Spencer Reid Is Returning to 'Criminal Minds,' but I’m Not Sure That’s a Good Thing

Over the years, Criminal Minds has cycled through a range of cast members, with very few still on retainer from the early seasons. When the show was rebooted as Criminal Minds: Evolution in 2022, fan-favorites including David Rossi (Joe Mantegna), Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), Jenifer Jareau (A.J. Cook), and Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) re-appeared, but the most notable missing face was that of Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler). After two seasons of the reboot, it has been announced that Reid will be returning in Season 3 as a part of one episode. This news should have left me jumping with excitement, but to my surprise, all I felt was a slight disappointment. To preface, like everyone else, Reid is my favorite character, but there is a reason his return isn't drumming up the fanfare we would expect.