of who tried to kill him.
