Spencer Reid’s Heartbreaking Return: What It Means for Criminal Minds: Evolution!

A heads up: This discussion contains spoilers for “Criminal Minds: Evolution” season 3, episode 3 titled “Time to Say Goodbye.” The long-awaited return of Matthew Gray Gubler as Spencer Reid was poignant but heartrending in its execution. Over the years, Reid, along with fellow profilers such as Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), Jennifer ‘JJ’ Jareau (A.J. Cook), David Rossi (Joe Mantegna) and Tara Lewis (Aisha Tyler), had confronted some of the most chilling unsubs from the original “Criminal Minds” series until its conclusion in 2020. After it was revived as “Criminal Minds: Evolution” in 2022, Reid’s presence among the FBI agents, analysts, and consultants was conspicuously missing.

Besides well-known characters such as Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner (Thomas Gibson), Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore), and Reid, the cast of characters in Criminal Minds: Evolution also included both returning and new faces, notably Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness), Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez), Tyler Green (Ryan-James Hatanaka), and Rebecca Wilson (Nicole Pacent). JJ’s spouse, Will LaMontagne (Josh Stewart), made occasional appearances during the first season. His last appearance was in “The Zookeeper,” but in the third season of Criminal Minds: Evolution, JJ’s husband collapsed and later died at the end of episode 2.

Matthew Gray Gubler Finally Returns As Reid In Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3, Episode 3

The Reunion Is Under Less-Than-Ideal Circumstances

In the grand scheme of the series, Will’s demise served as a significant turning point. However, it was also what prompted Reid’s comeback in season 3 of Criminal Minds: Evolution. Following a conversation between Emily and Penelope about the intricate funeral flowers – with each bouquet sent by Derek, Hotch, and Reid individually – it was Reid who then entered the church to comfort JJ and her two sons. Subsequently, he sat with Emily, Penelope, and Rossi, the trio with whom he had collaborated most closely during the initial 15 seasons of Criminal Minds.

As I step into the scene with a dramatic flair, I remain silent throughout the ceremony. A procession of well-wishers bid their farewells one by one until only JJ and I are left. JJ seems taken aback at my presence, and I respond, “I’ve always been here for you all.” After that, I slip away, finding my old teammates still lingering near the entrance. One by one, I share a warm embrace (and a respectful handshake for Tyler and Rebecca), and we depart together towards the cemetery. It’s only when JJ is left alone that I take her hand and guide her away.

Where Reid Has Been & What He Has Been Up To

Criminal Minds: Evolution Has Been Inconsistent In Its Lore

In the debut of Criminal Minds: Evolution, they swiftly tackled the issue known as the “Reid problem”, with previous Deputy Director Bailey (Nicholas D’Agosto) clarifying that the bureau had divided agents to solve cases more economically (“Just Getting Started”). Despite Emily, who was a Section Chief at the time, begging for his return, Bailey maintained that it would be Reid himself who decides when and if he returns to Criminal Minds‘ Behavioral Analysis Unit. Later on in season 2, episode 7 of Criminal Minds: Evolution, Emily informs Jill Gideon (Felicity Huffman) that Reid is taking a break from the FBI, which means he’s temporarily absent.

Since Reid’s special task was confidential, as Bailey himself can’t disclose details about it, it’s reasonable to conclude that Emily informed Jill he was on leave, as his real mission involves classified information. However, the plot of “Time to say Goodbye” suggests that Emily is aware of some aspects of Reid’s new team, given that his superior granted him a morning off because they had previously worked together at the State Department along with JJ. It remains uncertain whether Reid is focusing on a single criminal like BAU and Sicarius or not.

Will Reid Still Return As A Regular Member Of The BAU?

It’s Unlikely But Not Impossible

”Saying Goodbye might have hinted at a departure, but it doesn’t guarantee that Dr. Reid will rejoin the main cast of ‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’. In the storyline, Reid is currently on a special assignment, suggesting he’s working towards a major case breakthrough for the bureau. If the series ever sheds light on this secret mission, there could be a chance that Reid might reappear in the BAU, or alternatively, he may actually be taking a leave of absence based on how his undercover operation unfolds. However, there are practical constraints off-screen that are hindering Reid’s comeback.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled about Matthew Gray Gubler’s upcoming CBS series, titled “Einstein,” set to debut in the 2026-27 season. In this comedic crime procedural, I’ll be stepping into the shoes of a relative of the brilliant Albert Einstein, but my laid-back lifestyle will get me entangled with the law and ultimately lead me to team up with a detective to solve mysteries. While it shares similarities with other shows in the genre like “High Potential,” its potential is undeniable. If “Einstein” turns out to be another CBS hit, scheduling conflicts might keep me from rejoining “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” even if I harbored dreams of returning as Reid full-time.

When Gubler’s Reid Might Appear Again In Criminal Minds: Evolution

“Time to say Goodbye” Was Reid’s Only Episode This Season

While it can’t be definitively stated that Spencer Reid won’t rejoin the Behavioral Analysis Unit, his appearance at the funeral suggests JJ might maintain contact with him. The new series, “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” has been avoiding the romance between JJ and Reid that was hinted at in the original show, but if they decide to move past that, it could potentially feel awkward for Will and disrespectful. However, if the new series chooses to keep their friendship alive, JJ might just want Reid as a friend in her life.

It’s evident that the remaining BAU team members are still grieving over the absence of Reid, as demonstrated by Emily and Penelope’s conversation during the funeral. Penelope’s joy over Reid sending a text to Emily indicates he has been absent from the group for five years. It seems unusual for Reid to have cut off communication—even if he was on a different mission— but maybe this is another sign that Reid might be nearing his limit with the FBI. If he decides to leave the bureau altogether, it could lead to an intriguing plotline in “Criminal Minds: Evolution.

Just as Reid could choose a less demanding role or work as an independent contractor, allowing him to consult with the BAU without fully rejoining the team. Although fans would delight in Matthew Gray Gubler’s occasional appearances, his permanent return might disrupt everything that “Criminal Minds: Evolution” has set up so far. While Reid’s presence on the team would certainly alter their dynamics, it’s difficult to predict whether this change would be positive or negative. In short, the question of Reid’s role in “Criminal Minds: Evolution” remains unresolved and may never be completely answered.

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2025-05-22 12:09