Criminal Minds: Evolution episode 1 recap: The BAU is back in action

Criminal Minds: Evolution episode 1, “We’re Just Getting Started,” premiered Nov. 24 on Paramount+ and every fan was ready for their return! After a 15-year run, we’ve missed the BAU and it was a joy to see them on our screens. Even though Matt Simmons and Spencer Reid aren’t a part of the series, they still received a few honorable mentions. It’s clear they’re both still with the agency, just on different assignments.

What about everyone else? Well, due to budget cuts and resources being spread around, the team have been separated for the most part. Plus, leader David Rossi has been battling grief after the loss of his wife, which we’re still bitter about.

After finally finding happiness at the end of the series, he’s alone once more and still letting grief take over. It’s not only affecting him personally, but professionally, as he’s pushing his team away.

Each member of the team is tasked with separate cases that don’t all seem like they should be connected. However, it soon becomes clear they are. It’s even more obvious when Rossi can tell there’s organization when it comes to the murders of an entire family.

Criminal Minds: Evolution episode 1 has the biggest case yet

But Penelope Garcia, who is brought in unwillingly, finds that their unsub communicated with the daughters of each family on a social media forum geared towards teens. One of the girls was kidnapped and the team is able to get Garcia’s help in locating who was speaking with them both.

Tara Lewis is also on her own, having discovered a footlocker containing bodies spanning decades. Unfortunately, the Deputy Director of the BAU is adamant that they don’t use resources to bring it in, wanting the DEA to handle it.

However, Section Chief Emily Prentiss isn’t buying it and is eventually able to have Tara bring it back to the BAU. This occurs because of the case Rossi is on.

Having sent Rossi photos of the evidence she found, he’s looking at them when he spots media coverage of the trailer of his unsub, Rory Gilcrest. A similar kill kit was shown not only on television, but in Tara’s photos. The two cases are connected.

The first episode really outlined where everyone is in their personal lives. Garcia has been thriving while not at the BAU and JJ Jareau has been trying to rekindle the romance with husband Will LaMontangue.

And despite his grief, Rossi has his team around him even though all he has done is try to push them away. Even then, it’s clear the team works better together than separately. So why is their new Deputy Director, Doug Bailey, trying to destroy that?

So far, there is a lot to unpack and episode 2, “Sicarius,” does just that. Make sure to check out our recap of that episode following this one.

Let us know your thoughts on Criminal Minds: Evolution episode 1 in the comments below.

Watch Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount+ on Thursdays. For the full episode release schedule, including the hiatus break and finale date, click here.