Caution: This post contains MAJOR SPOILERS for Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3, episode 2.
Criminal Minds fans long thought there was a possibility that we might say goodbye to Will LaMontange Jr. in the wake of actor Josh Stewart leaving the show. Now it appears this has come to fruition in the second episode of season 3’s Criminal Minds: Evolution.
While the episode focused on the team looking for one of the many disciples who had followed Elias Voit’s serial killer network, JJ Jareau (AJ Cook) was preparing for her son, Michael’s, birthday. There weren’t many scenes with her family, but she mentioned Will was busy with work.
The case involved a man who was holding women hostage in his basement and essentially treating them like animals. This was also Tyler Green’s first time working as an agent, and although things didn’t go well for him when they caught their unsub, he still did a great job showing his ability to potentially move up and be an agent.
When the case was over and everyone went home, JJ saw Henry off to school before going to see Will in the kitchen. He seemed tired and complained of dizziness before collapsing to the floor.
JJ will grapple with a stunning change in her personal life going forward in Criminal Minds: Evolution
The entire team showed up to support JJ, having found out that Will suffered from an inferior thyroid aneurysm. He had originally dealt with a thyroid issue in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1. According to Rebecca and Tara, these types of aneurysms are extremely rare. Unfortunately, JJ walked into the waiting room to inform that Will didn’t make it.
This was a stunning turn of events for fans, who had hoped that he would potentially be in the background or at least mentioned, but not actually killed off. In the aftermath, we could see how JJ wrestles with now being a single mom and working for the BAU, much like her former boss Aaron Hotchner had to do when his ex-wife, Haley, was killed in the original series run.
Cast member Aisha Tyler spoke with TVLine about JJ’s loss and how she would have to “grapple” with the sudden loss of her husband while also questioning if she should return to work. Knowing the BAU, they will be sure to stand by her and make sure to support her through this traumatic time.
Is this why Spencer is back in Criminal Minds: Evolution?
We also know at some point Matthew Gray Gubler is supposed to return as Spencer Reid. He is one of JJ’s best friends and Henry’s Godfather, so it would make sense for him to return to check on them.
Was Will’s death unexpected or did we have an inkling this could happen? You never know what different shows will do. Fox’s SWAT has simply placed Shemar Moore’s character’s wife, Nichelle, in a background role so we know she is still present even if we don’t see her.
Just recently, ABC’s 911 killed off Peter Krause’s Bobby Nash in a stunning twist in a creative decision that fans are still struggling with.
Losing Will is a hard pill to swallow for fans hoping that he would just be mentioned in the background. But depending on how the show plays this out, we could really see AJ Cook shine as she plays out JJ’s devastation and growth as she works through being a mother and an FBI agent during a traumatic time in her life.
Criminal Minds: Evolution airs Thursdays on Paramount+.
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