Summary
The original CBS show has long set up Spencer Reid’s absence inCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 2. Emily Prentiss’ Behavioral Analysis Unit has been operating with a tight budget, immense pressure, and incomplete staff for the past two years. Despite that, and all the personal woes that the profilers have experienced, they still managed to be effective in their jobs. In theCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 2 finale, the bureau was able to solve the Gold Star mystery without any additional casualties, which was quite impressive.
While there’s no doubt that they can continue doing their jobs properly, it doesn’t mean that calls for notable profilers to return are stopping. This is especially the case with Matthew Gray Gubler’s Reid, who was part of the originalCriminal Mindscastand appeared in all 15 seasons of it on CBS. Sadly, he hasn’t been involved inCriminal Minds: Evolutionsince it debuted in 2022. There’s hope that he will eventually come back, with both people involved in the revival and the actor himself expressing their desire for BAU’s golden boy to reunite with the team.
Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Reveals That Spencer Reid Is On Sabbatical
Prentiss Offers A Clear Update On The BAU’s Golden Boy
There wasinitial confusion about Reid’s absence inCriminal Minds: Evolution. Some reports claimed that Gubler himself opted out of the Paramount+ project, while others shared that it was scheduling conflicts that prevented his return. Ultimately, showrunner Erica Messer cleared the air, saying that it was the latter that has been keeping the BAU’s golden boy from appearing.Gubler subsequently said he wants to return inCriminal Minds: Evolution, but the timing must work out for both parties. This is important because the actor is currently taking on many other personal projects.
Because of this, the revival kept the door open for Reid’s homecoming.Criminal Minds: Evolutionseason 1 did not share any concrete updates about where he was and what he was up to. Although the late Deputy Director Doug Bailey insinuated that he was working on a different case. In its sophomore year, the Paramount+ show finally cleared the air, withEmily Prentiss saying thatReid has actually been on sabbatical. Sadly, she didn’t share any more details about what that entailed and when he might be coming back to reclaim his spot with the BAU.
Prentiss Forced Reid To Be On Sabbatical After His Prison Stint In The Original Criminal Minds
Reid May Have Realized That There’s Life Outside The BAU
Going on a sabbatical is totally understandable for someone like Reid. Having been on the job for a decade and a half can take a toll even on the most capable profilers. Aside from all the horrible cases and terrible Unsubs that the BAU has encountered regularly, Reid himself was also at the center of some harrowing experiences while on the job inCriminal Minds. Arguably his most traumatizing ordeal was when Cat Adams framed him for murder, leading to his stint in jail. Intriguingly, however, after that, Reid wasn’t keen on taking a break.
While the BAU’s golden boy was reinstated as a full agent after clearing his name, he was mandated to take prolonged breaks — something that he didn’t want because he wanted to be with his fellow profilers. Knowing this,Prentiss arranged an FBI teaching gig for Reidwhere he would educate younger agents about profiling. Eventually, he started enjoying the matter, slowly realizing that there was life outside being a field agent.
Realizing the advantages of taking a break, it’s possible that Reid decided that it was best for him to spend more time away from being a profiler, hence hisCriminal Minds: Evolutionabsence.
This quieter life was further reinforced on Reid in theCriminal Mindsfinal seasonwhen his therapist encouraged him to spend a day that didn’t involve thinking about work. It was difficult at first, but venturing into new experiences paved the way for him to meet his latest girlfriend. Realizing the advantages of taking a break, it’s possible that Reid decided that it was best for him to spend more time away from being a profiler, hence hisCriminal Minds: Evolutionabsence.
Can Reid Still Return To The BAU In Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3?
The Door Is Open For Reid’s Return
The great thing is that it shouldn’t be difficult to reincorporate Reid back into the BAU.Messer and his team, the cast, and Gubler all want to see the genius back in the FBI, so once the schedules line up, the fan-favorite character can always pop back up inCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3. He almost appeared during the show’s sophomore year, but the dual Hollywood strikes of 2023 hindered that from happening. This time, with everyone more prepared, hopefully, Gubler can finally step back into his on-screen shoes as Reid.
Criminal Minds: Evolution
Cast
InCriminal Minds: Evolution, the FBI’s elite team of criminal profilers come up against their greatest threat yet, an UnSub who has used the pandemic to build a network of other serial killers. As the world opens back up and the network goes operational, the team must hunt them down, one murder at a time. Original cast members continuing their roles include Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster. Zach Gilford joins the dynamic cast as a recurring guest star in a season-long arc.
