Warning! Spoilers ahead for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2, episode 7, “Piranha.”
Summary
Thankfully,Criminal Minds: Evolutionseason 2 finally offered a clear update about Spencer Reid’s whereabouts, but instead of being reassured about it, I can’t help but be concerned about his well-being. After a frustrating last few weeks, Emily Prentiss and her team dig deeper into the mystery of the Gold Star by examining the Behavioral Analysis Unit’s (BAU) past. Upon learning that the case may have something to do witha paper that Dave Rossi, Jason Gideon, and Jill Gideon wrote but never publishedmay have started all this commotion,Criminal Minds: Evolutionhas the chance to revisit its history.
The break in the case is exciting. As an avid fan of the originalCriminal Mindson CBS, the idea of digging into the earliest years of the BAU is a great way to connect the two shows. That said, this isn’t the biggest reveal inCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 2, episode 7, “Piranha.” Instead, it’s a brief update about what Reid is up to these days. In reality, the character’s absence is due to Matthew Gray Gubler’s scheduling conflict. Canonically, the Paramount+ has been cagey about his whereabouts. He’s still part of the BAU, but he isn’t with them.
Prentiss' Secret JJ Insult In Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Degrades Their Most Poignant Talk
After their emotional one-on-one conversation about BAU-Gate, Prentiss throws a hurtful dig at JJ in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2, episode 7.
Reid Is In Sabbatical In Criminal Minds: Evolution Season
Prentiss Confirms That Reid Is In Sabbatical
I’ve written several articles about Reid’s absence inCriminal Minds: Evolution. Like many fans, I am invested in his story and want to know when he’ll return. Admittedly, after Deputy Director Bailey hinted that he was working on a different project in season 1, I am surprised to learn from Prentiss thatReid is actually on sabbatical inCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 2. Unfortunately, that’s all she said. From a storytelling standpoint, this is a good way to keep the door open for his eventual return — once Gubler’s schedule finally lines up with filming ofCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3.
Criminal Minds History Suggests Reid Is Currently In Trouble
Reid’s Ordeal Is Mexico Is Still Very Hard To Watch
Even after surviving that ordeal, Reid was restless when he was forced to take a break from the BAU, further proving how important it is for him to contribute to the team.
Reid taking a brief break from catching bad guys shouldn’t be a bad thing. He may even desperately need it. However, all I can think of isthe last time he was on his own in Mexico, which led to his heartbreaking stint in prison. Even after surviving that ordeal, Reid was restless when he was forced to take a break from the BAU, further proving how important it is for him to contribute to the team. This is especially vital inCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 2. Working with the squad grounds him. It’s his safe place.
Reid has also repeatedly said that the BAU is his family. Sure, the work is hard, but he genuinely likes the people around him. I find it odd that he would be on sabbatical for this long. Even if he doesn’t get himself in any kind of trouble the way he did in Mexico, there’s also the chance that this is tied to his situation with his mother, Diana. Multiple times towards the end of the original show,Reid had to leave work to attend to his ailing mom. Her condition may have progressed significantly since CBS' show, hence why Reid isn’t inCriminal Minds: Evolution.
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.
