Criminal Minds season 12: Will Spencer Reid in jail change him forever?

At the end of Criminal Minds season 12 last week, there was some bad news that came our way: The status of Spencer Reid in jail remains unchanged. It’s hard to imagine him as a killer after all of this time. As a matter of fact, it feels almost impossible to do so. He’s someone with such a big heart, and someone we know is capable of doing so much for so other people.

We assume that Spencer’s status is not changing in the immediate future, and with that, we have to ask the question, even if we don’t want to: Are we looking at a terrible situation for Spencer that isn’t going to be free in the near future? Is this something that we should prepare ourselves for?

Based on some current indications, that does seem to be the case. The concern that we’re starting to have here is mostly one where when he gets out, he could be broken or changed in some way. He’s someone who struggles in social situations, and he has a specific viewpoint on reality and the world that allows him to do his work and be there for other people. There have been some times in jail where it’s felt as though he’s handled this situation rather well; however, that leaves us scared that he could eventually break underneath the stress of what’s happening to him and also what could be happening coming up with his mother. There’s no escape from all of the drama in his life, and it’s probably going to be worse before it gets better.

We know that what we’d like to see from the Reid story moving forward is a low point, and then an arc where Reid can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe he comes up with a way to help himself behind bars, or maybe someone in the BAU does. Either way, we’re hoping that by the end of the season, there are opportunities for us to see him get better outside of jail — while still keeping to reality. We cannot expect the show to suddenly have Reid be a free man and 100% better by the time the story comes to an end. He’ll need time to reacclimate himself to the outside world. Fingers crossed that he’s able to do so.

What do you want to see for Spencer Reid on Criminal Minds season 12 moving forward? Do you think that he’s going to be able to be the same guy once he gets out — provided that he does? Share your thoughts in the comments! (Photo: CBS.)