"I was just so happy": Criminal Minds: Evolution star AJ Cook lets her feelings known about the return of Matthew Gray Gubler's Spencer

Criminal Minds: Evolution welcomed back a long-missed presence in an episode filled with heartbreak and reflection.

Matthew Gray Gubler returned as Dr. Spencer Reid for a brief but deeply emotional cameo during the funeral of Will LaMontagne Jr., husband of A.J. Cook's JJ.

Sharing her reaction to the momentous reunion, Cook admitted:

"I was just so happy..."

This captured the joy of seeing Gubler back along with the BAU team after years of absence.

A heart-wrenching Criminal Minds: Evolution reunion that mattered more than words

For fans of Criminal Minds: Evolution, the return of Spencer Reid was more than just fan service - it was an emotional necessity. The show had explained Reid's absence in earlier seasons as a sabbatical, but that never erased the bond he shared with JJ and the team.

And in season 3, Reid finally makes his comeback while showing up for JJ at the funeral of Will LaMontagne Jr.

A.J. Cook, who plays JJ, reached out to Gubler herself to ask him to return for this particular episode. She opened up, saying:

"The fact that I called him and was like, ‘Hey, this is what’s happening. It would just feel really weird if Spence wasn’t there.’ And he was like, ‘Absolutely, I’ll be there."

That decision added gravity and authenticity to the scene. Reid doesn't deliver a grand dialogue, but his presence alone speaks volumes about his comeback.

Cook talked about how the show:

"...didn't need a monologue. They didn't need a bunch of dialogue. It's all in looks."

The creative choice paid off. From the moment Henry whispered:

"Told you he'd come"

To JJ's stunned but grateful:

"Spence? You came.."

Every single second was packed with meaning, and later, Spencer said:

"I'm always here for you guys..."

delivering his sole line of the episode with soft certainty.

Cook and Gubler’s off-screen friendship brought warmth to the story

Beyond the screen and the script, what truly elevated the episode was the real-life friendship between Cook and Gubler. Cook described their reunion on set as a genuine homecoming, not just for the characters but for the actors themselves.

"Loved having him on set, and I’m so grateful that he decided to come and play with us again..."

Criminal Minds: Evolution has always seen its cast members having a tight-knit chemistry, and Gubler's brief return was a reminder of that bond.

The episode acknowledged other previous characters like Morgan and Hotch through symbols like flowers. Still, Reid's in-person visit carried an emotional depth that couldn't be matched by a symbol alone.

While Gubler won't be rejoining the cast of Criminal Minds: Evolution as a regular, Cook's comments offer hope that this may not be the last time we see Spencer.

She noted how special it was to have him back and hinted that even a small appearance could have a big impact, as long as the story justifies it.

Criminal Minds: Evolution found a delicate balance in Episode 3 - grieving a beloved character while honoring the show's past.

Spencer Reid's appearance didn't need to dominate the screen; his presence alone was enough to radiate some comfort to JJ and the fans.

In just a few seconds, the show reminded fans why the bond between its characters and cast continues to resonate.

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