Why is Spencer Reid missing on Criminal Minds season 13?

Why is Spencer Reid missing on Criminal Minds? That’s a question that we more than understand people asking. This is something that’s happened on a couple of occasions this year.

As a matter of fact, we almost wonder if you should just consider it an annual traditional that Matthew Gray Gubler tends to miss some episodes pretty early on in the run of a season. This is something that happened last year prior to the prison arc, just like this is happening year with some absences, as well.

For those who are curious, this absence is related mostly to Gubler’s contract, which enables him to do this show while also take on some other projects. He loves to play Reid on the show, but at the same exact time wants to have some other opportunities here and there. We understand that and are more than happy with it — if this arrangement enables Gubler to stick around on the show longer we’re more than fine with it in the end.

As for how Criminal Minds is choosing to write Gubler’s absence into the show, they’ve made it fairly clear: As a direct result of what he went through last season, Spencer Reid takes some time off every now and then in order to do teaching. That is where he is this week, but we figure that there is going to be an opportunity to see him at some point in the near future.

For the time being, though, don’t worry: Matthew Gray Gubler is not leaving the show. He will be sticking around in some capacity for some time to come. His season 14 status is something that will likely be revisited once you get to the end of the season — we gotta see if Criminal Minds ever is renewed for more episodes.

Related – Be sure to preview the next new installment of Criminal Minds right now!

The one thing we do know is this: Whenever Spencer is gone, he is very much missed given that he is in so many ways the heart and soul of this show. He brings so much knowledge and spirit to every case.

Update: Spencer showed up! He turns up halfway through the episode, but just in case you’re wondering about future episodes (or are seeing this article after seeing the repeat), the reasoning listed above does apply.

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