The original CBS show has long set up Spencer Reid’s absence in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 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 the Criminal Minds: Evolution season 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 original Criminal Minds cast and appeared in all 15 seasons of it on CBS. Sadly, he hasn’t been involved in Criminal Minds: Evolution since 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 was initial confusion about Reid’s absence in Criminal 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 in Criminal 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: Evolution season 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, with Emily Prentiss saying that Reid 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 in Criminal 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 Reid where 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 his Criminal Minds: Evolution absence.
This quieter life was further reinforced on Reid in the Criminal Minds final season when 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 his Criminal Minds: Evolution absence.
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 in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 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.