Warning! Spoilers ahead for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2, episode 4.

Spencer Reid and Derek Morgan’s absence is glaring in Criminal Minds: Evolution, but instead of simply bringing them back, I’m happy that they can only come back under one condition. I can’t remember when I exactly started watching the CBS show. Out of all the police procedurals I tend to follow, Criminal Minds was definitely the gnarliest and scariest, and for someone who cannot sit through a horror movie, I am impressed that I was hooked on it. So when news about Paramount+ reviving Criminal Minds was announced, I was excited. Luckily, the reboot has been good thus far.

Being on a streaming service instead of a network allows Criminal Minds: Evolution to do things that the original show couldn’t. Somehow, everything is dialed up, including the cruelness of the unsubs and the intricacy of the cases. Emily Prentiss’ BAU remains tight, and I do not doubt that they are capable of solving any mystery that comes their way. Sometimes, however, I can’t help but miss some of the missing profilers, particularly Shemar Moore’s Derek Morgan and Matthew Gray Gubler’s Spencer Reid. The door is open for them to join the Criminal Minds: Evolution cast, but there’s a caveat.

Criminal Minds’ Reid & Morgan Returns Will Be Meaningful (If They Ever Happen)

Reid & Morgan’s Returns Will Be Worth The Wait

Moore left Criminal Minds as Morgan back in season 11, while Gubler didn’t return as Reid when the revival premiered. There was some confusion about why, but more recently, it was supposedly due to scheduling issues. Regardless, both have yet to be involved in BAU’s hunt for Gold Star. Considering that it was deemed a national security threat, I would assume that it would be the perfect opening to bring them both back to help Prentiss’ team. That said, showrunner Erica Messer has revealed that Reid and Morgan will only return to Criminal Minds: Evolution for personal reasons.

This means that they can’t use any professional circumstances to recruit them. Admittedly, this makes things trickier when it comes to crafting their comebacks, but also ensures that there’s a solid story for them. I believe this is so much better, considering that the payoff of their reunion with the rest of the squad would be more satisfying. It would also effectively highlight how tightly-knit the team is that Morgan would be willing to come out of retirement and Reid would drop whatever separate case he’s currently working on to be with their closest co-workers who have turned into family.

Reid & Morgan Should Return To Criminal Minds, But For The Right Story

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Has Some Arcs That Fit The Bill

As part of the Criminal Minds fan-base long before I started covering it, any long-time follower of the franchise would be delighted to see Reid and Morgan again. Now that Messer has revealed the circumstances in which it can happen, the Paramount+ revival can now focus on the storyline that would get them both back with the BAU. There are a couple of developing storylines in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 can potentially lead to Reid and Morgan’s desire to reunite with their old team.

Firstly, the AI deep-fake crisis that is currently haunting JJ. Like Morgan and Reid, she was also an original Criminal Minds cast member, which means that she is extremely important to them. JJ attempts to bring it up to Emily in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2, episode 4, “Kingdom of the Blind,” but amid the chaos brought by the returning CBS Criminal Minds C-list villain Brian Garrity, she isn’t able to. Secondly, the debut of Jason Gideon’s ex-wife could also draw both Reid and Morgan out, considering their history with the BAU’s co-founding father.

How Likely Is It Reid & Morgan Could Return To The Criminal Minds Franchise?

Reid & Morgan’s Returns Need To Happen At The Same Time

The good news is both Moore and Gubler have expressed their desires to come back to Criminal Minds. There were even plans of Reid being involved in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 but its delay in production due to the dual strikes of 2023 foiled that. Meanwhile, Moore has revealed that the only reason why he hasn’t returned is because he hasn’t received any invitation to do so. Considering all these, it’s safe to say that they would be game to reprise the characters once the specifics are finally sorted out.

Seeing them back via a solid narrative is great, but another important factor to consider is to make sure that they return at the same time. The pair hasn’t shared a screen since Moore left the show, which is odd, considering their close relationship. I’d be more than happy to see Reid and/or Morgan back with the BAU, but if Criminal Minds: Evolution wants to stage the best reunion in the franchise’s history, they’ll make sure that the pair would be together.