Aaron Hotchner’s return can make Criminal Minds: Evolution better as highlighted by Thomas Gibson’s latest comment about the police procedural. Being on CBS for 15 years was an impressive feat for the series, but it also meant that it went through a series of cast reshuffling over the years. Mandy Patinkin’s departure as Jason Gideon set the precedent for this, which made it easier to accept that some characters, as beloved as they are, would only be in the project for a limited time. Amid all exits, however, Gibson’s departure as Hotch was the most controversial.

Criminal Minds didn’t have any shortage of divisive character exits. Both AJ Cook and Paget Brewster’s characters, JJ Jarreau and Emily Prentiss, were once written out as part of CBS’ cost-reduction efforts. They were eventually brought back once it became clear that the police procedural was better with them. Now, they are still part of Criminal Minds: Evolution‘s cast. That being said, Hotch’s departure was still more scandalous because of what led to it. Gibson was fired from Criminal Minds season 12 following a series of on-set altercations. Despite his real-life predicament, Hotch remains a beloved former member of the BAU.

Thomas Gibson Says Aaron Hotchner Loves Emily Prentiss In Criminal Minds

Gibson Comments About Criminal Minds Years After He Was Fired From It

Ever since he was booted out of the police procedural, Gibson has been mostly mum about his old show. When Criminal Minds: Evolution was greenlit after being stuck in development hell for a while, there were queries about whether it was time for Hotch to return. For context, despite the actor’s abrupt firing, showrunner Erica Messer and her group of writers were quickly able to find a way to explain the character’s departure by revealing that he opted to focus on raising his son in light of Mr. Scratch’s return. Considering the Hotchners’ history, it wasn’t a difficult sell.

So Gibson’s posting of a video on social media discussing Criminal Minds was surprising. It was snippets from his greetings on Cameo, and considering the sheer number of comments he made about the police procedural, it’s safe to say that he is getting many questions about it. One particular quote from the clip stood out, however. It was him confirming that Hotch loves Prentiss. This revelation is great for fans who have been rooting for them to have a romantic relationship. But while it cannot be treated as canon, it reveals how Hotch’s return can make Criminal Minds: Evolution better.

Hotch’s Return Can Help Prentiss’ Current Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Predicament

Prentiss Desperately Needs Support In Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2

Regardless of what Gibson means by his comment, it’s a reminder of how closely-knit BAU has always been. While anyone from the team would be more than willing to help Prentiss with her current predicament, Hotch is in a unique position to lighten the burden that she is currently carrying. Aside from spearheading the investigation on Gold Star and work on Voit, she also has to deal with the guilt over Bailey’s death, not to mention the problems brought by returning Criminal Minds villain, Brian Garrity. As great as she is, anyone can only take so much.

Having been in the same position before, Hotch can either provide support or even help in continuing the BAU’s job as Prentiss deals with her personal issues. This doesn’t need to lead into the long-proposed romantic relationship between the pair, but if it does, it shouldn’t really have any drawbacks, unlike how Criminal Minds unexpectedly set JJ and Spencer Reid as a possible item. Both are supposedly not attached, and it would be a great way to introduce a unique arc in Criminal Minds: Evolution, especially since Tyler Green, Penelope Garcia, and Luke Alvez’s love triangle is going nowhere.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Can Bring Back Hotch (But Should It?)

Bringing Back Gibson To The Criminal Minds Franchise Isn’t Simple

Showrunner Erica Messer has made it clear that they can bring back pretty much anyone from the original series for the right narrative. Since there’s really nothing stopping Hotch from coming back, considering that Mr. Scratch has already been apprehended and Jack is old enough to be on his own, it shouldn’t be difficult to see him back. However, while the path for Hotch’s return is cleared in the universe, it isn’t as simple to bring back Gibson to the Criminal Minds franchise, considering his behavior on set in the past.

At this point, a recasting may not be the best way out of this situation. Despite Gibson’s past mistakes, viewers still associate him with Hotch. Given this, it will all boil down to making sure that the actor’s old issues have already been resolved. There needs to be evidence that he has worked through these past issues to make sure that they will never happen again. It’s also important that the rest of the cast is consulted that they are comfortable working with him again in Criminal Minds: Evolution.