The Reid Scene On Criminal Minds That Went Too Far

"Criminal Minds," the hit crime drama on CBS that finished out a 15 season run in 2020, features many memorable moments with the Behavioral Analysis Unit of the FBI. Starring Shemar Moore as Derek Morgan, A.J. Cook as Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss, and many more, the series has a monumental fanbase, and with good reason. Throughout the show's 15 seasons, the skilled group of profilers track down various unsubs around the country, risking their own lives to save others.

One of the most loved characters on the show is definitely Dr. Spencer Reid, played by Matthew Gray Gubler. The youngest member of the team, Reid is a certified genius who specializes in analyzing the pathology of the killers they track down. Despite his successful career and renown in his field of work, Reid suffers quite a bit in his personal life. Over the course of the show's many episodes, Reid is kidnapped and tortured, deals with drug addiction, and has to take care of his schizophrenic mother all on his own. Many of these storylines add to the character, giving Reid more depth and strengthening his relationships with his team members.

But there are some storylines that are too unbelievable or questionable for even "Criminal Minds," a show known for its intense plots and crazy antagonists. So what Reid scene is simply too much for viewers to accept?

Played by the wonderful Aubrey Plaza, there's a lot to like about Cat Adams. She's conniving, witty, and is obsessed with Reid, which is understandable. When she is introduced to "Criminal Minds" in Season 11, episode 11, "Entropy," Cat is a hired killer who Reid is able to outsmart and arrest. The two have an entertaining rapport, and despite successfully tricking her in the end, Cat is a great match for the FBI profiler, able to go toe-to-toe with Reid. But even as a villain, there are aspects of Cat's story that cross the line into the unacceptable.

After her arrest, Cat is determined to get revenge on Reid. Returning in Season 12, Cat works with Lindsey Vaughn (Gia Mantegna) to frame Reid for murder, but that's not what's problematic. During his time in Mexico, Lindsey drugs and manipulates Reid, leaving him with little memory of what really happened. So when Reid and Cat meet again in her jail cell, she uses his lack of recollection to her advantage, telling Reid that he was raped while drugged up and now Cat's pregnant with his child. While it's later revealed to be a lie, it's possible that Reid believes this to be true for a while, and we can only imagine what he's feeling in these moments. 

The trauma of being sexually assaulted — and on top of that having no memory of it — is horrible, and a lot of fans are uncomfortable with how casually "Criminal Minds" uses this as a plot device. This honestly could've been a great way for the show to explore how men's suffering of sexual trauma is treated in society. But instead, it's pushed to the wayside, simply used to add drama to Cat and Reid's relationship.