Criminal Minds: Evolution episode 4 may have just set up the return of Matthew Gray Gubler’s Dr. Spencer Reid but in the worst way possible.
Warning! Spoilers ahead for Criminal Minds: Evolution.
Dr. Spencer Reid’s return may have been already set up by Criminal Minds: Evolution but in the worst possible way. The BAU re-assembles to take on a new case hunting down Elias Voit and his network of serial criminals. Unfortunately for the unit, they have to deal with it without the team’s boy genius after Matthew Gray Gubler is unable to join due to a scheduling conflict. The good news is, the Paramount+ show is keeping the door open for Reid potentially reclaiming his old BAU spot. It may have just laid the groundwork for it, although the surrounding circumstances may not be ideal.
Not wasting any time, Criminal Minds: Evolution revealed what happened to Reid already. Deputy Director Bailey confirmed that he’s working on a different case but didn’t get into specifics about what it is about or when it will be finished. It’s an intelligent way to keep their options open about how to re-incorporate Reid into the narrative in case Gubler’s schedule finally allows him to join Criminal Minds: Evolution. In fact, they may have already set their plan in motion with regard to how it’s going to pan out.
JJ’s Situation Could Be How Reid Returns To Criminal Minds
Criminal Minds: Evolution episode 4, “Pay-Per-View” featured a last-minute reveal about Wil — JJ’s long-time husband. After a routine check-up, he found out that he may have cancer. While it’s still unconfirmed, this will expectedly impact JJ’s personal story for the rest of the Paramount+ Criminal Minds reboot. Aside from its immediate impact on her and her family, it’s also how Reid can return to Criminal Minds: Evolution. If Wil dies from cancer, it will allow the show to finally move forward with JJ and Reid’s romance that was previously set up in the original CBS series.
Even if Criminal Minds: Evolution doesn’t revisit the controversial love line, Wil’s situation could still bring Reid back. Reid and JJ have worked the longest with each other as BAU members. Aside from being co-workers, they are also best friends. It’s difficult to imagine Reid not trying to communicate and offer JJ support once he finds out what she and her family are going through. That would be a good opportunity to bring Reid back to the show even just as a guest star.
Why JJ & Reid’s Criminal Minds Romance Is So Divisive
On paper, JJ and Reid’s proposed Criminal Minds romance should have worked. Instead, however, it was divisive at best, primarily because of how it was executed. The idea came out of nowhere which made it look like it was done purely for shock value. It also didn’t look good on JJ to learn about her secret crush on Reid considering that she has been married to Wil for years, who has been nothing but devoted to her. In the end, the response from the reveal forced Criminal Minds to drop the storyline with very minimal fallout. Given this, it would be wise if Criminal Minds: Evolution doesn’t revive the narrative.
Criminal Minds: Evolution drops new episodes every Thursday on Paramount+.
