It seems that there will be no coming back for Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) chief Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) after the writers effectively explained his absence from the show and finally named his permanent replacement as head of the unit.
It can be recalled that lead star Gibson was dismissed from the show after an on-set altercation with the writer and co-executive producer of the show. The star has reportedly expressed displeasure over a line, which led an argument.
In a recent interview with writer and co-executive producer Virgil Williams, he finally explained what led up to the blowout that cost Gibson his role.
"I felt that change of lines would have hurt the story. I tried to offer him a fix. He didn't accept the fix and said 'Fix it so I'm happy' and then he walked off, " he said.
Williams said that this happened again and the star kicked him in the shin, resulting in the star's suspension and eventually dismissal from the show.
"There were some creative differences on the set and a disagreement. I regret that it occurred. We all want to work together as a team just to make the best show possible. We always have this in mind and always will," Gibson stated in the wake of the incident.
Meanwhile, the last episode may have closed the doors of the BAU chief returning to the show after it was explained that Hotch went under Witness Protection Program in order to protect his son.
According to a report by Game and Guide, Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster) has been appointed as his permanent replacement after it was explained that because of the threat of being stalked by Mr. Scratch, Hotch felt that this could be a threat to the safety of his son so he opted to go under Witness Protection. Since his character has not been killed off, there are still some fans who are holding out hope that he may one day return to the franchise.
Meanwhile, the upcoming seventh episode synopsis of the show — which will air after two weeks and is entitled "Mirror Image" — reads: "The BAU team opens an investigation when a man who fully believes he's Dr. Tara Lewis' (Aisha Tyler) brother arrives in town, knowing everything about her and her family, and she is unable to make contact with her real sibling."
Season 12 of "Criminal Minds" will return on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 9 p.m. EST on CBS.
