Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 premiere.

Spencer Reid’s continued absence becomes more preposterous as the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) delves deeper into the Gold Star mystery in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2. Played by Matthew Gray Gubler for 15 seasons in the original CBS show, the character has yet to show up in the Paramount+ revival. There have been references to him, and according to showrunner Erica Messer, Reid technically remains a member of Emily Prentiss’ team. That said, Criminal Minds: Evolution has yet to reveal what exactly is going on with him and why he isn’t with the BAU.

Behind the scenes, the reason for Reid’s Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 is due to a scheduling conflict. Despite initial reports that the actor supposedly turned down the chance to return to the hit procedural, Gubler has made it clear that he is eager to step back into the shoes of BAU’s golden boy. That’s reassuring, especially in light of Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3 already confirmed by Paramount+. That being said, as the case of Gold Star develops, the narrative of season 2 makes it painfully obvious that Reid should be with the BAU solving this case.

The Gold Star Case Demands All-Hands On Deck For The BAU

Reid And Simmons Should Be Back With The BAU If Gold Star Is A Top Priority Case

In the Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 premiere, it makes it clear that cracking the mystery of Gold Star is the top priority for the FBI, with Prentiss saying that it may be a case of national security. This explains FBI Director Ray Madison’s willingness to cater to Elias Voit’s demands, including dropping all charges on him regarding Sicarius, if it means that he can help take down what appears to be a government-trained killer who is now on a revenge mission. If this case is all that important, then there shouldn’t be any excuse not to bring back Reid.

Based on what’s revealed by Deputy Director Bailey in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1, Reid and Matt Simmons are sent by the agency to work on something else. However, if Madison himself is overseeing the Gold Star case, then it’s safe to say that it is the FBI’s biggest case right now. If he wants to solve it right away, he should give the BAU all the resources they need, including returning their two vital agents. Otherwise, Criminal Minds: Evolution needs to make it clear that what Reid and Simmons are handling is more important.

How Reid Can Help BAU Resolve The Gold Star Mystery More Quickly?

Reid’s Eidetic Memory And Vast Knowledge Can Come In Handy In Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2

Criminal Minds has long proved that the BAU can function without Reid. However, it doesn’t mean that he won’t be highly valuable in solving the Gold Star case. As a genius with eidetic memory, Reid can easily pick up information that would otherwise take the group longer to crack, and since the profilers are racing against time in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2, the team’s pretty boy could be a big help. The team has been operating understaffed for a while. They did bring in Tyler Green for his expertise, but it’s safe to say that he can’t replace Reid.