Warning: SPOILERS for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3, episode 3, “Time to say Goodbye.“Criminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3, episode 3 was a monumental episode for many characters, but it also marked the quiet return of Matthew Gray Gubler as Spencer Reid, and that’s by design. For the 15original seasons ofCriminal Minds, Reid worked alongside special agents like Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), Jennifer “JJ” Jareau (A.J. Cook), David Rossi (Joe Mantegna), and Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez). Together, they formed theBehavioral Analysis Unit inCriminal Minds, the crime-solving team at the epicenter of the series. Over the years, however, many BAU members— like Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) and Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner (Thomas Gibson)— have left.
As a result, theCriminal Minds: Evolutioncast of charactersincluded many familiar faces but lacked a few notable names, the most obvious being Spencer Reid. In his stead,Evolutionbrought in new characters like Rebecca Wilson (Nicole Pacent), Tara Lewis’ (Aisha Tyler) girlfriend. Additionally, Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) made her return as the BAU’s technical analyst and struck an instant connection with Tyler Green (Ryan-James Hatanaka). Unfortunately,Reid’s return inCriminal Minds: Evolutionwas bittersweet, as the character was only briefly present.
Spencer Reid Only Says 1 Line In His Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 Cameo
The BAU’s Former Rambler Is Now A Man Of Few Words
Although Spencer Reid’s return was teased ahead of the season premiere, his actual appearance inCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3, episode 3was fleeting. At Will LaMontagne’s (Josh Stewart) funeral, Emily and Penelope set up Reid’s return by pointing out flower arrangements sent by former BAU members, including Hotch, Morgan, and Reid. The two have a short conversation about Reid’s limited communication, with Emily saying she’s glad she at least received a text from the doctor— who, according to Evolution, has been on a special assignment since 2020. Just then, Reid appears in the flash, making a grand entrance.
Reid enters the church to comfort JJ and her two sons before the service, silently hugging the family. Afterward, Reid joins Emily, Penelope, and Rossi on a church pew. During the funeral itself, the camera lingers on Reid sporadically throughout speeches and tributes, but it’s not until the end when he says his first (and last) words of the episode.While saying goodbye to JJ, Reid says“I’m always here for you guys.”With that, Reid makes his exit for the foreseeable future.
The Circumstances Surrounding Reid’s Return Limit His Speaking Opportunities
Will’s Funeral Wasn’t The Place For A Spectacle
While Reid’s silence was noted inCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3, episode 3, it wasn’t necessarily out of place. “Time to say Goodbye” was all about JJ navigating the days following her husband’s sudden death, dealing with her family’s grief while denying her own. She may have found a sense of stability by the end ofCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3, episode 3, butJJ needed to be the most important character in the episodefor the narrative’s full effect to hit.
If Reid had been made the sole focus during Will’s funeral and JJ’s mourning, it would’ve been disrespectful…
Will’s death setting up Reid’s return inCriminal Minds: Evolutionalready feels punishing, but if Reid had been made the sole focus during Will’s funeral and JJ’s mourning, it would’ve been disrespectful to every character involved. Admittedly, Reid could have spoken to JJ at the cemetery or appeared at the luncheon afterward. I would have settled for a blurry shot of Reid making small talk in the background, but Matthew Gray Gubler disappeared as soon as Will was in the ground.
Reid Has Never Been Good With Dealing With Big Emotions
Spencer Has Been The Most Awkward Character From Inception
Granted,Reid has never beenCriminal Minds’ most emotionally intelligent character. His high IQ and perfect memory often made him awkward in social settings, and when Reid experienced traumas, he wasn’t prepared to deal with them (using healthy coping mechanisms, at least). Many ofReid’s best episodes inCriminal Mindseven centered on his inability to process complex emotions, whether it be other characters’ feelings or his own. Every so often, Reid would make a sudden shift and relate to an unsub, victim, or coworker, but the genius often struggled to make and maintain connections based on emotional intimacy.
Criminal Minds: Evolutionis streaming on Paramount+.
From the start ofCriminal Minds, Reid’s bond with Gideon was his closest relationship, and it took years for Reid to recover from Gideon’s sudden disappearance in season 3. Later on, Reid struggles after learning of Gideon’s death, going through the motions of grief without relying on his support system. Throughout the original series, Reid underwent significant character development, but his quiet return toCriminal Minds: Evolutionmakes sense, as do the silent ways he shows support— a hug, a comforting hand on the shoulder, a nod. Reid’s return, while anticlimactic, was in character and appropriate for the occasion.
