Aaron Hotchner, played by Thomas Gibson, was one of the original members of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) on the hit show Criminal Minds. Hotch was known for his calm and collected demeanor, as well as his dedication to his job and team.
However, in Season 12, Hotch was abruptly written off the show after a two-week suspension due to an alleged physical altercation with writer-producer Virgil Williams. This left fans wondering if Hotch would ever return to the BAU.
Sadly, it was announced that Hotch would not be returning to Criminal Minds for its final season. This decision was made by the show’s producers, and it was revealed that Hotch would not be written into any future episodes.
Hotch’s departure was explained in the show as him leaving witness protection to be a full-time father, after the death of his arch-nemesis Scratch. This was a bittersweet ending for Hotch’s character, as fans were sad to see him go, but happy that he was able to focus on his family.
Although Hotch did not return to Criminal Minds, his legacy lived on though the remaining members of the BAU. Hotch’s leadership and dedication to the team were remembered in several episodes, and his absence was felt by his former colleagues.
Hotch did not come back to Criminal Minds for its final season. His departure from the show was sudden, but it was explained in the storyline and his legacy was remembered throughout the remainder of the series. Fans will always remember Hotch as a key member of the BAU and a beloved character on the show.
Will Hotch Return for Criminal Minds Season 13?
Hotch does not come back to Criminal Minds in Season 13. After the death of Scratch, Hotch and his son Jack left witness protection but he chose not to return to the BAU in order to focus on being a full-time father. In the show, it is explained that Hotch took a step back from the team to prioritize his family after the traumatic events they experienced. Therefore, his character is not seen in Season 13 or subsequent seasons of the show.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Will Hotch Return for Season 15 of Criminal Minds?
Thomas Gibson, who played Aaron Hotchner, does not return for season 15 of Criminal Minds. This was confirmed by showrunner Erica Messer, who stated that Gibson would not be returning for the final season.
Hotch’s Final Episode
Hotch’s last episode on Criminal Minds was titled “Sick Day” and aired on October 5, 2016. In this episode, Hotch is forced to take a sick day due to a severe case of pneumonia. While he is at home, he receives a phone call from someone seeking his help, which leads him to become involved in a dangerous situation. Ultimately, Hotch is able to resolve the situation, but he decides to step down from his position at the BAU in order to protect his team and his family. This was Thomas Gibson’s final appearance on the show, as he was fired from the series folowing an altercation with one of the show’s writers.
The Reason for Matthew Gray Gubler’s Departure from ‘Criminal Minds’
Hodge, the character played by Thomas Gibson, did not leave Criminal Minds voluntarily. In 2016, Gibson was fired from the show after a two-week suspension due to an alleged physical altercation with writer-producer Virgil Williams on set. The incident led to Gibson’s dismissal from the show, and his character was written out of the series. Gibson had been a part of Criminal Minds since its inception in 2005 and played the role of Hodge, the leader of the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit.
The Removal of JJ from ‘Criminal Minds’
Jennifer “JJ” Jareau, played by actress A.J. Cook, was written out of the show Criminal Minds after the actress was let go at the beginning of season six. The reason for her departure was due to financial reasons relating to the premiere of the spin-off series Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior. The network had to make budget cuts, and unfortunately, Cook’s character was one of the casualties. However, Cook would return as a regular cast member in season seven, following a public outcry from fans who were unhappy with her departure. Despite her brief exit from the show, JJ remains a beloved character among fans, kown for her empathy, intelligence, and loyalty to her team.
Source: time.com
The Fate of Hotch’s Son
In the episode “Elliott’s Pond” of Criminal Minds, Hotch’s son Jack was being stalked by an unsub who had previously been captured by Hotch’s father but later escaped from prison. In order to protect Jack, both Hotch and Jack had to go into witness protection. Hotch resigned from his position in the BAU, as he did not want to further endanger his son. It is not revealed what happens to Jack after this episode, but it can be assumed that he remains in witness protection with Hotch until the threat is neutralized.
Gideon’s Departure from ‘Criminal Minds’
Mandy Patinkin, who played the character of Jason Gideon, left Criminal Minds in 2007 due to emotional distress. Patinkin later revealed in a 2012 interview that the show was “very destructive” to his soul and personality, which led to him abruptly quitting from the BAU team. Patinkin’s departure from the show was unexpected and sudden, leaving fans and the show’s creative team surprised. However, it was clear that the actor’s mental health and wellbeing took precedence over continuing with the series.
Hotch’s Romantic Partner
In the television series Criminal Minds, SSA Aaron Hotchner, played by actor Thomas Gibson, ends up with Beth Clemmons, portrayed by actress Bellamy Young. Beth Clemmons first appears in Season Seven as a love interest for Hotchner following the death of his ex-wife, Haley Brooks, at the hands of George Foyet. Clemmons is a lawyer and a divorcee with a daughter named Ellie. She and Hotchner meet when she hires him as a consultant on a case she is working on. Over the course of sveral episodes, Hotchner and Clemmons develop a romantic relationship, and they eventually become a couple. Their relationship continues into Season Eight, until Hotchner is forced to go into witness protection with his son Jack, following a dangerous case involving a notorious criminal. Although Hotchner and Clemmons try to maintain their relationship long-distance, it ultimately ends due to the challenges posed by his witness protection status.
Has ‘Criminal Minds’ Been Cancelled?
Criminal Minds was cancelled after its 15th season. The show ran for 15 years, from 2005 to 2020, and was a popular crime drama series that followed a team of FBI profilers as they tracked down serial killers and solved complex cases. The decision to cancel the show was announced in January 2019, and the final season aired in early 2020. However, in February 2021, a revival for a 16th season was announced, which was later confirmed by Paramount+ in February 2022. The new season will be titled Criminal Minds: Evolution and is set to premiere in 2023.
Source: screenrant.com
Will Garcia Leave ‘Criminal Minds’?
Garcia (played by Kirsten Vangsness) does leave Criminal Minds in the final season of the show. However, it’s important to note that her departure from the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) is not due to any negative reason such as being fired or quitting. In fact, Garcia is shown to be living her best life when the new show begins, indicating that her departure from the BAU was a voluntary decision. This allows for new storylines and character development for both Garcia and the remaining members of the BAU.
Who Is Responsible for the Death of Hotch’s Ex?
Hotch’s ex-wife, Haley Brooks, was killed by George Foyet, also known as “The Reaper,” in the Season Five episode of Criminal Minds titled “100.” Foyet was a prolific serial killer who had a personal vendetta against Hotch and his team. He had previously attacked Hotch’s family and killed several of his colleagues. In the episode, Foyet breaks into Haley’s home and holds her hostage before killing her in front of Hotch’s son, Jack. This event has a significant impact on Hotch and his character arc throughout the rest of the series.
The Serial Killer Who Murdered Hotch’s Wife
The serial killer who kills Hotch’s wife is not actually revealed in the show. However, there is a character known as The Reaper (Thomas Howell) who is a narcissistic serial killer and torments the team on more than one occasion. In one of the most intense episodes of Criminal Minds, The Reaper targets Hotch’s ex-wife Haley (Meredith Monroe) and their young son Jack (Cade Owens), causing Hotch immense emotional distress. Despite the team’s efforts to protect them, The Reaper ultimately kills Haley and leaves Hotch devastated.
The Reason Behind Emily Prentiss’ Firing
Emily Prentiss was not fired from her job as an FBI agent on the TV show Criminal Minds. In fact, she was a popular character who appeared in multiple seasons of the show. There was a period in the show’s sixth season where her role was reduced, but this was due to financial reasons and not because she was fired. Actress Paget Brewster, who played Prentiss, eventually returned to the show for its seventh season.
Source: vanityfair.com
Returning Cast Members for Criminal Minds Revival
Several cast members from the original series are returning for the Criminal Minds revival. This includes Joe Mantegna, who played David Rossi, A.J. Cook as Jennifer Jareau, Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia, Aisha Tyler as Dr. Tara Lewis, Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez, and Paget Brewster as Emily Prentiss. Additionally, the revival will feature new cast members, including Zach Gilford of Friday Night Lights fame. It is unclear if any other original cast members will be returning at this time.
Conclusion
Aaron Hotchner, played by Thomas Gibson, was a pivotal character in the long-running series Criminal Minds. He served as the BAU Unit Chief for many years and was knon for his analytical mind, dedication to his team, and unwavering commitment to catching the most dangerous criminals. However, his departure from the show was abrupt and unexpected, following an alleged physical altercation with a writer-producer. Although it was a controversial decision to let him go, the show continued without him, and his absence was felt in the final season. Despite the circumstances of his departure, Hotchner remains a beloved character by many fans of the show, and his legacy lives on.
