While Dr. Spencer Reid remained a notable absence during the initial relaunch of the franchise, Matthew Gray Gubler officially returned to the BAU for a brief, highly anticipated cameo in 2025. Appearing in Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 18, Episode 3, titled “Time to Say Goodbye,” which aired May 22, 2025, Gubler reprised his role for a funeral scene, ending years of speculation regarding his involvement in the revival.
Despite this appearance, Gubler has not yet returned as a series regular. His primary commitment remains the upcoming CBS series Einstein, where he stars as the great-grandson of Albert Einstein. Production schedules for the new procedural have been a primary factor in preventing a full-time return to the Evolution cast. However, Gubler’s legacy on the show extends far beyond his performance as Reid, specifically through the 12 episodes he directed between 2010 and 2018.
Gubler’s directorial style is distinct for its “Gubler-esque” hallmarks: surrealism, stop-motion influences, and a fascination with childhood fears and puppets. Below is a definitive look at every episode he directed, ranked by their impact and his signature eerie visual style.
The Essential Gubler: The Top Tier
1. The Lesson (Season 8, Episode 10)
Widely regarded as one of the most disturbing episodes in the series’ history, “The Lesson” features an UnSub who transforms his victims into human marionettes. This episode is the purest distillation of Gubler’s aesthetic, combining theatrical whimsy with body horror in a way that remains a benchmark for the show’s darker entries.
2. Mr. Scratch (Season 10, Episode 21)
This episode introduced Peter Lewis, one of the series’ most formidable recurring villains. Gubler utilized shadow play and psychological distortion to represent “the shadow monster,” creating a hallucination-heavy narrative that fundamentally changed the trajectory of the team’s story for several seasons.
3. Mosley Lane (Season 5, Episode 16)
Gubler’s directorial debut remains one of his strongest. Dealing with a couple who had been kidnapping children for decades, the episode eschewed supernatural flair for a heartbreaking, grounded horror that focused on the trauma of lost time.
4. Lauren (Season 6, Episode 18)
A pivotal episode for the series’ overarching mythology, Gubler was entrusted with the “death” and exit of Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster). It showcased his ability to handle high-stakes character drama alongside intense action choreography.
Atmospheric Horror and Character Milestones
5. The Capilanos (Season 13, Episode 17)
Gubler leaned into coulrophobia (the fear of clowns) for this episode. By blending the “home invasion” subgenre with circus-themed horror, he created a visually arresting story that felt like a standalone horror film.
6. A Beautiful Disaster (Season 11, Episode 18)
Much like “Lauren,” this episode focused on a major character departure—this time, Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore). Gubler balanced the emotional weight of Morgan’s exit with a tense, personal hunt for the person targeting the team.
7. The Tall Man (Season 14, Episode 5)
Gubler’s final directorial credit for the original run explored urban legends and “slender man” style folklore. It allowed him to play with forest-based cinematography and the way stories morph into terrifying realities for small-town communities.
8. Heathridge Manor (Season 7, Episode 19)
Featuring guest star Robert Englund, this episode felt like a gothic horror tale. It leaned heavily into Gubler’s interest in historical occultism and Victorian-era aesthetics, though it is often remembered more for its atmosphere than its central mystery.
The Mid-Tier and Experimental Entries
9. Blood Relations (Season 9, Episode 20)
A backwoods feud story that featured a unique, almost supernatural twist at the end. While it ventured into “creature feature” territory, it showcased Gubler’s willingness to experiment with the show’s standard procedural format.
10. Alchemy (Season 8, Episode 20)
Set in a remote lodge, this episode utilized heavy dream sequences and surreal imagery. While visually distinct, the narrative is often considered less cohesive than his top-tier work.
11. Elliott’s Pond (Season 12, Episode 6)
This episode returned to the theme of missing children and urban legends, similar to “Mosley Lane.” While effective, it lacked the fresh shock value of his earlier directorial efforts.
12. Gatekeeper (Season 9, Episode 7)
A more conventional episode compared to his other work, focusing on an UnSub obsessed with protecting an apartment building. While well-executed, it features fewer of the surrealist visual flourishes that fans typically associate with a Matthew Gray Gubler-led episode.
