Criminal Minds: Evolution S3 Ep 2 Twist: A Heartbreaking Setup for Reid’s Return?

Criminal Minds Evolution spoilers and updates reveal fans are eager for Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler) to come back, but not under the sad conditions presented by the show. Although Reid remains part of the BAU, he hasn’t appeared with the cast since the first two seasons.

JJ’s Husband Will Died Suddenly At The End Of The Most Recent Episode

The show hinted that Reid is on a break for a special task and can come back whenever he wants. Matthew Gray Gubler will be back for season 3, but his role might be shorter than fans expect—possibly just one episode, and maybe not even the whole episode.

After thinking about why Reid might return to the BAU, the shocking ending with JJ LaMontagne’s (AJ Cook) husband Will LaMontagne (Josh Stewart) dying means Reid will return for Will’s funeral.

Will died suddenly from an aneurysm caused by thyroid issues at the end of the last episode. He didn’t even get to drink his coffee or say goodbye to his wife-he had a thyroid scare before, but it seemed to be fixed by the end of season one.

Reid And JJ Were Very Close In The Early Years Of The Show

Although he shared connections with several members of the BAU, JJ and Reid, being among the youngest on the team, had a distinctive bond. Their relationship played a pivotal role in many of Reid’s standout episodes of Criminal Minds.

JJ was the sole person to refer to him as ‘Spence,’ and he was there to back her ascent from Communications Liaison to a profiler in her own right.

The series seems to be moving past the JJ-Reid romance that was present in the original, but Will’s funeral is not the appropriate moment to revisit that abandoned plotline.

It Has To Be An Emotional Reason To Bring Reid Back, As If Sicarius Wasn’t Enough

Elias Voit, known as Sicarius and portrayed by Zach Gilford, stands out as one of the most notorious serial killers the BAU has encountered, especially when considering his extensive online following.

David Rossi’s (Joe Mantegna) abduction in season 1 or Emily Prentiss’ (Paget Brewster) hostage crisis with Gold Star in season 2 weren’t compelling enough to draw Reid back from his assignment.

So it suggests that his return is driven by deep emotional ties rather than just the cases at hand.

Offering solace to JJ, his closest friend at the BAU, during her husband’s funeral emerges as a profoundly significant reason for Reid’s long-anticipated comeback.

However, because of Gubler’s commitments to a new CBS show set to premiere in the 2026-2027 season, his return will be recurring at the best.

Can Matthew Gray Gubler Even Return To The Show?

Criminal Minds: Evolution has left the door open for Reid to return anytime since he is still part of the Behavioral Analysis Unit. In the story, he is on a sabbatical and special assignment, which allows for his return.

However, Gubler’s availability is uncertain as he is set to star in the upcoming show Einstein, where he plays Albert Einstein’s great-grandson.

This role seems fitting for the actor known as Dr. Reid. CBS has delayed Einstein’s premiere to the 2026-2027 season due to a packed schedule. Although Gubler will return for season 3 of CME, he won’t be a regular cast member.

What Does Will’s Death Mean For The BAU And JJ In The Future?

JJ’s sorrow may lead her to immerse herself in work as a way to avoid confronting her sudden loss. Whether she becomes fixated on uncovering the Sicarius conspiracy or proving that Elias Voit is pretending to have retrograde amnesia, JJ faces emotional risks.

She could become not only fervent but also erratic and unstable, much like Rossi’s journey after the death of his wife, Krystall Rossi (Kristall Richards).

However, unlike Rossi, JJ has a crucial anchor in her life: her young children who still depend on her. As a single mother to her two sons, Henry and Michael LaMontagne (Mekhai Andersen, Phoenix Andersen), she faces this challenge head-on.

There Was A Season One Mention JJ’s Mother And Mother-In-Law Moved Close By

In season 1, JJ mentioned that her mother moved nearby and also talked about her mother-in-law, with whom she has a strained relationship. The series may explore more of JJ’s family life, which could help balance the ongoing Sicarius storyline as it extends into its third season.

Since JJ appears to be the central character in CME season 3, introducing more family members could aid her in coping with her loss. JJ and Will have the longest relationship in Criminal Minds, so it’s important for her to have time to mourn.

Will’s support allowed JJ to manage her challenging job while being a mother, a role she initially hesitated to embrace but eventually valued.

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