“This One Was Difficult”: Criminal Minds: Evolution Star AJ Cook On Carrying Will’s Funeral Scene

The aftermath of the death of Will in Criminal Minds: Evolution was uncharacteristically emotional, but A.J. Cook’s acting experience helped bring nuance to his funeral. Josh Stewart played Jennifer “JJ” Jareau’s partner for nearly two decades, with JJ and Will first meeting in Criminal Minds season 2. The married couple were two original characters who returned to join the Criminal Minds: Evolution cast of characters in the 2022 revival, and their relationship became an underlying plot for the first season. Surprisingly, Josh Stewart was absent for the second season entirely, and Will suddenly dies in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3.

When talking with ScreenRant, A.J. Cook described the pressure of having to be the emotional stronghold of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3, episode 3, which thoroughly explored JJ’s grief. Rather than follow the tried-and-true formula Criminal Minds perfected of balancing personal narratives with new murderous unsubs, “Time to Say Goodbye” forewent any more death, instead focusing on how Will’s passing impacted JJ. Cook’s experience in indie film and drama helped her tap into the necessary emotion, “But this one was difficult” for the actress who had to say goodbye to her long-time scene partner.

Screen Rant: This episode was so intense in a way that most Criminal Episodes aren’t. It was all down to you, especially the funeral scene. Do you find there’s extra pressure when you know that it’s you having to carry an episode and be the emotional core?

AJ Cook: Well, for an actress, especially on a show like this, we don’t always get to play the big emotions. For me, as an actress, that’s where I come from. I come from drama, indie film – drama, tears, emotion, that’s my wheelhouse. That’s what I do. And they know that about me, so I think that anytime there’s an opportunity to do that, they get excited. But this one was difficult. This one was hard because it really hit home. This was something that we never wanted to do and had to really struggle with, and, I think in turn, that made it even more real. Yeah, it was an intense one, for sure.

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What This Means For JJ’s Future In Criminal Minds: Evolution

Playing More “Big Emotions” Could Be Pivotal To Her Season 3 Storyline

Now that JJ’s impassioned monologue during Will’s funeral has aired to great acclaim, it’s possible Criminal Minds: Evolution may consider adding more emotional scenes for A.J. Cook and the rest of the ensemble cast. Cook’s prior history of nuanced, dramatic acting isn’t typically at the forefront of Criminal Minds: Evolution, simply because the crime drama doesn’t have space for the characters to lose their measured, calculated cool. However, if any character had the narrative support to deliver more stirring performances, it would be JJ— a new widow with two children to support, a high-stress job, and unresolved trauma.

In fact, JJ’s instability in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 following Will’s death is a natural progression for the character. The procedural took great measures not to rush her mourning process in “Time to Say Goodbye,” but JJ’s complex journey with grief will undoubtedly be a season-long affair, much like season 2’s Gold Star brigade or season 1’s exploration of David Rossi’s (Joe Mantegna) bereavement. As such, it’s possible A.J. Cook will get many more opportunities to make use of her dramatic acting background in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3.

Our Take On Will’s Funeral In Criminal Minds: Evolution

The Entire Episode Was A Standout

A.J. Cook’s performance throughout “Time to Say Goodbye” was some of the best acting Criminal Minds: Evolution has aired since the continuation debuted, and Will’s funeral especially was a standout scene. When a character can speak, uninterrupted, for minutes on end without losing interest, it’s a testament to great writing and great acting, both of which were present in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3, episode 3. While the crime and drama are certainly core tenets of the series, Criminal Minds: Evolution could benefit from including more personal, emotion-driven scenes every so often.