'Criminal Minds' season 12B spoilers: Is Matthew Gray Gubler leaving the show?

The Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) built up the squad to a team of eight with the addition of a new but seasoned profiler in Stephen Walker last week. The episode also served as the show's midseason finale, which means that "Criminal Minds" has officially entered mandatory hiatus.

Needless to say, CBS has released a slew of teases for fans to grapple with as they wait for new episodes to arrive. For starters, the titles for the remaining episodes of the season have already been revealed with a lot of them presumably having some links to the BAU's ongoing hunt for Mr. Scratch (Bodhi Elfman). On top of that, a tipped episode with Jamie Lynch, who is coming back to reprise her role as Reid's (Matthew Gray Gubler) mother, Diana, is set for season 12B. It can be remembered that throughout the first half of the outing, the unit genius has been having a lot of references to his mom who is presumably in Las Vegas in an institution.

Fans who have spotted a particular upcoming episode titled "Spencer" scheduled to air on Feb. 15 as the Reid-centric narrative that will bring Diana back in the picture. However, some other ones point out that like last season with the start of Shemar Moore's farewell arc which is titled with his character's name, Derek, the outing might also be one of the last few outings for the fan-favorite profiler. Original cast member Moore who was part of the Jeff Davis-created show for almost 11 seasons has decided to exit the series citing wanting to have some personal time off as the main reason for his decision.

It would be an understatement to say that "Criminal Minds" have gone through a lot even before the show broke through its 12th year. While the show was able to hone a perfect narrative for Morgan leaving the bureau, Hotch's sudden exit did not have the same luxury. Thomas Gibson was suspended and ultimately fired after an altercation with one of the show's writers without filming a send-off story. This prompted the show to find a way to explain the Unit Chief's absence moving forward eventually ending up with him resigning to protect his son from Mr. Scratch.

"Criminal Minds" season 12 is set to be back on the CBS block on Jan. 4, 9 p.m. ET.