"Criminal Minds" Season 12 Episode 2 was supposed to be Thomas Gibson's last appearance on the show. However, the 54-year-old actor was not given much spotlight on the said episode entitled "Sick Day." Instead, the plot focused on an abduction case that was resolved by the Behavioral Analysis Unit with A.J. Cook as J.J. and Adam Rodriguez as Luke Alvez.
Hotchner's appearance on "Criminal Minds" Season 12 Episode 2 was limited as the plot was centered on the BAU team's quest to identify a pyromaniac UnSub who burns children alive. With the case being handled by J.J. and Alvez, Hotchner was barely seen throughout the second episode of "Criminal Minds" Season 12, ET Online reported.
It can be recalled that Gibson was fired from "Criminal Minds" after a physical altercation with one of the "Criminal Minds" writers on set. The incident reportedly happened while they were shooting "Criminal Minds" Season 12 Episode 2.
Previous reports claimed that Gibson's final performance will be on the second episode of "Criminal Minds" Season 12. If this is to be considered, then Gibson's character was not given an official exit. As Entertainment Weekly pointed out, it was not much of a goodbye.
It is already clear that "Criminal Minds" Season 12 Episode 2 did not concentrate on Hotchner but as the episode progressed, fans may have been waiting for the ending to see how Hotchner will say his goodbyes. However, there were still no hints that he will be leaving the BAU team and the whole of "Criminal Minds."
Hotchner's last scene on "Criminal Minds" was a conversation with J.J. who he asked to take a break from work. "It's not a request," Hotchner told J.J. Those were the last words heard from Hotchner as he exits "Criminal Minds."
"Criminal Minds" Season 12 Episode 3 teaser has no traces of Hotchner and his whereabouts as well. However, fans of Paget Brewster may be delighted to know that she will be returning on the next episode as Agent Emily Prentiss.
Watch "Criminal Minds" Season 12 Episode 3 promo below.
