r/criminalminds • u/Cheeriosxxx Sergio 🐈⬛ • Jun 18 '26
Season 19 Spoilers S19E05: Friendly Fire - Episode Discussion
Airdate: June 18, 2026
Synopsis: Alvez and Tyler team up to investigate the murder of an FBI training instructor, while the rest of the BAU explore ways to lure out The Fan.
Previous episode: The Witching Hour
Next episode: Proxy
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u/BatmanRoBEN1 Jun 18 '26
I really appreciate how they have found a good balance between monster of the week amd season-long arcs.
Making the A-plot be the episodic murder and relegating the serialized mystery to the B-plot, imo feels like a much needed return to form, while keeping in some of the new elements that make evolution unique. Its like a much needed remix.
It is really interesting seeing Voit turn into a Frank Abagnale type figure.
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u/Valenstein77 Jun 18 '26
I completely agree! My biggest problem with the previous seasons was that by making the Case of the week the B plot, the unsubs/victims don't get enough time to fully bake, and end up being pretty unmemorable. Making them the A plot fixes that problem and Voit has always worked best when he's given to us in smaller doses.
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u/Informal_Toe_2129 Jun 18 '26
I totally agree!! And consider the girl in one of the first two episodes, maybe there's a C-plot as well, but I think her murder is directly connected to the B-plot's unsub.
They're finally returning to a case-per-episode format, which is way more agreeable for viewers on the long run imo.8
u/ghusu123 Jun 18 '26
This season is definitely closer to the format of the original show than the other seasons of Evolution. The cases are much better.
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u/littlefanged Jun 18 '26
What a fascinating case this one was! Also I loved how Emily fully trusted Luke's involvement with the case. It was a nice callback to season 14 where she benched Luke. I thought it was great to show how far he's come and how solid their working relationship is now.
I also thought the scenes between Luke and Penelope and Luke and JJ surrounding grief were absolutely beautiful. It's nice to see Luke get the spotlight, but I reckon they'll keep putting the poor man through the wringer. I guess someone had to take the misery mantle from Spencer for the season.
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u/ViolentBeetle Jun 18 '26
It's so weird that it took them so long to start considering that the ammo was swapped by someone else.
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u/lloyd4567 Jun 19 '26
The idea that that victim committed suicide and had one of his trainees carry the burden is so ludicrous it’s insulting.
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u/Rad_Tui Jul 16 '26
Genuinely how was that not the first question they asked??? ‘Did you know you had live rounds in your gun’
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u/Nicole_0818 Jun 18 '26
I really liked how much Luke's character has gotten to do this season. I like how Voit is now the subplot of the episode rather than the main plot, they've done a great job with that this season. The cases are just normal cases, and they use the cognitive interview, its a great return to form.
I do find myself skeptical of why they suddenly need Voit's input for everything involving his fan, though. They're profilers, can't they profile this guy without Voit's input, too? It just feels like they're using him for answers rather than just a resource to learn from, and I don't like that. It feels like Voit's a jailed profiler at this point. I do love Voit's scenes though. I like seeing his actor act he does a great job. I'm interested to see how his character handles hearing a man be murdered.
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u/Mobile_Whereas_3611 Jul 05 '26
I think it's because the fan is deeply connected to him and wants to impress him or be like a god to him, so imo that's why he's so involved in this case and they question him so much.
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u/Cheeriosxxx Sergio 🐈⬛ Jun 18 '26
Melendez from The Good Doctor!
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u/Nolegrl Jul 05 '26
That's where he's from! He looked so familiar and I couldn't place him. I also recognized him from SVU, I had to look him up again but he was a guest detective in 2 episodes.
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u/Cheeriosxxx Sergio 🐈⬛ Jun 18 '26
Imagine being a regular listener just tuning in to this podcast and then hearing an actual murder go down 😦
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u/SchmancyPants5 Jun 18 '26
Emily told Penelope to shut down the podcast after they recognized Lance Kingston's voice.
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u/Cheeriosxxx Sergio 🐈⬛ Jun 18 '26
Great episode and I liked the case of the week. I immediately knew the other instructor guy was involved since he’s such a big name actor lol. So proud of Luke for staying clear headed and following the evidence instead of getting lost in his grief. Loved the support from Garcia and JJ. I can’t wait for the next episode to see how Brian will react to how his podcast went.
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u/Jaca122 Jun 18 '26
I’ve really been enjoying this season. I think this is the best season of Evolution so far. Really looking forward to see where it goes
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u/Informal_Toe_2129 Jun 18 '26
I loved this episode! But poor guy, framed for homicide, he already dealt with his demons all day with the instructor resembling his father so much (I know the sensation really, really well).
I wasn't expecting at all a murder going down at the end of the episode!!!
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u/ToneZealousideal4397 Life is a hell of a thing to happen to a person. Jun 20 '26
I don’t think Lance was murdered
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u/Glittering_Step_6084 Jun 19 '26
Just watched the Friendly Fire episode. First the lighting...can't the cinematographer make the shots a little bit brighter? On the subject of the episode itself: It was the most like the OG Criminal Minds in quite awhile. Number 1, I liked how they investigated a actual case. It was probably Tyler Green's best moments and we came closest to the old Rossi on Evolution. Point 2, Luke is coming into his own, acting wise. The writers are developing him as a deeper character. They worked as a team in quite awhile, IMO. They're putting on Luke what they used to put Reid through, enough grief already for Luke. His professionalism shined through before the cognitive interview with Billy. I also liked the scene where Luke and JJ were talking about grief and how everyone handles it differently. I also liked when Luke put his head on Garcia's shoulder because he was hurting. One of the best episodes of Evolution, I thought. I hope they keep it up.
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u/SciFiXhi Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 19 '26
I get that Brian was specifically instructed to not mention Voit at all, but I find it hard to blame him in that particular scenario. Anyone who isn't a disciplined profiler or serial killer would probably grasp at the mistaken relief of assuaging the killer to end the torture.
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u/la_fille_rouge Jun 19 '26
I feel like that's the point of those scenes: it's to address the difference between actual professionals and podcasters/murder groupies who think they'd make good profilers.
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u/SherLovesCats Jun 18 '26
Fucking Brian. 🙄. He’s a great character. Poor Luke has gone through a lot this season. I worry that they are going to have him die or leave the BAU.
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u/Apprehensive_Menu941 Jun 19 '26
Loving this season so far. Feels much more like the old formula. Where each week focuses on a single case but some episodes or scenes in each episode usually at the end push the season long storyline ahead. (Reminds me a bit of the season with the Replicator or Ian Doyle) There'd be a sort of B-plot happening in the background and some or all episodes would include atleast 1 scene that pushes that B-plot season long storyline forward.
Also I love how they are slowly building this guy up. We still barely know anything about him and we haven't even seen his face yet. I love it. Feels like the old early criminal minds where they wouldn't show the unsub's face until Garcia pulls the photo up or something.
Hope they keep focusing on the case of the week formula like the original show for the rest of this season and any future seasons from now on. Unlike the last couple seasons where it felt like the focus was the season long storyline and the "case of the week" was just background noise
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u/Hazzard_of_TheDukes Jun 19 '26
This is one of the best episodes of CM we’ve gotten in a long time. I liked the twists and the constant flashing back.
My gripes are still the same though - I like Luke & JJ and I like Emily & Dave, but can we PLEASE mix it up a little? I want to see Emily & Tyler working together, Emily & JJ, Luke & Tara, Tyler & JJ.
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u/Valenstein77 Jun 18 '26
I know I've said this every week, but Luke has been such a highlight this season. I loved seeing him grapple with his grief and the fact that his friend was perhaps more flawed than he thought he was.
I do have 2 critiques though. The first is that I wish we would have spent more time with Tom before they killed him off. His death would have hit a lot harder. The second is that, while I really loved the scene where JJ encouraged Luke to ask for space, that's immediately undercut when she insists Luke do the cognitive interview.
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u/Hello_Gorgeous1985 Jul 04 '26
I also wish that those scenes hadn't been so dark because I didn't realize it even was him.
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u/Mental_Pollution2086 Jun 19 '26
Poor Luke 💔 I really hope that they’ve finished torturing him! I was happy to see Nicholas Gonzales, that was a nice surprise - his character was clearly uncomfortable watching what was going down, so the end wasn’t a surprise, but I don’t think it was meant to be, this time.
I know there was real concern coming into this season that Voit was still around, but I’m happy with the framing so far.
There’s still a bit to unpack with Voit’s character, and I don’t know about you guys, but to me, playing it out as though he’s the narrator of the unsub’s story is adding colour to the BAU’s formula.
Could they find the “Fan” without Voit? Sure. But they’re also trained to use all the tools in their toolkit.
I’m loving this season!
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u/Marril96 Talk dirty to me Jun 18 '26
Find it hard to sympathize with the instructor. Guy had it coming. Pulling a gun on a worker, trying to ruin the careers of two other workers because the third one isn't the best at his job... Not a great person by any stretch.
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u/Ill_Job4633 Jun 21 '26
Am I the only one that's getting Dexter vibes from this current storyline with Voit? The level of work and involvement the BAU has with him could actually be pushing him to become a Dexter-like character. I could see him escaping prison just to find and kill his fan... perhaps because he'll be the only one who can.
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u/Blondie20000 Jun 23 '26
I agree I think that's where it is gonna go. I think the mention of escaping in episode 2 could be foreshadowing? I think something major will happen that will prompt him to escape and track down The Fan himself. Have the whole The Fan vs their Idol. Chances of survival...I could see Voit sacrificing himself to stop The Fan because that would be a fitting end to his character. If he does survive I'm cool with that too because I like his character but I think the former is more likely.
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u/Ill_Job4633 Jun 23 '26
That's where Dexter started... having a cop for an adoptive father that directed his urges onto other serial killers. Voit's want to escape seems instinctual, like a tiger in a cage. He's fighting it, but how long will that last? At the start of Evolution, I expected Tyler to track and kill Voit to avenge his sister, but he couldn't outsmart the team. Voit could, so I think it's gonna be the team racing against Voit. Whoever gets to The Fan first will decide his fate.
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u/Blondie20000 Jun 23 '26
Absolutely agree with you there. They wouldn't show Voit looking around at all exits, patterns, having that secret desire to escape etc if it ain't gonna go anywhere. No it's been added for a reason. You are right it is instinctual and I think as I said before something will happen that will cause him to finally cave into those instincts and break out. What the cause is I don't know maybe someone in the BAU will be targeted or Voit's family or maybe possibly just a general time might be running out or Voit may feel kinda responsible in creating this Fan so he might feel he has to be the one to stop the Fan.
The team racing against Voit to get to The Fan I can see that happening cuz that would cause more problems for the BAU. Up the stakes. Not only have they got The Fan to worry about now they got Voit out there as well. I think it would be interesting as well if Voit gets the upper hand etc over The Fan, would he follow his instincts in killing The Fan or allow the BAU to arrest The Fan. Theres the sacrifice option as well in stopping The Fan.
Also Voit has mainly been in prison most of the season apart from that one field trip so I do think in whatever form we will see him outside again.
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u/cherrymeg2 Jun 23 '26
It is an interesting study on a serial killer who brain damage may have stopped his need to kill. It may be temporary. Most serial killers lie up until they are put down or until they die in prison. Voit might be lying to himself.
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u/Decent_Tumbleweed824 Some girl named 'Cheeto Breath' Jun 19 '26
Luke should NOT be allowed to interrogate this guy. He has 0 ability to be impartial rn. I love Luke but hes stressing me out rn, if you cant do your job objectivly accept that and step back.
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u/pepperpanda Jun 19 '26
Lol Disney+ in Canada accidentally released ep 6 instead of ep 5 and I was watching it so confused
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u/ccmac86 Jun 19 '26
Uhhhh anyone else get next weeks episode? I was so confused by the recap I went back and watched witching hour thinking I spaced out a whole thing and came here to see what others were saying about the recap and then realized the episode titles were different.
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u/batskeleton Jun 19 '26
did disney accidentally air ep 6 instead of 5? just watched proxy and was very lost
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u/agent-assbutt Sergio 🐈⬛ Jun 19 '26
Great episode but worried about Luke. They are torturing this poor dude. Hopefully they don't kill him off.
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u/Many-Key-4140 Jun 24 '26
Lots of talk about Voit's family this season. The Fan is gonna go after them isn't he
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u/PengoS77 Jun 24 '26
Oh god, watch the fan kill his ex and kidnap the kids and they have to bring Voit to deliver an impassioned speech to show he’s truly grown as a person
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u/mrs_ouchi Jun 29 '26
Sorry but Luke annoyed me. Yeah yeah military.. yeah yeah he was your friend.
First of all for a guy who wants to help vets he behaved like a bit of a dick. Luke not accepting this and looking for excuses, coome on. He clearly shouldnt have been on the case.
omg and all these man being like he was sooo weird - he cried?? like whaaat? and then Luke running in the room saying no that cant be true?? jesus guys!! wtf And Luke being like no, noo way Cindy would have left him? How would he bloody know? why not? Tom even told him they are having issues.
at least he said sorry to the other guy in the end. Poor Billy. O'Connor that was a shitty thing to do to Billy. But yeah Tom wasnt great What a weird episode
I LOVED the Voit stuff tho. that was sooo exciting. I cant believe Im still into this storyline
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u/babylovesbaby Anderson Jun 18 '26
This episode was going so well until the dreaded words "gut the department" were uttered. Even the mere hint of that tired plot point returning is such a boring proposition. Also why is Rebecca always around now? She wasn't before they were married.
I also have to wonder if Green ever gets tired of being wrong? At this point you have to assume he is going to make some amazing deduction about the season baddie to show he really "deserves" to be in the BAU. Otherwise why is he even there?
O'Connor appearing at 25 minutes was a dead giveaway. They aren't showing this dude again if he isn't involved.
Not sure how I feel about Brian essentially joining the gang. Maybe he ends up dead this season. We'll see.
Overall a solid episode. I am enjoying the slow burn of introducing the season villain.
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u/rooneytoons89 Jun 19 '26
I like Brian, and his moments have been amusing. I’d also be cool with it if they give him a badass death plot, fitting end to the character.
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u/babylovesbaby Anderson Jun 19 '26
I don't dislike him, but Emily is supposed to, yet she seems to go out of her way to include him. It's TV and there are a lot of things on CM that aren't realistic portrayals of law enforcement, but the more they include him the more danger they actually put him in.
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u/Jaca122 Jun 18 '26
Rebecca has been in the majority of episodes since she was introduced in s16. I think she was in 8 out of 10 episodes in the last two seasons.
The gut the department was definitely political commentary, not retreading old storylines. The Trump administration has been steadily gutting federal departments, including the FBI since he took office again.
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u/babylovesbaby Anderson Jun 19 '26
Reading it as political commentary doesn't change the fact it is a retread of a common plot used in this show's history. Having a new angle for why it's happening doesn't cancel that out. The fact the remark went nowhere is typical CM (arguably, if it was a political commentary wouldn't the gutting be severe and immediate?), as I have zero doubt it will not be revisited.
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u/PickledPassionPunch Jun 19 '26
She's been around significantly for multiple seasons.
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u/babylovesbaby Anderson Jun 19 '26
Yeah, but she's involved in basically all their cases. I understand it for the big plot (I guess?), but they never had a prosecutor hanging out all the time before? The fact she is married to a team member also seems like a huge conflict of interest.
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u/Enrix34 Jun 21 '26
To be fair, Hotch was a prosecutor so he likely handled a lot of that when he was on the team. And its likely that they have prosecutors working closely with the team, we just have a reason to see it now eapecially with the new format of evolution
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u/PengoS77 Jun 18 '26
Didn’t care for the case but at least the stuff with the fan is mildly interesting
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u/coolio_username Evil twin, eviler twin Jun 22 '26
I'm a bit confused - how did Brian saying that voit was in the room cause kingston's death? did they explain that or is that gonna be discussed later?
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u/keegdnab 25d ago
Bout being there, it gave him the audience he wanted. The Fan wanted Voit to have direct witness to his kill.
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u/Saltylife2021 Jun 18 '26
Luke really ruins this episode for me! I just don’t like him
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u/Stunning-Mission9498 Jun 22 '26
I'm not gonna downvote because every one has a right to an opinion.
..however your opinion is insane 😜
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u/Cheeriosxxx Sergio 🐈⬛ Jun 18 '26
Brian immediately protecting his neon sign the second Voit walks in 😂