Evolution 'forward' has always struck me as a weird idea.

Animals went from ocean to land because it was advantageous at that time. Later animals went from land back to ocean because  it was advantageous at that time.

Animals went from land to the air (birds) because it was advantageous at that time. Later birds went from air back to land (flightless birds) because  it was advantageous at that time.

Apes evolved to humans because it was advantageous at that time. Later humans evolved into hockey players because it was advantageous at that time.

Not everything always goes in the one direction.

(That was a long set up for a lame Canadian joke).