Summary
- Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 is highly anticipated, with all main characters from season 1 expected to return for a seamless continuation of the narrative.
- The platform change allows the show to explore darker cases and craft more elaborate mysteries, with the hunt for Elias Voit and his network of killers being gorier than previous missions.
- There are theories that Derek Morgan will return in season 2 to help the undermanned BAU, Tyler Green may be involved in the Gold Star mystery due to his military background, and Spencer Reid may finally reunite with the team, among others.
Ahead of its release, there are several interesting theories floating around about Spencer Reid's return and Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 in general. Criminal Evolution season 2 was greenlit even before the show freshman year wrapped up, hinting at Paramount+'s confidence in the project. All main characters from season 1 are expected to return for the year, which would allow for a more seamless narrative continuation, especially considering the introduction of the Gold Star mystery in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1 finale. However, there are some hypotheses that the BAU will get some new , including a couple of returning profilers.
Technically, Criminal Minds: Evolution is just a continuation of the network police procedural that ran for 15 seasons on CBS. That being said, the platform change allows it to be more creative in its storytelling. For starters, it gives the show the permission to explore darker cases, with the BAU's hunt for Elias Voit and his network of killers being arguably gorier than the team's CBS missions. Showrunner Erica Messer and her team are also crafting more elaborate mysteries. Between existing lingering plot lines and subsequent updates released since it wrapped up, there are several interesting theories about what to expect from season 2.
8 Derek Morgan Returns To Crack Gold Star In Criminal Minds Evolution Season 2
Played by Shemar Moore, Derek Morgan was part of the original cast when Criminal Minds debuted in 2005. Known for his expertise in profiling, one of the best things about the character was his strong personal relationships with his fellow BAU . So it was disappointing when Moore left Criminal Minds during season 11, forcing the series to write out the character.
Since the BAU has been undermanned in Criminal Minds: Evolution, recruiting Morgan back for season 2 will be a big help to the team. Moore's ending stint with SWAT will also allow him to easily filming for the Paramount+ project, which was the initial reason why the actor had to leave the CBS series in the first place.
7 Tyler Green Is Involved In The Gold Star Mystery
Messer has already confirmed the returns of Ryan-James Hanataka's Tyler Green in Criminal Minds season 2. The reception to the character's introduction was divisive at best, especially after he started an inappropriate affair with Penelope Garcia. Aside from his love life, however, the more interesting aspect of Green's character is his potential ties to the Gold Star mystery. The term typically has military connotations, and if Criminal Minds: Evolution is using it the same way, involving Green in it will be fairly easy, considering his history doing two tours in Afghanistan working military intelligence
6 Reid Finally Reunites With The BAU
When the BAU returned in 2022, it was missing two : Daniel Henney's Matt Simmons and Matthew Gray Gubler's Reid. While Henney's absence can be chalked to a scheduling conflict, Gubler's reasoning continues to be unclear. That being said, a recent reunion with Criminal Minds co-star Joe Mantegna has sparked rumors that he will finally appear in the revival's second year. There are several ways to bring back Reid in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2. He can simply be reintegrated into the BAU, or he can function as a consultant (if the actor can't commit to being a regular). Regardless, seeing him back will be big for the revival.
5 Will’s Health Takes A Turn For The Worse
Criminal Minds: Evolution's longer form of storytelling allows it to put additional focus on the profilers' personal lives. For JJ, that meant a health scare for her long-time husband, Will. While his cancer scare ultimately hasn't turned for the worst, Messer has warned that it isn't the end of this crisis for the LaMontagnes. This means that Will isn't fully out of the woods just yet. Depending on its story, JJ and her husband may be facing a bigger struggle in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 if Will's situation suddenly becomes worse.
4 Rossi Finally Decides To Retire
While others thrived between the CBS show and Criminal Minds: Evolution, Dave Rossi didn't. The founding BAU member was struck with a big loss when his wife, Krystall, unexpectedly died due to health reasons. When the Paramount+ show started, it was clear that Rossi was still in the middle of grieving, working long hours, and living in a hotel instead of being at home. After his near-death experience while the BAU was closing in on Voit, it was clear that Rossi was spent. Having devoted much of his life to service, being already financially stable, and desperately needing the break, Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 may see Rossi's retirement.
3 Alvez and Garcia Rekindle Their Romance
At the end of Criminal Minds season 15, Garcia left the BAU for a different job, meaning that she and Alvez were no longer working together, and were able to go on a date. Criminal Minds: Evolution revealed that they did go on a date, but it went horribly that they decided to simply drop it. As they work together again, however, it's clear that there's still attraction between them. Despite Green's return in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2, Alvez and Garcia's natural story progression is to finally be together. This will add a layer of complication to the BAU's dynamic, especially since the show hasn't had any office romance.
2 Criminal Minds Evolution Season 2 Gives The BAU New
When the BAU returned for Criminal Minds: Evolution, it was undermanned and underfunded. Initially, there was an idea that Director Deputy Bailey was sabotaging the team, but he eventually proved himself to be an ally. Considering the arrest of Voit, the FBI may be more catering to the BAU's needs as it continues operating. That includes bringing in brand-new profilers. Ideally, bringing in familiar faces such as Simmons, Reid, Morgan, and even former BAU chief Aaron Hotchner is the preferred option. However, if none of the actors are available to partake in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2, it can simply debut new SSAs.
1 Voit Gets Killed Because Of Gold Star
Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1 ended with the arrest of Voit. However, taking down Sicarius and his network of serial killers isn't the end of his story. Instead, bringing him into custody introduced a brand new mystery — Gold Star. Instead of waiting for the new year to set up the BAU's next case, Paramount+'s revival used the end of Voit's reign of terror to lay the groundwork for the profilers' next endeavors with the concept.
There hasn't been a lot of clues about what it actually is in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1, but the fact that it got Deputy Director Bailey killed means that it has major significance to the FBI. Depending on Voit's actual ties to it, people who are behind Gold Star may be dangerous enough to also kill him, considering what he knows about it.
