Criminal Minds: Evolution slows momentum in season 4 episode 5

At the midpoint of Season 4, Criminal Minds: Evolution has built a series of disturbing cases and an ominous setup for its season-long antagonist, the Fan. Episode 5, however, pulls the pace back just when the series needs forward motion, a concern given there are only five episodes left to balance the BAU’s fight with the Fan and other cases.

The central storyline opens like a hostage scene but turns out to be a training exercise. Agent Lowell (Xavier Jimenez) fires what should have been a blank and kills trainer Milliken (Jamison Jones), a character who previously appeared in Episode 2 and had connected with Alvez (Adam Rodriguez) through a war veteran recovery program.

Milliken’s death lands close to home for the team and raises questions about whether the shooting was accidental or something more complicated. Alvez is allowed to work the case and reacts with aggressive, defensive questioning of Lowell and witnesses, even as Green (Ryan-James Hatanaka) and JJ (A.J.

criminal minds, evolution, season 4, episode 5, bau, the fan, agent lowell, milliken, alvez, training exercise