4 things to remember before watching Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2

Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 is fast approaching. After the return of the beloved agents of the Behavioral Analysis Unit, fans got to see the team in action as they looked for a serial killer who had created a network of serial killers. 

Even though the season was only 10 episodes and streamed on Paramount+, there was so much to unpack each week! So as we get ready for season 2, what should we remember about what happened in the first season?

The new season is set to start on Thursday, June 6 on Paramount+ with two episodes airing. We will be getting right into new episodes as they look into the elusive Gold Star that was brought up. Now what is Gold Star? This is just one of the many important points from season 1 to remember as we go into season 2. Here are the rest!

Elias Voit was the leader of the network

Beginning around the time of the pandemic, the first season followed the team as they looked for an unknown serial killer who had created a network of serial killers. Eventually, the team would hone in on a suspect named Elias Voit (Zach Gilford), an unassuming man who had a wife and two daughters. 

He was able to manipulate his family into believing he had done nothing wrong, despite evidence that he was hiding something from them. He also appears to know something about the FBI that made them want to strike a deal with him. Voit will be in season 2 as well, likely attempting to play more mind games with the FBI.

The team is looking into Gold Star

For this season, the big mystery will be learning about Gold Star. It’s a mysterious entity that appeared to bother then Deputy Director Doug Bailey (Nicholas D’Agosto), who lost his life after going up against Voit in an effort to bring him in so they could rescue Dave Rossi after he had been captured.  The mention of Gold Star was enough for the Attorney General to attempt to make a deal with Voit, along with Prosecutor Rebecca Wilson.

Tyler Green played a key role in the search for Voit

Tyler Green (Ryan-James Hatanaka) is the brother of Elias Voit’s ex-girlfriend, who had gone missing years before the serial killer murders began. Penelope Garcia began a relationship with him, despite the inappropriate nature of their romance that could have affected the case. He will be returning in season 2 as an informant. In the first season when he appeared, he had infiltrated the network in order to find the man responsible for killing his sister.

Matthew Gray Gubler and Daniel Henney did not appear in season one

Unfortunately for many fans, two BAU agents were missing from Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1. This was mainly due to scheduling issues and this is still the case for the second season. With Henney being on another series, The Wheel of Time, and Gubler taking on other projects, the timing along with the strikes last fall prevented them from returning. However, showrunner Erica Messer said in an nterview, “this home is always there for them. We’d love to make it happen.”

So how were their absences explained in the first season? They were said to be on a special assignment, but it was never presented due to the classified nature. However, with the hopes that the show will continue, there is always hope we will get to see Agents Spencer Reid and Matt Simmons on the series again!

We’re so excited for the return of Criminal Minds: Evolution and finding out the answers to the burning questions season 1 left us with. Make sure to keep an eye on Hidden Remote for recaps, updates, and more!

Watch Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount+ beginning on June 6.