‘Criminal Minds’ season 12 and the mystery of Spencer’s situation
What in the world is happening with Spencer Reid on “Criminal Minds“? There are many different TV-related questions that CarterMatt has received over the course of the past several weeks, but this is one of the most-frequent ones … and we understand why for a number of different reasons.
1. The end of this past episode – We saw Spencer leave the team to go care for his mother. This is the sort of situation that makes you wonder if he could be gone from subsequent episodes much like he’s been in the past, but there’s no confirmation of that.
2. General paranoia – Given that we just lost Thomas Gibson and Shemar Moore over the course of the past year, it makes sense why there would also be some fear from fans that something is happening to yet another major character. “Is Spencer leaving the show?” is a question we get a lot.
3. Episode titles – We know that there is one coming up in the second half of the season entitled “Spencer”; the “Morgan” episode last season was the beginning of the end for Derek on the series, so it only makes some sense that there would be a little bit of fear out there about his status.
With that in mind, though, there is one thing that we’d remind you of: Having these sort of titles is not a death sentence. Penelope is still alive despite that episode so many years ago, and the same goes for JJ. Sure, those characters did go through hell, but they’re still here. Heck, even Derek is still alive and could return someday.
For a little more clarification as to Spencer’s fate, co-executive producer Harry Bring said on Twitter earlier this fall that this title was not an indictment on whether or not he will die in an upcoming episode.
The one thing to remember with Spencer’s story and where he is right now is that Jane Lynch will be returning as his mother this season. With that in mind, you can easily see his departure leading directly to her being back on the show, or the “Spencer” episode being about their relationship. There’s never been some hard-and-fast rule that says that having an episode named after you means that you are in mortal danger.
If you are a Reid fan, we understand your fears — he’s an amazing character and Matthew Gray Gubler is tremendous. So tremendous in fact that we nominated him for our annual CarterMatt Awards for underrated actor – you can vote for him at the link here. For the time being, our advice is merely to take a deep breath, and know that it doesn’t appear as though him riding off into the sunset is in the cards for at least the immediate future. There may be some other exciting things planned for the character.
Interested in getting some other news when it comes to “Criminal Minds,” be sure to head over to the link here! Also, be sure to leave us a comment below and tell us what you think is going to happen to Spencer. (Photo: CBS.)
Lima
January 2, 2017 @ 3:08 pm
People enter into argument without arguments.
They are confused because they do not believe what they are writing!
Advice!
Do not enter into argument, if you have no arguments and no proof of what you are talking about!
Lamentable!
I am not troll, as has been said.
I’m posting with my original facebook page.
On my page are my family, my friends, my work, my tastes and everything a true troll does not have.
Hugs
Cait W
January 2, 2017 @ 6:16 am
1. I apologize for taking up discussion room by engaging with those displaying troll-like behaviors. I’m done now, promise.
2. Thanks for this! People are panicking, but I just don’t see reason to. Shemar had said before he left that he was likely going to do son. As far as I know, Matthew hasn’t said anything of the sort. Given that, and Harry’s comments in response to the episode title, I think people are working themselves up for no reason.
ALTHOUGH. I am very, very concerned about Diana’s fate in the coming episodes. Not everyone has left in an episode titled after them, but the situations have rarely been what you’d call overwhelmingly happy ones. :/
Lima
January 2, 2017 @ 3:08 pm
People enter into argument without arguments.
They are confused because they do not believe what they are writing!
Advice!
Do not enter into argument, if you have no arguments and no proof of what you are talking about!
Lamentable!
I am not troll, as has been said.
I’m posting with my original facebook page.
On my page are my family, my friends, my work, my tastes and everything a true troll does not have.
Lima
January 2, 2017 @ 3:23 pm
Do you believe in Harry?
When fans asked about Thomas Gibson’s absence, he replied that everything was fine and that there had been an exchange of chairs.
Good Lucky!
Lima
December 22, 2016 @ 2:12 pm
Does not matter! For me the show ended the moment Thomas Gibson (Aaron Hotchner) left. #NoHotchNoWatch #WeSupportThomasGibson
Cait W
January 2, 2017 @ 1:13 am
If you’re not going to watch, don’t. There are still lots of great cast and crew who have been employed with this show for years. We support them, too. Complaining in spaces for other fans to enjoy will change nothing about what happened.
Lima
January 2, 2017 @ 2:05 am
Criminal minds is a matter of time to finish.
These are bad and repeated stories.
Thank the program’s low audience for producers.
They knew what was going to happen.
Who do you like the cast?
Aj, Matthew, Kirsten, Joe?
Why did the producers not give credibility to the talent of Aj, Matthew, Joe and Kirsten?
Do not they have the talent to move on?
The show is considered very expensive by CBS and ABC.
They hired 4 more actors!
Prentiss has not been part of the show since the seventh season.
In an interview she said she hates CBS.
And Prentiss comes back after saying that?
Let’s hope CBS does not end its career as well.
I believe that the series will be renewed for the 13 season, but will be equal to CSI with 7 episodes or less and still runs the risk of changing the show’s display on the day of the week.
Sorry Cinderella. Wake up!
Cait W
January 2, 2017 @ 6:09 am
It was a little difficult to decipher your word salad, but I’ll attempt to address a few points.
Thomas was put in the forefront because it was natural for him as unit chief. Mandy’s departure left folks scrambling, and the writers did what they could.(Also, calling someone “overrated” in an insult. You probably don’t want to refer to someone you support as such.)
There have indeed been many logical issues in this show, especially when it comes to the casting of female characters. This was due largely to sexism at CBS. Both AJ Cook and Paget Brewster were dismissed at will. But that was not the show’s fault. The writers did what they could.
On new characters: A. Tara was on the team well before Shemar left. That’s part of the revolving door of actresses: see Blake, Kate, Jordan, etc. But again, that’s CBS and their sexism. B. So the only characters brought on the wake of Shemar’s departure was Alvez, who was brought on before Thomas was fired. If you don’t like him, fine. If you’re not watching, you don’t need to see him. C. Prentiss was brought on to fill the role of unit chief, which needed filling. As Paget had already slated a guest starring role before Thomas was fired, she was a natural choice. D. And the newest character? I’d have preferred 7 team members over 8, but I’m willing to give him a chance.
Matthew and the other actors certainly seem happy, based on their comments on Twitter. Matthew has been given time off so he can do other things and still keep filming. As someone who follows many of the actors on social media, I know they see eachother as a family. They don’t seem bitter over their screentime, and I am mature enough to respect them. Shemar wanted to leave, and he did. If the others wanted to leave, they could. At the moment, I have no reason to think they’d want to. They haven’t said so, and they have the time between seasons to film other projects.
Paget was angry because CBS treated her terribly. She came back because she loved her family on the show. She already guest-starred before, so we know the grudge didn’t bar her ever appearing again. Her return doesn’t make her complains about CBS’s sexism any less valid.
Finally, you seem to have disliked the show for a while, And so I say, again, this is not the right place for you. The internet is a vast empire, and there are plenty of places to complain. It is completely fine to not watch. It is less fine to interject yourself into every discussion continuing fans would like to have.
If the show is renewed for a partial season and ends after that one? Fine. I am not trying to prove a point in whether it is renewed or not. The show has been on for more than a decade. Even under perfect circumstances, it would likely be cancelled soon. I’m sure the cast and crew are aware of that. I’m not trying to save their jobs or anything- I simply think rooting for the relationship they’ve had for 12 years to be brought to an end sooner than it might have to because of circumstances they had no control over and that they have been hurt by, too, is childish.
So, if what you’re looking for here is to win, then by all means, you win. The show will likely ends soon. The talented folk involved will do other things. Good for you. My point was only ever to point out that your complaints belonged elsewhere. If I cannot make myself clear, I admit defeat.
Lima
January 2, 2017 @ 1:53 pm
For Cinderella
Freedom of expression is the right of any individual to freely express opinions, ideas and personal thoughts.
It is a fundamental concept in modern democracies in which censorship has no moral support.
Freedom of expression is a human right protected by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948.
“” Every human being has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas by any means and regardless of frontiers. ”
Now tell me:
WHO DO YOU THINK IT IS? TO SAY WHAT SHOULD I WRITE.
I do not care if you like it or not.
Did not like it?
I do not care!
That’s my opinion and I express it where you see fit.
I’m not asking anyone to stop watching Criminal Minds.
This is happening naturally !!!
Hugs!
Lima
January 2, 2017 @ 4:11 am
After the departure of Mandy Patinkin immediately Thomas Gibson was overrated.
Producers, CBS, ABC relied on their talent to bring the Show forward.
After the departure of Thomas Gibson did not see anyone on the show with the ability to take the show forward?
Joe would be an excellent supervisor.
JJ who worked as public relations / media in the past would be a great supervisor.
Instead they hired Prentiss to be the supervisor.
If they wanted to put a woman in charge, just put JJ.
Even though Thomas Gibson being dismissed, I feel that the producers, CBS, ABC continue to value his talent.
We can see by hiring 3 more actors to cover the absence of Thomas Gibson and 1 actor to replace Shemar, which in my view this far from fulfilling it.
Do you think MGG happy to be supporting actor on the show that he is from the beginning? With all the talent he has? MGG can be whatever he wants … (Designer, actor, writer, director) Holywood is waiting for him.