5 Ways for Criminal Minds' Spencer Reid to Come Back in Evolution Season 2
Which would you prefer?
Bring Spencer Reid back to Criminal Minds! That's the rallying cry many Criminal Minds fans have been getting behind on social media after realising that the first season of the show's reboot, titled Evolution, would not feature everyone's favourite boy genius, played by Matthew Gray Gubler.
Fortunately, even without Dr. Reid, Evolution proved compelling enough for its new network, Paramount+, to renew the show for a second season. However, fans want to see Gubler's character return to the BAU. Plot-wise, the door was never completely closed on the talented profiler.
Here are five ways Evolution could reintegrate Reid into the show without derailing the main storyline:
Reid Returns to the BAU
According to the narrative in Season 1, Reid and Daniel Henney's Matt Simmons are on a highly confidential FBI mission and can't communicate with the unit or come back immediately. Yet, aside from the actors' availability and desires, nothing prevents their mission from ending in Season 2, allowing both agents to resume their usual roles. Fans would certainly welcome this development.
Reid Joins the Gold Star Investigation
At the end of Season 1, the BAU began unravelling the enigma of Gold Star, a code name for covert activities within the FBI. Season 2 will likely focus on this mystery, and many fans speculate that Reid's special assignment might intersect with the Gold Star investigation, meaning that he might cross paths with his former colleagues.
Reid Serves as an Advisor to the BAU
If Matthew Gubler can't commit to a regular role in the series, Reid might step in as a BAU consultant, making occasional appearances to share his unparalleled insights. His exceptional skills and comprehensive knowledge would undeniably be of great help to the BAU.
Reid Becomes an Unsub
That would be a classic be-careful-what-you-wish-for scenario. Many fans would be horrified at the prospect of Reid rejoining Criminal Minds only to find himself on the wrong side of the law.
However, given Reid's past actions and the numerous physical and psychological traumas he's endured, there's potential for him to emerge as the BAU's ultimate adversary.
Reid Becomes a Victim
Killing off Reid could be the most contentious plot twist and might lead fans to renounce Evolution. However, Criminal Minds has previously utilised a similar twist with Mandy Patinkin's Jason Gideon. After an absence, Gideon was killed off, prompting the BAU to investigate his death. Making Reid a victim would surely help introduce the series' most formidable unsub.