Criminal Minds season 12 already set-up Spencer Reid's (Matthew Gray Gubler) dark UnSub theory in the upcoming revival. FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) will soon return to the small screen after Paramount+ ordered a 10-episode reboot show on the platform. Essentially functioning as Criminal Minds season 16, albeit with some slight differences from its original run on CBS, the series will see the profilers hunt down a network of UnSubs that took advantage of the coronavirus pandemic to wreak havoc. Sadly, when the BAU starts their new case, they will have to do it without the help of their golden boy, Dr. Spencer Reid.
While the majority of the Criminal Minds cast will return for the reboot, the project will see some notable absences. SSA Matt Simmons is confirmed to skip the project due to Daniel Henney's prior commitment to Amazon's Wheel of Time. Gubler's absence, on the other hand, is purely a professional choice as the actor wants to pursue other endeavors after 15 seasons of playing Reid in the procedural. It's still uncertain how their non-involvements will be addressed, but there's an ongoing theory that the reason why BAU's boy wonder is no longer with the team is because he has become an UnSuB himself.
Admittedly, it sounds ridiculous to think that Reid can be a serial killer. After all, he has devoted almost two decades of his life to being an FBI profiler. That being said, Criminal Minds season 12 has actually established that it isn't totally outside the realm of possibility. After getting framed for murder by former flame and serial killer, Cat Adams (Aubrey Plaza), Reid was temporarily incarcerated where he had to fend for himself. Despite Luke Alvez's (Adam Rodriguez) attempt to keep him safe, his refusal to play prison politics put his life in jeopardy. In order to ensure his safety, he decided to poison a group of inmates who were smuggling drugs inside the jail. While Reid's actions didn't kill anyone, that was his intention, establishing that BAU's boy wonder has the potential to be a ruthless murderer. If he gives in to these temptations, it's possible that it could fuel his desire to do it again now that he's back in the outside world.
Can Reid Actually Be An UnSub?
As one of the original characters of Criminal Minds, Reid has gone through a lot. Besides the weight of dealing with constant tragedy as a BAU profiler, the character has also had his own personal woes. At one point, Reid was struggling with drug addiction. Throughout it all, the BAU was always there to guide him. It's still unknown why he is no longer part of the team in the Criminal Minds reboot, or why he isn't involved in this latest case, at least. Regardless, isolating him from his workmates and essentially, family, could result in him treading down a dark path. Ultimately, it would be the producers and writers' decision if they want to tackle this possible plotline. Granted that it could be very stressful, if not a tad too dark even for Criminal Minds, the set-up already exists, making it easier to sell the idea of Reid being an UnSub. It would also be a creative way to explain why BAU's golden boy isn't in the revival.
If Paramount+'s Criminal Minds reboot decides to move forward with the dark Reid theory, then it's imperative that the show also brings back Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) to help with the case. He doesn't even need to be fully reinstated to the BAU, perhaps he can be there in a consulting facility. It could also be the perfect opportunity to bring back former BAU Chief, Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson), who could also help in the hunt for Reid.