Lucky for Criminal Minds: Evolution cast, allowing the streaming procedural to continue everything that was beloved about the Behavioral Analysis Unit's work hunting down unsubs. That it, it has a couple of profilers missing, including Matthew Gray Gubler's Spencer Reid.

It's no secret that Reid's absence haunted the first 2 seasons of Criminal Minds: Evolution. In its debut year, the late Deputy Director Doug Bailey floated the idea that he and fellow absentee, Daniel Henney's Matt Simmons were assigned elsewhere. Because of the BAU's tumultuous history with its higher-ups in the FBI, this explanation made sense. Subsequently in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2, however, Emily Prentiss officially revealed that Reid was on sabbatical. The year will finally see Gubler reprise his most popular role, but he will only appear in just 1 episode.

Why The Of Reid's Criminal Minds: Evolution Is Already Disappointing

Reid Will Only Be In One Part Of A Single Episode Of Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3

Plot specifics about Reid's role in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 are still under wraps. That being said, it has already been confirmed that he won't even be in a full episode of the procedural. Instead, he is only due to appear in one part of an outing. What brings him back to Washington DC and reunites with his fellow profilers is unknown, and considering how brief his involvement would be, it's difficult to imagine what the show is planning for it.

Regardless of the specifics, however, it's already massively disappointing that, in light of the long wait for his return, Reid will seem to only appear in a handful of scenes. The limited screentime equates to limited options for what he can do in the series. He might not even have enough time to have a one-on-one scene with all the of the BAU.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 4 Means Reid Can Return After His Season 2 Cameo

Not Even A Full Episode For Reid's Comeback Is Just Plain Wrong

The good news is that Paramount+ has already renewed Criminal Minds: Evolution season 4 before season 3 even comes out. It's a testament to the streamer's confidence in showrunner Erica Messer's work and the popularity of the profilers. Becuase what goes down in its junior year will largely depend on what goes down in the BAU's third match-up against Elias Voit. The revival's multi-season villain remains a threat, even when he is already in jail. Regardless of the narrative, however, the great thing is that Criminal Minds: Evolution still has a chance to bring back Reid after his cameo.

...the original Criminal Minds series set a precedent for this when they brought back Shemar Moore as Derek Morgan a couple of times after the actor officially exited the procedural. If his best friend can do it, so can he.

Even if the BAU's golden boy decides to finally move on from being an FBI agent — something that was floated around before his fate got an official update from Emily Prentiss, it's safe to assume that he will remain connected to his fellow profilers. Aside from being co-workers, Reid treats them as family. For what it's worth, the original Criminal Minds series set a precedent for this when they brought back Shemar Moore as Derek Morgan a couple of times after the actor officially exited the procedural. If his best friend can do it, so can he.

Reid Still Needs To Return For A Proper Reunion In Criminal Minds: Evolution

The BAU Needs 1 More Case With Reid (If He's Really Leaving)

Even though not under the best circumstances, Reid coming back in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 is still a welcome treat for anyone who has loved him in the original show. As great as the current BAU ensemble is, there's something special about the core group that fronted the CBS show for years. Being an original character, the fan-base has an extra fondness for Reid because of how much he has gone through in the decade and a half that he was in the project.

AJ Cook's Jennifer Jarreau is the only other original cast member who is still in Criminal Minds: Evolution.

However, if Criminal Minds: Evolution is really on the brink of writing out Reid, the revival needs to send him out properly. It shouldn't be done in an already time-constricted cameo or worse, off-screen. The Paramount+ series must stage a proper farewell narrative that would see him use his profiling expertise to lock up some of the most ruthless unsubs. Hopefully, Criminal Minds: Evolution can even stage a reunion between Reid and Derek before the BAU say goodbye to both of them. That way, the follow-up can also move on with their roster, and maybe even add a profiler or two.