The sabbatical for the second season of “Evolution” was secretly set up in the original series

The original CBS show has long prepared Spencer Reid’s absence in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2. Emily Prentiss’ Behavioral Analysis Unit has had to work under tight budgets, enormous pressure and inadequate staff for the past two years. Despite all of this and all the personal problems the profilers had, they managed to do their work effectively. In the Criminal Minds: Evolution In the season two finale, the office was able to solve the Gold Star puzzle without any further casualties, which was quite impressive.

While there is no doubt that they can continue to do their job properly, that does not mean that calls for the return of big-name profilers will stop. This is especially true for Matthew Gray Gubler’s Reid, who was part of the original Criminal Minds cast and appeared in all 15 seasons on CBS. Unfortunately, he was not involved in Criminal Minds: Evolution since its premiere in 2022. There is hope that he will return at some point, as both those involved in the revival and the actor himself have expressed their desire to see BAU’s golden boy reunite with the team.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 reveals Spencer Reid is taking a sabbatical

Prentiss offers a clear update on the BAU’s Golden Boy

There was initial confusion about Reid’s absence in Criminal Minds: Evolution. Some reports claimed that Gubler himself had pulled out of the Paramount+ project, while others claimed it was scheduling conflicts that prevented his return. Ultimately, showrunner Erica Messer cleared things up, saying it was the latter that kept the BAU’s golden boy from appearing. Gubler subsequently said he wanted to return to Criminal Minds: Evolutionbut the timing has to be right for both sides. This is important because the actor is currently pursuing many other private projects.

For this reason, the resumption left the door open for Reid’s return home. Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 1 gave no concrete updates on where he was and what he was up to. Although the late Deputy Director Doug Bailey hinted that he was working on another case. In its second year, the Paramount+ show finally cleared the air, with Emily Prentiss says Reid actually took a sabbaticall. Unfortunately, she didn’t reveal any further details about what this means and when he might return to take his place at the BAU.

Prentiss forced Reid to take a sabbatical after his prison sentence in the original series “Criminal Minds”

Reid may have realized there is life outside the BAU

For someone like Reid, taking a sabbatical is entirely understandable. A decade and a half in the service can take a toll on even the most skilled profilers. Aside from all the horrific cases and terrifying strangers the BAU encounters on a regular basis, Reid himself has also been at the center of some harrowing experiences while working in Criminal MindsPerhaps his most traumatic experience was when Cat Adams framed him for murder, which led to his prison sentence. Interestingly, though, Reid wasn’t interested in taking a break after that.

Although the BAU’s golden boy was reinstated as a full-fledged agent after making amends, he was required to take extended breaks – something he did not want to do because he wanted to be with his fellow profilers. Prentiss arranged an FBI teaching assignment for Reid where he taught younger agents about profiling. Eventually he started to enjoy it and slowly realized that there was life outside of being a field agent.

This quieter life was reinforced on Reid in the Criminal Minds last season when his therapist encouraged him to have a day where he didn’t have to think about work. It was difficult at first, but daring to try new experiences paved the way for him to meet his newest girlfriend. When Reid realized the benefits of a break, it’s possible that he decided it would be best for him to spend more time away from his work as a profiler, hence his Criminal Minds: Evolution Absence.

Can Reid still return to the BAU in season 3 of Criminal Minds: Evolution?

The door for Reid’s return is open

The great thing is that it shouldn’t be difficult to integrate Reid back into the BAU. Messer and his team, the actors and Gubler want to see the genius back at the FBISo as soon as the schedules are right, the fan favorite character can appear again and again in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3. He almost appeared in the series’ second year, but the two Hollywood strikes of 2023 prevented that from happening. Hopefully this time, with everyone better prepared, Gubler can finally reprise his role as Reid on screen.