Criminal Minds Video: As JJ Seeks Help, Aimee Garcia Previews ‘Intimate' Scenes With a ‘Magical' A.J. Cook
In this Thursday's episode of Paramount+s Criminal Minds: Evolution — titled 'The Brutal Man' (as in the next UnSub discovered to be under Sicarius' sway) — JJ (played by A.J. Cook) seeks out an unorthodox sit-down with Dr. Ochoa (recurring player Aimee Garcia), after putting herself in harm's way while processing the scene of a family's murder.
More from TVLine
Casting News: Lifetime's Lucifer Reunion, Prison Break Addition and More
Shrinking Boss Bill Lawrence Tees Up Reunion With His 'Hero' Michael J. Fox, Shares Favorite Spin City Memory
Brett Goldstein Reveals How His Role in Bill Lawrence-Donald Faison Pilot 'Space Turk' (?!) Led to Ted Lasso
And man, JJ has a lot to say.
'I think that sometimes we share more with strangers than with friends and family, and the BAU is JJ's family,' Garcia observes in the TVLine video above. 'JJ is 'off her turf' in a very intimate setting, with this doctor that is very well-versed in trauma and pain and mental health, so it was a beautiful opportunity for this beloved character that is JJ to have someone who supports her. Like, 'Who guards the guards?' They're heroes [in the BAU]… but who carries them?'
'One of my favorite lines that [Julia] says is, 'The BAU is one of the most emotionally constipated groups of people' she has met, which I think is so funny because they see Hell on earth, they see the darkest sides of people,' Garcia notes. 'So I think that Dr. Julia Ochoa was in the right place at the right time,' overseeing Voit's care as she is.
The episode marks a meaningful pivot for Garcia's character, who until now has been oh-so-serious –and, frankly, a bit of an obstacle for the BAU.
'She's a doctor, she has blinders on,' Garcia says of Ochoa's cool, calm and collected approach to Voit. 'She sees Voit as a patient, unlike the BAU who sees him as a monster. So yes, this is one of my favorite episodes because A.J. is amazing and it felt like a play, and Julia gets to actually help a member of the BAU. I feel very lucky that Julia got to help a character who always has it together.
'The hardest part was not crying when A.J. was doing her scenes, because she just rips your heart out,' Garcia adds. 'She was so vulnerable and open, it was like tennis. She made it so easy.'
In venturing down this rabbit hole for one of Cook's meatiest Criminal Minds arcs ever, 'I was just there as a support system,' says Garcia. 'I said, 'Look, this is your episode, so let me know how I can be of service. I will follow your lead.' And it was so lovely. A.J. just soared. I felt like a proud sister, sitting on the other side and getting to see her magic!'
Press play above for more from Garcia, including why she sought out this atypical-for-her role, the Criminal Minds cast member she had worked with once before, and whether Dr. Ochoa might become the Harley Quinn to Voit's Joker!
Want scoop on , or for any other TV show? Shoot an email to InsideLine@tvline.com, and your question may be answered via Matt's Inside Line!
Best of TVLine
Yellowjackets' Tawny Cypress Talks Episode 4's Tai/Van Reunion: 'We're All Worried About Taissa'
Vampire Diaries Turns 10: How Real-Life Plot Twists Shaped Everything From the Love Triangle to the Final Death
Vampire Diaries' Biggest Twists Revisited (and Explained)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
'South Park' sets ratings record with Trump-skewering premiere
It's not fake news: "South Park" has scored a ratings win with its controversial Season 27 episode that skewered President Donald Trump. Paramount Global reports that the Comedy Central show had its biggest season premiere since 1999, with viewership up 68% from the previous season's premiere. The episode, titled "Sermon on the Mount," was the top show across cable on July 23. The episode reached nearly 6 million cross-platform viewers across Paramount+ and Comedy Central in the three days after it aired, according to Paramount Global. The series skyrocketed to the top of JustWatch's U.S. TV streaming charts with a 638% increase in streaming popularity in the U.S., and a 258% surge globally, compared to last season's debut. 'South Park' isn't done mocking Trump: Trailer for next episode skewers president again The satirical episode showed Trump cuddling in bed with Satan and discussing the president's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The viral episode earned the attention and the ire of the White House. Spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement to USA TODAY that "South Park" "hasn't been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention." 'South Park' will again parody President Trump in the next episode The satire isn't over. The Comedy Central show released a trailer for its next episode (airing Aug. 6), which suggests the series will continue mocking Trump. The 20-second teaser includes a shot of Trump attending a dinner, where he is sitting at a table with Satan. As a speaker is heard talking about honoring Trump's courage, the president rubs Satan's leg under the table. Satan tells him to stop. Contributing: Brendan Morrow
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
What time is 'South Park' tonight? How to watch Season 27 Episode 2
Fans of 'South Park' will be disappointed to find out that there won't be a new episode tonight. Last week's Season 27 premiere aired on July 23, 2025, and series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone didn't hold back. The episode had it all – namely President Donald Trump in a will-they-won't they relationship with Satan and calling out Paramount for its settlement with Trump and the subsequent cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.' Episode 2 was initially set to air on July 30 but was pushed to Aug. 6 for unknown reasons. This doesn't come as a surprise seeing as the premiere also got a bump from its original air date. Here's when 'South Park' Season 27, Episode 2 will air and stream. Is there a new episode of 'South Park' tonight? No, there's no new episode of "South Park" tonight. What time is 'South Park' tonight? While there's no new episode of "South Park" tonight, the show normally airs at 10 p.m. Arizona time on Wednesdays. Is 'South Park' Season 27 Episode 2 out? A new teaser trailer at revealed that "South Park" Season 27 Episode 2 will air on Aug. 6. There will be no new episode on July 30. The teaser trailer on the "South Park" X page shows Cartman imitating Charlie Kirk along with Mr. Mackey tagging along on some ICE raids and Trump still trying to win over Satan. What day do new South Park episodes come out? New episodes of "South Park" air on Wednesdays. Where can I watch Season 27 of 'South Park'? For those still clinging to cable, new episodes of "South Park" air on Comedy Central on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Arizona time. How to stream 'South Park' new season If you're more into streaming, you'll have to wait until the following day to catch it exclusively on Paramount+. and become available the next day on streaming app Paramount+. Monthly plans for Paramount+ start at $12.99. For the full breakdown of plan options, visit Subscribe to Paramount+ Meredith G. White covers entertainment, art and culture for The Arizona Republic and She writes the latest news about video games, television and best things to do in metro Phoenix. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Is there a new episode of 'South Park' tonight? How to watch
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Forbes
‘South Park' Episode Ridiculing Trump Draws 5.9 Million Viewers
Comedy Central's South Park has had a very good month, with the long-running show's Season 27 premiere drawing a total audience of 5.9 million viewers, according to Paramount, which streams the show on Comedy Central and Paramount+. It marks South Park's biggest premiere episode since 1999, fueled in part by the significant buzz the episode generated with its mockery of Donald Trump and Comedy Central's parent company, Paramount Global. In the premiere episode, titled 'Sermon on the 'Mount," Trump is seen in bed with the Devil, and wielding his power to arrest and sue his enemies. The episode is noteworthy as it comes just days after the approval of a merger between Paramount and Skydance, which South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone suggested led to a delay in the show's premiere date. Show creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker tear into the Paramount Skydance merger 'In response to the press release from Comedy Central about the change in premiere date for South Park," said a statement posted to the show's page on X, "Trey Parker and Matt Stone said – 'This merger is a s--- show and it's f---ing up South Park. We are at the studio working on new episodes and we hope the fans get to see them somehow.'' The White House was unimpressed with the Trump-focused episode, with spokesperson Taylor Rogers telling multiple outlets the show 'hasn't been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention.' The show's merciless ridicule of Trump--which included graphic taunts about the president's manhood--comes as the fallout from the $8 billion Paramount and Skydance merger included an agreement that Paramount would pay $16 million to settle a lawsuit brought by Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris and a concession that CBS install a 'bias monitor' at the network. CBS also announced it would cancel its decades-long franchise in late night, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, citing financial difficulties in continuing production of the show. The timing of the decision led many to suggest the decision to cut Colbert was likely related to the hosts frequent jokes made about the president. 'Cowardly capitulation that could set a dangerous precedent' In an interview with PBS, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the lone dissenting vote in the 2-1 FCC vote to approve the merger, described as 'cowardly capitulation that could set a dangerous precedent, reshaping the future of entertainment, while eroding the freedom of the press.' No such capitulation coming from South Park, it would seem. On the heels of its season premiere--which generated huge traffic on YouTube for its Trump segments--a trailer for the second episode shows that the show isn't done with the president just yet, showing Trump sharing a dinner with Satan, and rubbing his leg under the table.
