Is Thomas Gibson leaving Criminal Minds?

I think it would be a very bad move for the writers/producers of Criminal Minds not to bring Hotch back. It was difficult enough to lose Jason Giddeon, but Hotch as well that would be too much. However, David Rossi has been a wonderful addition to the show, but you can be lucky twice. Hotch is a very important character of the show/team. Each one of them are as important as the other. This was just season 4, don’t mess it up so early in your many years to be on the air. Thank you,
Debbie Gritman, Kodiak

I would hate to see Thomas Gibson leave the show as he is an anchor on the show. His character is the rock of the team and it would be a shame if any of the characters left the show right now. Currently the show is in its prime..its one of the highest rated shows on TV with a devoted fan following myself included. Its brilliantly written and acted and just a well put together show. CSI has changed with a lot of the original cast now gone, its just not the same show and has lost its zest. I hope the same does not happen to Criminal Minds. As it is now, the show can go on without major cast drama and still be very sucessful so I do hope the networks take a hint from fans and don’t get rid of cast members as we will all continue to watch and bring ratings to the network.

Maybe the hint came when Derek said he was burning out, and so he’ll be the one to move on. I can deal with that. But not Hotch, who seems to have finally come to terms with Hayley’s departure and has his own place now and didn’t look nearly so agonized as he has been, as if he’s got his stuff together now internally.

I’d miss Derek, but not like I’d miss Hotch.

It’s tv, so I wouldn’t say anything is unlikely. After all, both Garcia and Elle got shot and survived. (Yeah, yeah, Elle left, but she didn’t die)

The thing that bugs me about the rumors is they’re all coming from fans, and gets repeated again and again. I’m not discounting that they might be true (and I’m completely nervous, because Hotch is my favorite) but it’s irritating being nervous based on fans saying something and it spreading around the net like a game of telephone. Of course, I want the outcome to be he stays (and I don’t care if it’s realistic or not). But, another part of me just wants a clear cut answer one way or the other. And, I really would like the people who first brought it up would say where they got their info from. If I’m going to bite my nails I want to know it’s because of a reliable source.

I enjoy watching the entire cast of Criminal Minds. Thomas Gibson would be missed greatly if he departed the show. I think the network would hear a clamor coming from fans who enjoy his performance on the show.

I would hate to see anyone of the cast leave the show. I agree with a comment that was made earlier–CSI has lost some of it’s appeal since Warrick and Grissom have left the show. CM is one, if not the best show on Prime Time. Please do not change anything. When Giddeon left the show I thought it would never be the same or as good but I was totally wrong. Rossi is great as well as the rest of the cast. I hope to see many, many more episodes with the same cast for a long, long time.

If he is gone. I am gone. I will no longer watch the show.

Thomas Gibson is the core character of Criminal Minds, and it’s interesting this happened with his character as I have been thinking this is a pretty grim part, and although Thomas Gibson does grim very, very well, it would seem after several years as Hotch it would wear on an actor’s spirit.

So maybe it was his choice, which would be understandable. If it wasn’t his choice, then shame on the producers, for he’s the glue that holds the show together.

Ok…this is like the same thing that happened on CBS’s very own original CSI, I hate to say it but when Warrick died I had hope but no they took him away. Then shortly after it was Grissom. Two main characters left this season and ratings have just dropped. Still being a devoted fan I have found Lawrence Fishburne as a great addition. CBS needs to pay or make commidations for the actors to stay on this show because they just can’t make the same mistake twice.

okay, what did it mean in the last minute when hotch’s intruder said “you shoulda taken the deal”? help i am confused!!

Thomas Gibson CAN NOT LEAVE CRIMINAL MINDS!! He’s the #1 reason I tune into that show. I mean, yes I do love my psycho crime shows…but Thomas Gibson…hello!! crime shows are a dime a dozen..Thomas Gibson is one of a kind
Please CBS- he has to come back!!!

When Mandy Patinkin left the show the fans clamored long and loud. Criminal Minds without Jason Gideon? Absurd! Impossible! Yet Gideon left, “Rossi” took his place, and – though I hate to admit it (I was fuming mad that JG wasn’t returning) – I thing the show actually improved. Joe Montagna is a versatile, believable actor; I love his character and don’t find myself missing JG at all.

So, in theory, Hotch could go and it would all work out, just like befor. Maybe. But remember that pre-Rossi there were two “boss” characters, two men who created the anchor for the team, the base of the power structure. Getting rid of one may work, but both? That’s too much of an upset. Rossi is still a little lost at sea with the whole “new and improved” profiling world: the character is not strong to be an anchor. Not yet, anyway.

Getting rid of Hotch would be a mistake.

Derek’s “get me outta here!” comments may mean he’s the next to go. Or it could be a complete surprise. Whatever they do, I hope they listen to the fans: KEEP HOTCH IN THE SHOW.

I don’t think I’d watch either if Thomas Gibson left, but more importantly, like the other woman asked, what was with the comment “you should have taken the deal?” Wasn’t that from a previous episode?

the “you shoulda taken the deal” comment was from the one case where the unsub made a deal with one of the pd guys in one city promising to stop killing as long as the officer was alive. in that ep, he gave hotch the same deal and hotch didnt take it. they arrested him, but he escaped from jail at the very end.

I am hoping against hope that something else was going one there – meaning, was Hotch really suspecting something and perhaps had a gun in his left hand? (ok, unlikely but I can hope). Or perhaps he knew he was being followed and one of the other team members was actually on the scene and he/she was the one who actually took the shot? Maybe it was Morgan and that tips him over the edge to leave (vis a vis his burn-out comments on the show)

The intruder in the mask is C. Thomas Howell who played a serial killer in a previous episode that had made a deal with the lead det. on his case at the time, that as long as the det. lived he wouldn’t kill. the det. died and C. Thomas started to kill. He offered Hotch the same deal but he didn’t take it.

Okay, I will be extremely upset if Hotch dies. However, whatever is going to happen is going to happen regardless. I will be upset and miis him very much, I agree with all those fans before me in many ways however the two people I think I would miss the absolute most if they were to leave would be Spencer Reid and Penelope Garcia. I do not think the dynamic would work quite the same without those two characters. They are both unique!

If they take off Hotch, or anyone on Criminal Minds, then they are making the biggest mistake in history. CRIMINAL MINDS IS HOTCH AND HIS TEAM. NO ONE SHOULD LEAVE THE SHOW. Please leave it as is!!!!!

Thomas Gibson cannot leave the show. What the hell? he is the GLUE

I want to react to the way this article has been written
Well first of all (as to give more precisions than this article) writers have been fired because of budget cuts And for the actors, there were no official announcements so don’t say certitudes before u really know something!!!

I mean seriously, if you are watching the show then you do know that Thomas Gibson is not leaving the show.

This thing happened last season when, shocker, another CBS show in this case CSI:Miami decided to gun-down Horatio Kane in yet another season finale cliffhanger.

Just wait until September and Thomas will be back.

Mystery solved.

The show is careful with plots and story lines, Hotch’s final word came after the gunshot. Point blank range would not have allowed that.

Guess he may not have been killed off. Hopefully not anyway.

The end of season two-parter was very well done, showed doubts and some reality in the BAu staff.

I know I already put in my say, but in the fall it would be great if Derek was ready for him, since he left him with a warning. I mean he did take his ID so that would be the next item he should put on someone. Or Gideon was staying with Hotch and he capped the serial killer. Man I hate cliff hangers…

I hate cliffhangers too. This is one of the best done shows on tv. I forgot about him taking Derek’s id. I think there would be too much backlash from killing him off as well. I’m guessing too that maybe someone was with him, came after him, something…

I think it would be a mistrake to loose Hotch/Gibson. I have always liked him and hope he is around for several more years…

I would also hate to see Thomas Gibson leave the show as he is an anchor on the show. All of the current staff seem to fit the show perfectly. Hotch’s character is the rock of the team and it would be a shame if any of the characters left the show right now.

I think the show better re-think if it likes making money or now. Get rid of any of the cast and this will be the last season!!

If the show likes to make money they better re-think getting rid of Hotch or anyone else. If not then loose them and then there go your ratings!!

If Hotch leaves this show, I will not watch anymore either. I agree…Hotch is the glue. His acting and demeanor is amazing. Thomas Gibson is one of the best I’ve seen on TV!

I think if Thomas Gibson is leaving the show, he should be replaced by Eric Close whose tenure ended with the cancellation of Without a Trace. CBS might as well keep it in the family ~ Eric is a talent actor who would add much to Criminal Minds.

If they are going to make the mistake of killing off Hotch, they can at least bring back Gideon. I still feel that characters loss.

I didn’t like Gideon has left and I would hate Hotch left as much or more since we already lost Gideon.
I know people’s life carries on and actors like different challenges and all those plausible arguments… But this serie is the only ritual I have with TV and we become part of it and vice-versa, so I like it how it is and see their every day going on has mine.

This is the best show on TV and *I am a huge fan. I have collected seasons 1, 2, and 3 on DVD and I haxe pre-ordered season 4. You have a winning cast and crew and I cannot bear to see any of the members leave. I also have a question for the writers of Criminal Minds. Why haven’t you done an episode about “The Candy Man?” I grew up in Texas City, TX and was a teenager in the 70′s, Dean Coral and Elmer Wayne Henly?

Please don’t let Thomas/Hotch leave!!!

ok ppl i dont watch much TV at all OK, i usually laugh at the ppl that go apesh*t about things like this etc BUT lol, EMAIL CAMPAIGN to the network etc, lets show em we are all pissed off

Por que siempre se tienen que ir los mejores, primero se va Gideon y ahora Hotch la perdida de gideon dije no pero bueno, pero como se vaya Hotch que vamos hacer por favorno te vayas Hotch.

Hello all, im an Irish criminal minds fan and the finale just aired tonight over here. Hotch cant go it would wreck the show. I live in hope that crazy elle has made a comeback and followed the unsub to hotches house and she was the one who fired the shot….not likely but heres hoping!

As a side note Hotch always carries a firearm on his inside leg, when he enters the apartment he only places his sidearm on the table. subtle?

I think though that this storyline has something to do with hotchs family although i read online that the gun shot was not the only important thing to note in the final episode!

Hello,
I’m from Czech Republic and I really love Criminal minds. I hope to Hotch stay in this show, because he is my favourite character. All fans from Czech Republic pray for Hotch doesn’t leave this show. The team has a lot of changes so don’t change it anymore! He mustn’t die!

I agree regarding the downfall of CSI and certainly hope the same thing doesn’t happen to Criminal Minds. The cast is perfect in my opinion. I will really be VERY UPSET if either Hotch or Derek leave. They all need to stay – let’s cross our fingers at the very least.

Technically, after the shot, Hotch is still talking to us by ending his sentence “Sometimes, the day just [SHOT] ends”. So this is what I’m hanging on to in order to keep my hopes up that Hotch doesn’t die.

In my opinion, the only departure that would improve the show is if it’s Rossi that goes. He’s no way near as good as Giddeon was, and I’m still very pissed at him for having ruined the episode “Master Piece”, which if Giddeon had still been there, would have been the best show in all 91 we’ve seen.

Bottom line, keep Hotch, kill Rossi, bring back Giddeon or find a good replacement !

if thomas gibson leaves i will not watch the criminal minds and that would be sad snice i only watched it because he was and is in criminal minds and one of the most sexy guys in criminal minds

I gave up on this show when the idiot powers-that-be let Mandy Patinkin leave!

Now see I have to disagree with all the Rossi fans, I can’t stand his character and I miss Mandy Patinken’s character like crazy. Elle…meh. Like Paget Brewster much better. Gotta love Hotch, if Thomas Gibsons character goes, I go.

Please, not Hotch, I look forward to watching this show and there are few shows watching and few good actors. What ever has happen to good actors and good shows. Do not mess up one of the good ones.

Please leave this show the way it is or I may never watch tv again.

Please don’t change the cast. I love this show and I watch the re-runs and the latest ones. Keep the cast.Everyone of them. they are great.

I’ve been reading this thread of comments. Just got one thing to say: if Hotch/Gibson leaves it would be great for the show! He is such a lousy actor, even by US standards! If he leaves they might get money to hire a better actor…

I am addicted to the show and now also watch the reruns on A & E. Please don’t change the show or the characters!

I do not want Hotch to leave the show, he is like the father figure. I love that he seems to watch over them all and stress over them. It makes his character adorable.

Oh and Jen, in Season 4 The guy in the last scene was actually court earlier in that season but Escaped from Prison. I had a feeling he would pop up his ugly head again.

Does anyone know when Season 5 will be available on DVD yet. I really can’t wait to see it.

I mean caught earlier

Please, Please, Please, Do NOT let Hotch leave the show, this is the best show on t.v. hands down, and a lot of it is HOTCH. He is so HOT!!!!!!

hotch must stay. bring elle n gideon back. i miss the old team..

If Hotch is dead, then this show is definitely going to lose a lot of ratings. And if what some people said is true and Morgan leaves, then I’m not watching anymore. Morgan is my fave on the show, and without him, its going to be pretty bad.

hotch is so hot! hot as heckkkk.

the show would suck without his stange sence of humore and smile it would odviously come to and end without him.
if they were to fire him i bet many people would stop watching criminal minds

tamie santeago-

i agree, the show was lcky so far with cast changes, hotch!, can’t be replaced, as with garcia, or the boy genius, all the cast works perfect together, hotch is the rock, gruber, narrates so well, the team , is one…lets hope for season 10

I love the suspense! I 'm sure we'll all be pleased with the outcome.

There would be no "criminal minds" without Thomas Gibson!!

I think it will be so selfish of CBS not to have Thomas Gibson back in Criminal Minds. It is not going to be fun to watch if there is Hotchner or Hotch. He is so daring as Hotch without a smile, always serious with a very suspicious looking eyes and sometimes with a very loving and understanding glance that took my breath away watching him. So please CBS don't let go off Hotch and JJ. JJ being a beautiful agent gives the show more interesting, CBS you have great staff there, yes you can always replace them, but you won't be able to replace their shoes.

Peanjo – you are an idiot. You must be the only person who thinks this. Hotch is great and the whole cast is awesome. They are great together. I hope this show continues as it is now – the only show I watch on TV – Hotch is the glue that holds this great cast together. Peanjo is not very bright!

Hotch is the best character and the hottest actor. If he goes I will definately stop watching ( maybe just the re-runs).

it was George Foyet, the Reaper. He proposed a deal to Hotch, "If you stop hunting me, I'll stop hunting them," which Hotch, obviously, refused to take. So Foyet is looking for revenge.

J.J needs to come back and get rid of the other blonde. Start eliminatin the cast members the show will NOT be any good. You need to keep the cast as they are.

J.J needs to come back, Elle, and Gideon as well. If any of the teams members leave the show will not be any good at all. J.J needs to come back and get rid of the blonde that took her place she doesnt have the humor like J.J

I’m just wondering if Thomas Gibson is ailing because of the way he looked on the last episode?

Hotch is the reason I watch Criminal Minds,  If  he leaves there is no chance I will watch it if Thomas Gibsin Leaves.  And Please keep the cast as they are.

You don’t know what you are talking about you silly goose.  Gibson is the one who makes the show.  Gibson is an excellent actor.  I love his serious expression and when he smiles which is rare he just lights up my heart.  And when he cries for the victim I just want to respect him even more.  I say if he leaves or any of the cast leaves thats it for me.  Of course I will Keep watching the old reruns.