Warning: SPOILERS for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3Two decades ago, Aimee Garcia talked with ScreenRant about her new character and touched on why she thinks this series continues to perform so well.

Garcia plays Dr. Julia Ochoa, a doctor whose main role is to help Criminal Minds: Evolution’s main villain, Elias Voit (Zach Gilford), regain his memories and deal with his newfound empathy. The idea that he has empathy is a strange situation to be in, and Garcia talked about how this twist is powerful for the series as a whole. It certainly sets the tone for twists and turns that leave us excitedly waiting for the next episode and for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 19.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 Has Done Something Unexpected With Its Ultimate Villain

Giving Voit Empathy Is Something Criminal Minds Has Never Done Before

Most Criminal Minds episodes gave viewers a look at how psychopaths and sociopaths can’t change. The BAU focuses on the behavior of the killers to help track them down and figure out who they are. As everyone follows a similar pattern, profiles can be created, and those profiles are usually on the mark.

Yet a series has to adapt to survive, and that’s something Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 has done, bringing a first to the series for one of the Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 finale, he awoke from a coma with no memories and with empathy. The idea that the TBI could force empathy back into it changes the goal posts for the BAU, as they and doctors find that maybe psychopaths can be cured.

Aimee Garcia Thinks That's Exactly Why Criminal Minds Has Lasted So Long

Criminal Minds: Evolution Keeps Us On Our Toes

Garcia shared she thinks the twists and turns this show brings proves this is the reason Criminal Minds has lasted so long. While there was a break between Criminal Minds season 15 and the first season of the revival, Criminal Minds: Evolution, very little about the series as a whole has changed. It still has most of the core cast from season 15, and the location of the BAU is the same, yet, the arcs each season remain compelling.

Part of that is due to twists, with the show revealing something that we probably never thought possible. Voit’s sudden empathy is the latest of those twists, which adds a new layer of sympathy for the character. We suddenly find ourselves caring about him as the series sets up this potential redemption arc. As Garcia said, you start to question yourself as you realize you feel positive and caring emotions for a character who has been hated for the last two seasons.

I think it's done in such a way that, when you're watching Voit, you want to throw your shoe at the screen for two seasons, and then this season you want to hug him. You're like, 'Am I a monster?'

Filming Has Already Begun For Criminal Minds Season 19

Aimee Garcia Would Love To Return For More

In some exciting news, Criminal Minds: Evolution season 4 was confirmed ahead of the season 3 premiere date, which gave us some breathing room. We knew we could go into the current season without fears that there would be a cliffhanger ending that would never be explained. All the current main cast are returning, but there is no sign of Garcia yet, although she would love to return if there is room for Dr. Ochoa.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, but if I were to stay alive this season, and that's a big "if" – it is Criminal Minds – I would love for her just to be another asset to the team in whatever capacity.

In some even better news, Criminal Minds season 19 has already started filming, which is great in keeping the break for the new season to a minimum. There is nothing worse than waiting years for new episodes, as that leads to forgetting about previous arcs and even the love for the series. Something else that has kept this show going is it minimizes gaps, even when the writers and actors' strikes held production back. With some hope, Criminal Minds: Evolution season 4 will premiere in early 2026.

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