Criminal Minds Reboot Is Trying Really Hard To Forget JJ & Reid’s Romance

The Criminal Minds reboot from Paramount+ is seemingly trying really hard to forget the divisive romantic narrative between JJ and Reid.

by ANA DUMARAOG

The Criminal Minds reboot is trying so hard to forget the divisive romantic plot line between JJ Jarreau and Spencer Reid. As two of the original cast members who stayed on the show until its end, CBS was able to fully flesh out the pair’s relationship. Both are great co-workers who eventually turned out to be best friends following years of working closely together alongside the Behavioral Analysis Unities’ (BAU) rotating staff. Towards the end of Criminal Minds’ run on network TV, however, it pulled one of the biggest plot twists on the show with the revelation that JJ was harboring romantic feelings towards Reid.

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Paramount+’s Criminal Minds: Evolution is seemingly trying everything to erase this plot point. A new report reveals that viewers will “be privy to more of her and husband Will’s home (and sex) life than ever before.” While JJ’s relationship with Will has long been a part of the Criminal Minds lore, the fact that the revival is putting a spotlight on it appears to be an attempt to totally bury her admission to having secret feelings for Reid as if it never happened. In any case, the original CBS series didn’t dwell much on it anyway, but the revelation has totally changed how JJ and Will’s marriage has been perceived.

Reid Isn’t In The Criminal Minds Reboot & It Might Be Because of JJ

Matthew Gray Gubler won’t be in the Criminal Minds reboot as he ventures out of his role on the police procedural. In terms of the narrative, however, Reid’s absence could be because of JJ

and their failed romantic plot. It’s no secret that the BAU’s boy genius also harbored secret feelings for her, but never made a move, since his coworkers was married and has kids. While Criminal Minds tried to sweep the big reveal under the rug, the confession resulted in some tension between them. Because of this, Reid may have opted to go on a leave of absence from the team, and sort out his feelings, especially as he starts a new romance.

Can Criminal Minds Still Revisit JJ & Reid’s Romance?

It’s uncertain what lies ahead for the BAU beyond the first 10 episodes of Criminal Minds: Evolution. Paramount+ has only ordered a single season of the series and depending on the reception to it, they could just order more. In any case, the Criminal Minds reboot has set up Reid’s return as it has been revealed that he remains an official member of the BAU, it just so happens that he will be sitting out their upcoming case. In the event, however, Reid returns in the potential Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2, it’s up to the creatives if they still want to revisit his divisive love line with JJ.

Considering the mixed reactions to JJ and Reid’s romance, it won’t be surprising if the police procedural totally buries it. The pair has always been great friends and co-workers, there is no need for their relationship to be complicated just because of an ill-executed narrative. In any case, the Criminal Minds reboot can fix the controversial storyline with the budding relationship between Luke Alvez and Penelope Garcia instead.

Criminal Minds: Evolution will have a two-episode premiere on November 24 on Thursday.