I Know Connor Storrie’s True Role In Criminal Minds Season 19 (It Isn’t What You Think)

Connor Storrie may just have the most pivotal role in Criminal Minds season 19. The beloved Heated Rivalry actor first appeared in “The Witching Hour” (season 19, episode 4), and his instantly unnerving Lance Kingston has loomed in every episode since. Initially, the FBI agents in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) considered Lance a prime suspect in their growing case against The Fan, an anonymous copycat trying to replicate the morbid career of Sicarius killer Elias Voit (Zach Gilford). As soon as they’d determined his innocence, however, Lance walked right into The Fan’s clutches and was held hostage for days.

Connor Storrie’s stint in Criminal Minds could have ended there, but the crime drama brilliantly turned him into a tragic plot device instead. After a live podcast recording devolved into Lance screaming out in agony at the hands of Voit’s deranged devotee, the BAU traced his location and barely managed the rescue. Though, as the other major plots in Criminal Minds season 19 begin building towards their climax, Lance Kingston’s true fate remains unresolved. Yet, based on what the series has already revealed, it’s safe to say Connor Storrie’s recurring character will have one last chance to shine very soon.

Lance Kingston Will Return In The Criminal Minds Season 19 Finale

Connor Storrie Has One More Episode In His Four-Part Stint

Last we saw Lance Kingston, he was recovering in a hospital bed as Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez) and Tara Lewis (Aisha Tyler) explained he was merely a distraction set up by The Fan. That sort of brutal honesty may have assuaged another victim’s fears, but all it seemed to do for Lance was bruise his already fragile ego. Storrie’s character was first introduced as a major narcissist who stalked his ex-girlfriend, displaying numerous traits that the BAU has used to profile countless previous unsubs. As such, Criminal Minds has already set up triggers that could push Lance past his limit.

Some netizens have posited that Lance could throw the entire FBI off-kilter by teaming up with Criminal Minds season 19’s main antagonist, but it makes far more sense for him to seek revenge against The Fan for his perceived indiscretion. Given Lance has already been established as an obsessive person who is always looking for an opportunity to assert his dominance, it would track that in his mind, taking down the killer who abducted him would be the ultimate victory. Alternatively, Lance may take a staunch defensive position, eventually succumbing to paranoia that The Fan will return for him.

Regardless of what drives Lance’s next steps, Criminal Minds has already revealed that Connor Storrie has one more episode left in his season 19 run. Furthermore, early stills released showed Lance wielding a small revolver in a seemingly abandoned warehouse. Intriguingly, the image of Storrie wielding a weapon is credited as a part of the “Special Agent Garrity” set, which would mean Lance won’t reappear until the season 19 finale. Since there are three additional episodes separating the audience from Connor Storrie’s last stand, Criminal Minds has ample time to set up a satisfying conclusion for his character.

Criminal Minds Needs A Twist To Justify Connor Storrie’s Recurring Role

Lance Has The Potential To Completely Upend The Season

While there’s no denying Connor Storrie is an incredibly magnetic performer, the hit Paramount+ series needs to take Lance’s character a little further for his four-episode run to feel deserved. So far, Lance has been a disturbing suspect and a terrifying torture victim, but there isn’t much narrative soil left to till considering he has already seemingly served his purpose in The Fan’s overarching plan. Consequently, Criminal Minds needs to have a plausible reason for Lance to show up in the climactic season finale.

There are, of course, easy explanations the show could toss out to justify Storrie’s continued presence, but it would be far more rewarding if Lance himself had some development. Since there are plenty of other subplots battling for screen time— including Criminal Minds season 19’s BAU traitor— there must be solid grounds for Lance to earn his gun and formidable grimace. Whether he becomes an antihero or full-blown killer at the eleventh hour, it’s clear Criminal Minds isn’t done with Connor Storrie yet— but what purpose Lance serves in the finale will be instrumental to season 19’s success.

Release Date

September 22, 2005

Showrunner

Erica Messer

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  Kirsten Vangsness

  Penelope Garcia

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  Matthew Gray Gubler

  Dr. Spencer Reid