Tom Brady has partnered with food delivery company Gopuff to launch a new beverage line called Good Nut. The premium brand will offer organic coconut water drinks in a market projected to reach $11 billion by 2030.

The former NFL star praised the launch in a statement to the press and also shared details about how the beverage came together as he continues to expand his business portfolio after retirement.

Brady and instant-commerce leader Gopuff have entered the beverage market with a premium line of organic coconut water, which they announced earlier this week.

With the coconut water market expected to continue growing in the coming years, the former NFL star said the new product is something “customers would actually want to drink,” adding that the team hopes to capitalize on rising consumer demand.

“Gopuff has a unique ability to understand what consumers want and get great products into their hands in minutes,” Brady told Fox Business in an exclusive. “We had a great experience working together on GOAT Gummies, and that trust made it easy to team up again on Good Nut.”

Why Brady Embraced The Coconut Water Idea

Brady is no stranger to coconut water, which is one of the reasons the idea of launching a beverage with Gopuff came together so quickly.

“It’s something I’ve enjoyed for years, and hydration has always been an important part of my routine, during my playing career and still today,” Brady revealed.

By partnering with Gopuff, Brady said he believed they could bring something unique to the rapidly growing market while offering consumers a healthier option.

“Hydration has always been a big part of my routine, and while coconut water has been a staple for me, I knew we could take it to a completely different level by teaming up with Gopuff,” he added. “With Good Nut, we focused on keeping the ingredients simple and clean, making sure it’s exactly what I’d want in my own fridge.”

Tom Brady Says He Loves Building Brands Up

Before working on Good Nut, Brady and Gopuff collaborated on GOAT Gummies, which launched in June 2024.

The vegan snack contains “no artificial sweeteners, artificial dyes, or artificial flavors,” the former NFL star said in an interview with Forbes around the time of its launch.

Looking ahead, Brady said he is enjoying a post-football career centered on developing and growing brands.

“One of the most rewarding parts of this chapter of my life has been building brands from the ground up,” he said.

“With Good Nut, we wanted to create something fun that people would genuinely enjoy. It’s been exciting to bring that vision to life,” the retired quarterback added.

Brady Explains His Approach To Better Snacks

In his interview with Forbes, Brady also shared that the core of his collaboration with Gopuff is creating products that are both healthier and enjoyable.

He believes consumers should be able to enjoy the foods they love without feeling pressured to change their eating habits completely.

“I realize it’s always about, ‘How can we do a little bit better,” Brady said. “I don’t necessarily want people to always eat how I eat.”

“People, they like to eat the way they eat, but how can I create some things that are fun, that they’re going to enjoy, that are a little bit healthier than the things that they currently have? That’s really the impetus of what we’ve done here with this partnership with Gopuff,” the seven-time Super Bowl winner added.

Tom Brady Was Excited To Join Gopuff

As part of the partnership, Brady is expected to take a hands-on role in developing new products rather than simply serving as the brand’s celebrity face.

When he first joined forces with Gopuff, Brady expressed excitement about the opportunity and praised the company’s success as an instant-commerce platform.

“Since my first time using Gopuff, I’ve been amazed by how fast and seamless the deliveries are, offering so many different options right at your fingertips,” Brady said in a statement. “I’m excited to be working with the Gopuff team to continue to drive innovation and help create an even better experience for their customers.”

Perfectly aligned to launch the summer blockbuster season into a new millennium, Supergirl is flying into theaters soon, with House of the Dragon alum Milly Alcock setting off on an interplanetary adventure in search of her best friend, Krypto. The second feature film in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU also marks a major first for both Alcock and screenwriter Ana Nogueira, who’s already tapped for the upcoming Wonder Woman reboot. But before this highly anticipated Superman follow-up debuts, Collider’s Steven Weintraub had the chance to pick Alcock and Nogueira’s brains on Supergirl’s message to audiences and what it’s really like stepping into one of the most iconic fandoms in the world.

Directed by Craig Gillespie, Supergirl officially introduces us to the DCU’s Kara Zor-El (Alcock), Superman’s (David Corenswet) headstrong cousin, who has chosen a nomadic space-faring lifestyle, effectively distancing herself from others. She’s reckless and somewhat aimless, but when a ruthless space pirate (Matthias Schoenaerts) puts Krypto’s life in danger, Kara will have to learn to let her guard down and team up with some very unlikely companions to save his life. The movie also stars Jason Momoa as the fan-favorite bounty hunter Lobo, as well as Eve Ridley as Ruthye Marye Knoll, David Krumholtz as Zor-El, and Emily Beecham as Alura In-Ze.

Don’t miss the full conversation in the video above or the transcript below, where Alcock and Nogueira discuss the film. When asked about the importance of representation, Alcock explains that Supergirl has a universal message (“There’s so much power in vulnerability, and there’s so much strength in humanity…”) and Nogueira ties her approach to this movie with her next project, the DCU’s Wonder Woman reboot. Plus, Alcock explains how House of the Dragon helped her master a particularly challenging scene in Supergirl.

Milly Alcock Says Joining the DCU Was More Intimidating Than ‘House of the Dragon’

She shares her insight on the challenges of joining massive fandoms.

COLLIDER: Milly, I have to start with you. You’ve been part of House of the Dragon and the DCU. Which fandom felt more intimidating to step into?

MILLY ALCOCK: Ooh. I feel like DC has been quite intimidating to step into. It’s interesting when you step into a fandom because there is an element of being an actor that’s kind of exclusive to when you step into a fandom. The character doesn’t solely belong to you. The character actually kind of almost belongs to the audience, and the audience all have their own expectations and ideas of who this person is and how they present themselves, and what they look like, and all these things. Yeah, it’s different from doing a traditional job where you get to fully just be them.

Representation is incredibly important, and so many young girls and women all around are going to be inspired by Supergirl. What do you hope they take away from Kara for their lives?

ANA NOGUEIRA: I hope that they take away the idea that they can be their full, messy, authentic selves and still be heroes, that those two things don’t cancel each other out. That having struggles doesn’t mean that you can’t be a champion for somebody else.

ALCOCK: I just hope people take away from the film that there’s so much power in vulnerability and there’s so much strength in humanity. You don’t have to save the world; you can just save your own. And saving yourself sometimes is the best thing that you can do for those around you. I feel that that’s not exclusive just to girls and women. I think that that’s a universal thing. I think that despite age and gender, we all at one point have felt that within ourselves, that need to just find it okay to be who you are.

‘Supergirl’ Writer Ana Nogueira Shares a New Update on DC’s Wonder Woman Movie

She discusses the principles guiding her new script.

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

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When I put on social that I was going to be talking to the two of you, I think every single person said, “Please ask about Wonder Woman.”

NOGUEIRA: Oh, I’m sure they did.

What is it like actually writing both Supergirl and working on Wonder Woman, and what would you like to tell fans in terms of where you’re at in that script?

NOGUEIRA: I mean, there will be a little sniper dot on my head if I say too much. But I will say that, like from all of it, I try to approach every character that I write from a place of what feels is the most true to me about them. For Kara, it was this backstory that she had. I always try to come at it that way and put on some blinders, and see what the character means to me before I take them off onto the page.

‘House of the Dragon’ Prepared Milly Alcock To Become a Kryptonian

“You just really have to understand the integrity of the scene.”

Image via HBO

Without spoilers, there’s a sequence that takes place on Krypton, and I love that it’s not in English. I love that you’re asking the audience to read subtitles. Can you talk about the writing of that sequence? And as an actor, what is it like delivering dialogue that’s not native to you and having to deal with emotional stuff while speaking a foreign language?

NOGUEIRA: For me, the writing process was just a regular writing process because we had wonderful linguists translate my English into Kryptonian. I loved being able to write, though, those kinds of heightened emotional scenes that are so different from the rest of the scenes in the movie.

ALCOCK: For me, I approached it the same way I did on House of the Dragon with High Valyrian, and that is you just really have to understand the integrity of the scene in English so you know where you can go and how to play with the other actor who’s there on the day, and also really knowing their lines and what they all mean. Then, slowly but surely, you introduce the Kryptonian, and then it’s line by line by line, and then learning the other actor’s last phrase so you can react with that. It’s kind of like learning a song in another language. There becomes a natural rhythm to it, and then the emotion is just dumb luck.

NOGUEIRA: [Laughs] Yeah, it’s dumb luck what Milly does. For sure.

Supergirl flies into theaters and IMAX on June 26.

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Release Date

June 26, 2026

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110 Minutes

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If there’s one material we reach for on repeat during the summer, it’s linen. And as much as we love our linen dresses, pants, shorts, tanks and other chic summer separates, it’s breezy linen sets that have commanded our attention with their pulled-together simplicity. Truly a two-for-one deal, these one-and-done outfits have a vacation wardrobe vibe we can’t get enough of this season.

Though linen has a reputation for being on the pricier side,  we did some digging and found 17 linen-blend and linen two-piece sets that look polished, professional and far more expensive than their under-$60 price tags. We’re talking sets that span every clothing category: vest sets, roomy wide‑leg trousers, tailored shorts and breezy button‑downs that look straight out of a resort capsule wardrobe. Shop our top affordable linen sets picks below and find the summer uniforms you’ll reach for on repeat.

Loose and Breezy Linen Sets

1. Our Favorite: With nearly 20 colors to choose from, this two-piece linen-blend set is suited for quiet-luxury and loud-luxury lovers alike. With a high-rise pant and a slightly cropped tank, it nails that relaxed-but-refined look that’s everywhere right now.

2. Rich-Mom Polish: You’ll look like old money in this short‑sleeve linen shorts set. Easy to tuck in and style with statement accessories, it brings that sophisticated, summer‑in‑the‑Hamptons energy that’s hard to create on a budget.

3. Resort-Approved: We’re fully prepared to build our whole summer‑vacation wardrobe around this linen vest and pants set. With regular, short and tall fits, you’ll land the right proportions for your frame — and a guaranteed mix‑with‑anything look.

4. Belly Friendly: Trying to disguise a muffin top? Linen doesn’t always cooperate, but this linen babydoll set’s puff‑sleeve, empire‑waist top creates a flattering, forgiving shape that lets you feel confident all day long.

5. Ultra Roomy: For a guaranteed laid-back luxe look, this oversized linen set is where it’s at. The breezy duo comes with a peplum-style tank and cropped wide-leg pants that are perfect for humid days and relaxed nights.

Related: 17 Breezy Matching Sets That Pair Perfectly With Sandals — From $20

You know the summer outfit dilemma: it’s too hot for jeans, but throwing together a complete outfit feels like more work than it’s worth. That’s exactly why matching sets are the MVPs of warm-weather dressing. They look instantly put together, feel breezy in the heat and pair effortlessly with sandals, aka the one shoe you’ll […]

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6. Cinched Waist: It’s the design details — i.e., the zip‑up top and the slimming cinched waist — that sold Us on this breezy linen set. Pro tip: reviewers recommend sizing down for the most accurate fit.

7. Peek of Skin: Even those who wouldn’t dip their toes in cropped‑shirt territory won’t be able to resist this linen lounge set. With a minimal peek of skin, the figure-forgiving fit looks chic while still keeping you firmly in your comfort zone.

8. One and Done: Less is truly more with this linen-blend jumpsuit. Though not technically a set, the vacation-ready style has that cool, coordinated vibe that’s insanely easy to style.

9. Accessory Power: We’re already dreaming up all the summer outings worthy of this linen-smocked high‑waist short and roomy tank set. The luxe linen set looks stunning with everything from woven bags and strappy sandals to minimalist accessories that nail that quiet‑luxury vibe.

10. Country-Club Polish: Keep it pared down and polished in this linen button-up shirt and shorts set from Walmart. With options like black and khaki, the neutral tones make it a style you’ll reach for summer after summer.

11. Simple & Chic: For anyone who usually avoids spaghetti straps, this one’s the exception. The linen top and shorts set is a poolside‑to‑relaxed‑dinner pick that brings understated polish everywhere you go.

12. Bra-Friendly Fit: Chic with a flirty, side-slit top, this roomy linen pants set is a summer-ready staple we’ll be packing for our next getaway. The best part: you can rock a strapless bra without it peeking through thanks to the clever cut.

13. Work Ready: Designed with a pleated pant and fitted, button‑up vest, this polished linen set isn’t just something we’d wear on vacation — we’d be bold enough to rock it at the office, too.

14. Easy Everyday: For that fuss-free but still fashionable ensemble, don’t miss this drawstring-waist linen shorts set. With a cozy elastic waist, the wear-anywhere set is just as ready for school drop-offs as it is casual dinners out.

15. Lounge to Luxe: A playful-but-poised colorblock contrast makes this summer set stand out from your monochrome linen two-piece sets. Featured in stand-out hues like hunter green and wine red, it’s elevated without trying too hard.

16. Button-Up Beauty: Instead of the predictable oversized fit, this tailored linen set has a sharp, sophisticated silhouette. Reviewer tip: size up for extra ease throughout the whole outfit.

17. Make It Your Own: Made with a mix of cotton and linen, this linen‑blend shorts set is breezy and sumptuously soft. It’s perfect for those unrelenting summer days ahead, where comfort and polish are both required.

Related: 17 Linen Blend Matching Sets That Feel Like Air Conditioning for Your Body

When summer heat hits, staying cool without looking like you gave up on style can feel impossible. Heavy fabrics trap sweat, and many “breathable” options just don’t cut it. That’s where these ultra-stylish linen-blend sets on Amazon come in. After doing tons of research, I’ve rounded up cute matching options that bring old money sophistication […]

Tina Win is everywhere right now, and honestly? She deserves it.

The rising Romanian-American pop and R&B singer made her Cannes Film Festival debut this year, turned heads at the star-studded amfAR Gala alongside her best friend, actress Tara Reid, walked a Cannes red carpet in a jaw-dropping designer gown, attended one of the hottest premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival, and dropped a brand new single, all in the same stretch. If you haven’t been paying attention to Tina Win yet, now is the time.

Best Friends Do Cannes

On May 21, Win and Reid hit the 32nd amfAR Gala Cannes together at the legendary Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France. The annual event is one of the most coveted invitations during the entire Cannes Film Festival, and this year’s edition raised an incredible $20 million for HIV/AIDS research. Academy Award-winning actress Geena Davis hosted the night, with performances from Lizzo and Robbie Williams, and the guest list included Eva Longoria, Heidi Klum, and Rami Malek, among others.

Win arrived dressed in a show-stopping gown by designer Dorota Goldpoint, and by all accounts, she and Reid, who have been close friends for years, had an unforgettable night on the Riviera.

Red Carpet Ready

Win did not stop there. She also walked the Cannes red carpet for a festival premiere wearing a stunning look by acclaimed Vietnamese designer Le Thanh Hoa.

For a first-time Cannes attendee, she looked like she had been doing this for years, which, given her background working backstage at Fashion Week and interning at Allure and Cosmopolitan, maybe shouldn’t be a surprise.

New York, New Single

After the South of France, Win made her way to New York City for the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, attending the premiere of Only What We Carry dressed in a gorgeous piece by Australian luxury label Camilla. The film is one of the buzziest titles at Tribeca’s 25th anniversary edition, starring Simon Pegg, Sofia Boutella, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Quentin Tarantino, and singer Lizzy McAlpine. It was shot in just six days in Normandy with a largely improvised script, and critics have been talking about it nonstop.

And right in the middle of all the festival action, Win dropped her new single “Chaos” on May 29. The track is the latest chapter in a run that includes her debut “Try Anything” and the buzzy follow-up “How To Be Cool,” and it might be her most personal release yet. Win has always been open about the fact that her music comes from real life, describing her songs as a reflection of the chaos she has lived through, from heartbreak and survival to reinvention and freedom. The new single puts all of that front and center.

As the founder of her own independent label, Tina Win Music LLC, she owns every note of it.

One to Watch

Between the fashion, the festivals, and the music, Tina Win is building something.

And from the looks of this stretch, she is just getting started.

Shopping for swimsuits with a larger bust can feel like an endless cycle of straps that dig in, tops that shift and cups that never seem supportive enough. The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to find styles that actually work. Plenty of affordable swimsuits now offer lift, smoothing and stay-put support without sacrificing style.

Whether you’re planning a beach vacation, pool day or weekend by the lake, the right swimsuit can make all the difference. Features like adjustable straps, supportive cups and tummy-smoothing fabrics help create a comfortable fit you’ll actually want to wear. Ahead, shop 17 flattering swimsuits that deliver confidence-boosting support for under $40.

17 Large Bust-Friendly Swimsuits Lift, Smooth and Stay Put

1. Our Favorite: The knotted shoulder straps on this striped bikini set adjust to your shape, and the high-waisted bottom skims past the midsection. The blue and white stripes feel classic without trying too hard.

2. Rich-Looking: The gold U-wire on this ribbed bikini set adds shaping under the bust without an actual underwire dig. The ribbed texture and a deep V-neckline keep it looking pricier than $34.

3. Sculpting Sensation: The built-in sarong wrap on this one-piece swimsuit adds a layer of compression across the middle while looking like a separate skirt. The tummy-control lining does the smoothing work underneath.

4. Flattering Find: Slip into this blue striped one-piece for a pool day, and the contrasting top and solid bottom create a subtle hourglass effect. The cutout adds interest without showing skin you don’t want shown.

5. Designer-Looking: Gold hardware details on this swim dress elevate the whole look past its $40 price tag. The tummy-control lining smooths through the midsection without feeling like shapewear.

Related: Amazon’s New June Fashion Arrivals Are Already Going Viral — From $18

June has barely started, but Amazon shoppers are already zeroing in on this season’s biggest fashion trends. From designer-looking sandals to easy summer dresses, the newest fashion arrivals feel far more expensive than their price tags suggest. A few are already racking up attention for their trendy details and effortless summer appeal, and we’re rounding […]

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6. High-Waisted Hero: The crossover top on this striped two-piece crisscrosses at the bust for actual lift, and the ruched high-waisted bottom skims rather than clings. The ruching hides what the waistband lines reveal.

7. Coverage Champion: The front-cross design on this V-neck one-piece gives genuine bust support, and the striped top contrasts with a solid bottom for a slimming effect. The tummy control runs through the torso.

8. Ravishing Ruffles: The ruffle halter on this tankini set adds visual volume up top while the high-waisted leopard bottom does the smoothing. The halter straps tie behind the neck for adjustable support.

9. Sporty Support: The supportive top on this color-block bikini has the structure of a sports bra without looking like one. The high-waisted bottoms in contrasting colors stay put through actual swimming.

10. Stay-Put Style: The twist-front detail on this two-tone bikini adds shaping at the bust, and spaghetti straps adjust for the right fit. The high-waisted bottom holds its position when you stand up.

11. Plus Size Perfection: Pack this plus-size bikini for vacation and skip the worry about straps slipping or fabric stretching out. The ribbed texture keeps its shape swim after swim.

12. Seriously Slimming: Slip into this color-block set for a pool party and the contrasting panels do the contouring for you. There’s no suck-it-in required.

13. Poolside Pretty: Wear this V-neck one-piece for a pool day with friends where you want to feel pretty, not just covered. The ruffle adds the prettiness, and the tummy control adds the confidence.

14. Full-Coverage: Bring this floral tankini on a family vacation where you’ll be chasing kids or grandkids around the pool. Nothing shifts, nothing rides up, nothing requires constant adjusting.

15. Support Superstar: The wrap-tie front on this V-neck swimdress adjusts to fit your bust, not a standard cup size. Plus, a side cutout and tummy-control lining round out the support.

16. Poolside Hero: Slip on this V-neck swimsuit for any pool day where you want simple and reliable. No fussing with ties, no adjusting straps, just a suit that works.

17. Confidence Booster: The cross-front V-neck on this high-waisted bikini adds lift and a flattering neckline. The side-tie bottoms adjust to your actual hip measurement instead of a standard size.

Related: Forget Beige! Colorful Pants Are This Summer’s Surprise Trend

For years, summer style has been dominated by breezy beige pants in shades of white, beige and oatmeal. But Summer 2026 is looking a lot more colorful. From bold stripes to tropical prints and cheerful gingham, statement-making pants are quickly becoming the trend fashion lovers can’t stop wearing. Colorful pants do all the heavy lifting […]

Halloween is still more than four months away, but the Land of Ooo is already preparing for the spooky season. The multi-Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher Oni Press has once again partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to unleash Adventure Time‘s first-ever Halloween special, sending Jake and Finn on an eerie new adventure that leans into the darker side of their world. Spanning 48 pages, it’ll haunt comic shops at the end of September, just in time for fans to pick up the issue for the holiday. Collider is thrilled to share a first look before the special goes on sale, showing off four unique covers that reimagine the two iconic adventurers, their friends, and some scary monsters in vastly different styles.

Each of the covers for the Adventure Time: Halloween Special #1 strikes a balance between the whimsy of the beloved Cartoon Network series and the macabre. First up is art by Sesame Street comic artist Sean Dove, who draws Finn and Jake cute and determined as they trudge through a forest where horrors loom overhead, like a giant crimson centipede monster. Go Go Proton!‘s Agustin Morales, meanwhile, embraces the heroics of Adventure Time, showing our champions triumphantly standing over their defeated foes against the mouth of a cave, which calls for exploration. Taking a more folkloric approach, RWBY: Fairy Tales of Remnant artist Violet Tobacco adopts a sort of storybook style, showing the duo dressed for Trick ‘r Treat as they flee from the giant, chicken-footed hut of the Baba Yaga of Slavic legend. Last but not least is a 1:10 variant cover, created by interior artist Adam Seats, who captures just about everything this new adventure contains, from old friends like BMO to classic foes like Magic Man, and lots of treasure.

Within this special one-shot is a story penned by Jeremy Melloul of Dungeon Masters Guild fame, centering on Finn and Jake as they take on a special request for the adventurer’s guild. However, they fail to read the fine print and accidentally stumble into their most dangerous situation yet. This dungeon they’re sent to explore is unlike any other, warping them into some of its monstrous residents and pitting them against familiar faces and new enemies alike. Their only hope is to unravel its mysteries before they’re overwhelmed not just by the monsters inside, but also the beast lurking within themselves.

‘Adventure Time’s Latest On-Screen Adventure Is Almost Here

Oni Press has been taking Adventure Time to many new frontiers, from the movie theater to music-based Pride-themed trips down memory lane, well after Pendleton Ward‘s original hit wrapped up in 2018. However, Finn and Jake are also about to tread new ground on-screen too. A new prequel spin-off series titled Adventure Time: Side Quests is set to premiere on Disney+ and Hulu on June 29 and will whisk viewers back to the early days of Finn and Jake’s brotherly bond and fantastical adventures. They’ll venture all across Ooo, fighting evil, partying with cloud people, and meeting up with some old friends along the way, like Princess Bubblegum, Marceline, BMO, and the Ice King. It’s designed as a throwback to earlier seasons to get a new generation of fans invested in the champions’ lighthearted adventures while also giving old fans a chance to jump back in for more completely new whimsical fun under showrunner Nate Cash.

The Adventure Time: Halloween Special #1 goes on sale on September 30, exclusively from Oni Press. Get an exclusive look at the four unique new covers in the gallery above.

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2010 – 2018-00-00

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Cartoon Network

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It’s been a while since Criminal Minds ventured into the world of the occult, and the latest episode, Season 4, Episode 4, reminds us exactly why these episodes can be so chilling. They lead to some of the most creative and grisly MOs, making some of the most memorable scenes in the show. Alongside the gruesome case-of-the-week, this episode finally and firmly puts the season’s overarching antagonist on the BAU’s radar, as the cat and mouse chase for the Fan begins, but the case is like nothing the team has dealt with before. The Fan may just seem like another copycat killer, but with his idol alive and imprisoned, Elias Voit (Zach Gilford), the rules of the profile have changed, and the stakes have just gotten higher.

‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Season 4, Episode 4 Delivers a Fanatic Witch Hunt

Episode 4 kicks off with the graphic scene of the unsub swinging a sledgehammer onto a woman’s body while her restrained husband watches in absolute horror and grief. The unsub is screaming at them to confess to heresy as a vial of a crystalline substance hangs on his neck, creating a dismally haunting image. The BAU begins their investigation by conducting an interview with the husband, who was left alive, and finds out a few major things: the unsub waits for the children to leave the house first, the vial around his neck is salt, and he is searching for a specific confession. Prentiss (Paget Brewster) adds up the details, including the occult references, the trial-like aspects, and the violence against women, and her instincts (or as she phrases it, biases) lead her to witch hunts.

However, when the unsub strikes again, this time killing the husband and leaving the wife alive, the team finds out that the husband was having an affair — all the murder victims were. Soon enough, Rossi (Joe Mantegna) draws on his years of experience and digs out a religious manifesto used during medieval times that purported a direct correlation between infidelity and being a witch, a text with a title that roughly translates to “Hammer of Witches.” From this, the familiar sequence of the team delivering a profile ensues: a highly educated man, obsessed with this text, who looks non-threatening and has issues with infidelity. What’s more exciting and nostalgic is when Rossi uses the term “moral enforcer,” taking us back to the days when each unsub fit into different profile categories like “sexual sadist” or “angel of death.”

The final piece of this creepy puzzle slots into place when the team looks into why the unsub waits for the children to leave the house first. They eventually figure out that he is a substitute teacher who forms a connection with the children, finding out about their parents’ affairs and using his knowledge of their schedule to plan the murders. By figuring out this final connection between the victims, the team can stop the most recent attack just in time, saving the couple from the same grisly fate while the unsub is shot down by Green (Ryan-James Hatanaka). It may not be the most complex case of this season so far, but the ritualistic imagery of the unsub’s MO makes it an engaging and chilling watch.

A Budding Mentorship Evolves Between Rossi and Green in ‘Criminal Minds’

Image via Paramount

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Evolution Season 4, Episode 4, also continues J.J.’s (A.J. Cook) storyline around navigating life without her husband, and this time, she is dealing with her relationship with her firstborn son, Henry (Mekhai Anderson). Alvez (Adam Rodriguez) accidentally tells her that Henry is thinking about going to a local college instead of heading to California as he originally planned. After the case, she and Henry share ice cream and talk about the future, where she admits to being exhausted but promises to always support his dreams. The scene is slightly awkward, and the storyline feels a tad out of place, but there is something comforting about watching J.J.’s domestic life, even if Will (Josh Stewart) isn’t a part of it anymore.

This episode also delivers a relationship we haven’t had since the early seasons of Criminal Minds: mentorship. The previous one was between Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Gideon (Mandy Patinkin) during the very first season, but with Green being a rookie in the show, it provides an opportunity for the usually wry and distant Rossi to mentor someone. The show introduced the idea in the previous episode, but here, their bond is fleshed out into something less awkward and more meaningful. Rossi consistently encourages Green to voice his ideas and theories, even when he is completely off-track, allowing the rookie to “get his reps in” and learn to connect behavioral clues together. With Green’s self-doubt and eager-to-please attitude combined with Rossi’s penchant for teasing and suave, almost arrogant demeanor, it makes for playful and fun teaching scenes.

‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Officially Sets Up the Season 4 Villain

Image via Paramount

Meanwhile, Lewis (Aisha Tyler) is on her separate assignment of psychoanalyzing Voit, but things come to a halt when he shows them the pages he received from the Fan at the end of the previous episode. Lewis speaks to Voit about how he handled the podcast interview, reminding him that his “celebrity has influence,” once again tying the episode to the power of true crime in this day and age. However, Voit also has some interesting insights into the Fan, where he highlights how the meticulously created notes that were made using an authentic typewriter were the beginning of the Fan’s evolution: he hasn’t killed yet, but his homicidal fantasies and obsessiveness are depicted in how he is challenging Voit and the FBI. But things really ramp up when the Fan sends photos of a Jane Doe to the bureau.

They identify the woman as an intern named Laura who lives in Pennsylvania, and upon bringing her in, they find out that the pictures were taken by her ex-boyfriend, Lance (Connor Storrie), who started obsessively stalking her after they broke up. However, upon interrogating Lance, J.J. and Lewis determine that he cannot be the Fan since he was too volatile in his emotions and didn’t have the level of obsessive compulsion the Fan had demonstrated in his notes. Of course, the women don’t let Lance leave without sending Avez in to scare the guy into stopping his stalking activities, which turns into a fun scene of manipulation.

Upon reconvening with Voit, they determine that the pictures and the breadcrumbs to Lance were a Trojan horse. Lance was the kind of person to angrily complain about the BAU for detaining him temporarily, which would give the Fan insights into how the team operated, including their interrogation techniques and profiling process. He is trying to gather as much information as he can before striking, making him a dangerous foe who is incredibly difficult to profile at the moment. Much of this episode is simply about setting up the new “big bad,” so it somewhat plays out like a filler episode, but still incites anticipation for the rest of the season.

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Release Date

September 22, 2005

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Showrunner

Erica Messer

Directors

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Félix Enríquez Alcalá, Rob Bailey, Matthew Gray Gubler, Joe Mantegna, John Gallagher, Douglas Aarniokoski, Guy Norman Bee, Larry Teng, Nelson McCormick, Alec Smight, Charles S. Carroll, Rob Spera, Charles Haid, Diana Valentine, Rob Hardy, Tawnia McKiernan, Bethany Rooney, Karen Gaviola, Sharat Raju, Thomas Gibson, Aisha Tyler, Anna Foerster, Gloria Muzio, John Terlesky

Writers

Bruce Zimmerman, Virgil Williams, Edward Allen Bernero, Janine Sherman Barrois, Chris Mundy, Simon Mirren, Debra J. Fisher, Kimberly A. Harrison, Jay Beattie, Dan Dworkin, Karen Maser, Oanh Ly, Stephanie Sengupta, Aaron Zelman, Kirsten Vangsness, Erica Meredith, Andi Bushell, Holly Harold, Alicia Kirk, Jeff Davis, Randy Huggins, Edward Napier, Jayne A. Archer, Chikodili Agwuna

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Pros & Cons

• The episode sets the Fan up as a dangerous and unpredictable villain, drumming up anticipation.
• The central case is as chilling and fun as the show’s usual content.
• Rossi and Green’s bond is fun and nostalgic to watch.

• Most of the episode is filler and, subsequently, can feel a little random.