This favorite Criminal Minds: Evolution character might return in Season 3 (but it will be at the cost of a tragic Episode 2 death)

Criminal Minds has been a fan-favorite crime drama for nearly two decades. And now, as Criminal Minds: Evolution heads into its third season, a bittersweet rumor is sending waves through the fandom. One of the show’s most beloved characters might finally return, but only because another one could meet a tragic end in Episode 2.

Word is, Will LaMontagne Jr., JJ’s husband, might not make it past the second episode. As heartbreaking as that sounds, this loss could set the stage for someone fans have been waiting to see again: Spencer Reid. His return wouldn’t just be emotional; it would completely change the game for the BAU.

From classic Criminal Minds to Evolution

When Criminal Minds premiered back in 2005, it quickly stood out from the usual crime shows. Instead of focusing on the crimes themselves, the BAU dove deep into criminal psychology, trying to understand the why behind every crime. Over 15 seasons, fans followed the team through some of the darkest cases and some of their deepest personal struggles.

Then came Evolution, a fresh chapter on Paramount+. This new version kept the essence of the original but shifted gears. Instead of one case per episode, the BAU started hunting long-term predators, following a single, twisted case across an entire season. It’s darker, more intense, and gives way more space for the characters’ personal stories to unfold.

Reid and JJ: A bond like no other

If you’ve watched Criminal Minds, you know Spencer Reid and Jennifer JJ Jareau aren’t just colleagues. Their friendship is the kind of deep, complicated bond that doesn’t come around often. Reid, the brilliant but socially awkward genius with a photographic memory, and JJ, the fiercely empathetic agent who always puts others first, have shared one of the show’s most emotional dynamics.

There was even that unforgettable moment when JJ confessed she loved Reid, a bombshell that left both the characters and the fans trying to process what that meant. Even though they never became a couple, their connection has always been something special.

A heartbreaking twist coming?

According to a report from Screen Rant, the show might be heading for one of its most painful twists yet. Rumor has it that Will LaMontagne Jr., JJ’s rock, her partner through everything, could be killed off in Episode 2.

It wouldn’t be just for shock value. In fact, it’s a pretty common tool in TV storytelling: a devastating loss that pushes another character into action. And in this case, that push could finally bring Reid back to the team.

TV’s go-to emotional gut punch

It’s a formula that shows love to us, and fans love to hate. Killing off a beloved character to shake things up isn’t new. The Walking Dead did it with Glenn. Grey’s Anatomy broke everyone’s hearts when Derek died. It’s brutal, but it works.

For Criminal Minds, losing Will wouldn’t just break JJ. It would change the entire fabric of the BAU. And who better to come back and help pick up the pieces than Spencer Reid? His bond with JJ runs deeper than most friendships, and it’s exactly the kind of emotional pull that would bring him back into the fold.

What happens if Reid returns?

Bringing Reid back isn’t just fan service; it’s a game-changer. His absence has left a pretty big hole in Evolution. Sure, the show has thrived with its darker, serialized tone and sharper focus on character development, but let’s be honest, it hasn’t felt quite the same without him.

If the rumors are true, Reid’s return could bring a mix of comfort and fresh tension. He’d be walking back into a team forever changed, especially with JJ reeling from Will’s death. It opens up space for powerful storylines about grief, resilience, and the unbreakable bonds that hold the BAU together.

Fans are still showing up

Even without Reid, Criminal Minds: Evolution has been killing it (pun intended). Season 1 smashed viewership records on Paramount+, and the show was quickly renewed for Seasons 2 and 3.

Critics and fans alike are loving the darker edge and the deeper dive into the team’s lives. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series is holding strong with an 85% critic score and an even better 90% audience rating, proof that Criminal Minds still knows exactly how to hook viewers.

Wrapping it up

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If the rumors pan out and Will’s death becomes reality, Season 3 of Criminal Minds: Evolution could be one of the most emotionally intense yet. But as painful as that loss would be, it might just bring something fans have been waiting years for: the return of Spencer Reid.

Because that’s the thing about Criminal Minds. No matter how dark it gets, it always comes back to what’s most important: the strength of the team, the power of connection, and the fact that even in the worst moments, nobody truly faces the darkness alone.

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