Criminal Minds: Who Made A Surprise Appearance At Will's Funeral?

The following contains spoilers from the May 22 episode of Criminal Minds: Evolution, now streaming on Paramount+.

This week on Criminal Minds: Evolution, as Special Agent JJ Jareau (played by A.J. Cook) laid husband Will LaMontagne, Jr. to rest, she felt the love from BAU colleagues past and present.

On hand for Will's funeral were, of course, longtime friends Emily, David, Penelope, Luke and Tara, plus Tyler and Rebecca. And as Emily noted to Penelope before the service began, there were flowers on the church altar from former agents Aaron Hotchner (played once upon a time by Thomas Gibson) and Derek Morgan (S.W.A.T. Exiles quarterback Shemar Moore), as well as Dr. Spencer Reid (Matthew Gray Gubler), who has been away on assignment for the revival's run.

But as JJ readied herself and her sons for the start of the service, Henry looked behind his mom and remarked, "I knew he'd come."

And sure enough, Spencer was standing in the narthex, on hand to support his very dear friend.

Gubler's cameo was oddly wordless to start, as Spence hugged JJ and the boys, and then as he sat down in a pew alongside Penelope, Emily and David. But after the service ended and JJ stood in a receiving line at the back of the church, Spence and JJ exchanged words.

"I still can't believe you made it," she said.

"I'm always here for you guys," he avowed.

Outside the church, during a small montage, Spencer properly reunited with and hugged Emily, David, Penelope, Luke and Tara, and met Tyler and Rebecca. And we saw him at the actual burial, after which he consoled JJ.

Reid was not present, though, when the team gathered at Penelope's after the service. As Emily explained to JJ, it turns out that Spencer's supervisor once worked with JJ at the State Department, so he gave Spencer the morning (but apparently only the morning) off from... well, whatever he has been up to for two-plus seasons.

Ed. Note: Matthew Gray Gubler issued a statement late Thursday, saying, "It's a joy to get to tell stories with people you love so I will always cherish any moment, big or small, that I get to hug my Criminal Minds family or slip back into my dear friend Spencer's oversized wingtips."

Read my post mortem Q&A with Criminal Minds: Evolution star A.J. Cook, where we'll talk all things JJ, Will, Linda Lavin and more, and weigh in on Will's funeral episode and MGG's return.

Want scoop on Criminal Minds, or for any other TV show? Shoot an email to InsideLine@tvline.com, and your question may be answered via Matt's Inside Line!