‘Criminal Minds’ season 9 spoilers: Thomas Gibson’s Hotch to look back
While the 200th episode of “Criminal Minds” is set to give us some more backstory on the character of JJ, it also looks like another installment airing in October will help to answer a few other interesting questions pertaining to another character.
Speaking to TV Guide in a new interview, executive producer Erica Messer claims that the plan is to really pay tribute this season to a moment that sent many longtime fans into a tailspin when it came to Thomas Gibson’s Hotch, and one of the plans is to dive back into that mystery to see how much the character’s life has changed since that time:
“In our 100th episode five years ago, Hotchner’s wife, Haley, was murdered by Foyet [aka the Reaper] and then Hotchner beat Foyet to death. So we’re going to honor the longtime fans by clueing the audience in to where Hotchner has been emotionally these past five years.”
For this episode, both Meredith Monroe (who played Haley) and C. Thomas Howell (who played the killer) will be invited back to potentially shoot new material. There’s no guarantee right now that they are both appearing, but this is something to look out for as we get closer to this episode actually airing on CBS.
“Criminal Minds” already has a premiere date set for Wednesday, September 25, when the show will demonstrate over the course of two hours just what the fallout from the Replicator’s end (if the character is really dead) will be for the rest of the BAU.
What do you think about this idea to give us more insight on the Hotch character, and are there any other stories like this that you would like to see? For more on the plans for the 200th episode, just be sure to head on over to the link here.
Photo: CBS
Kelly
August 7, 2013 @ 3:52 pm
imo Haley should have figured out Hotch’s work was his life. Of course, he loved Haley and Jack greatly, but he would never be happy without his BAU work. Also, why in the world wouldn’t she have called Hotch’s number immediately when someone she didn’t know told her Hotch was dead?
Delving into Hotch’s earlier life and his emotionally life since Haley’s death would be a very interesting storyline. Thomas Gibson is such a great actor in this role and earlier ones. He deserves much more credit and respect.
Enid Potter
August 6, 2013 @ 1:58 am
I always loved the Haley-Hotch relationship, unending love, and true even in his heartbreak. His current Beth relationship looks so blah after that. I’ve also wondered just how he became his stoic disciplined self without coming undone after so much personal tragedy and a history of being raised by a womanizing father, who may have abused him (?).
I love the Hotch character, and Thomas Gibson is a highly talented actor that deserves a lot of respect. Please keep him strong and the BOSS.
GemmaLee
August 6, 2013 @ 1:15 pm
Well said, Enid. I’m glad I’m not the only one who sees the lackluster quality of the Hotch/Beth relationship. I’d love to see a wonderful female presence for Hotch and Jack, but Erica Messer needs to do a better job of casting the actress who will play that role. I’ve been a fan of Thomas Gibson since the days of Dharma and Greg. Now those two had chemistry! I’m also a fan of Bellamy Young. Aside from her extraordinary performance in Scandal, I’ve enjoyed her acting many times before. But as great as they are separately, TG and BY just don’t “click” on screen. Hey, it happens! I’ve been a fan of CM from the first episode; but if I start hearing wedding bells for Hotch and Beth-the-Bore, I’m gone.
Stacey Mason
August 7, 2013 @ 1:15 am
From my perspective Hayley became a harpie. This of course is the fault of the writers. Clearly a woman in Haley’s position would have had to come to grips with Hotch’s attachment to his job long before Jack was born or would have long been gone. I guess I never liked her that much in the first place and am glad to see a much happier personality in Hotch’s life.
GemmaLee
August 7, 2013 @ 12:38 pm
Hotch and Haley had their struggles; but it was obvious that they loved each other. Hotch never looked at any woman the way he looked at Haley (Remember their scenes in The Fisher King?). And let’s be truthful here: Beth Clemmons is “husband hunting” and she has set her sights on Hotch. At this point in the relationship, Ms. Clemmons can afford a “happy personality”. She’s going to be accepting and agreeable to everything. Wait until she is stuck at home with another small child and with Jack – who is fast approaching the difficult teen years (YIKES!). Hotch is jumping through hoops for her now (in a way that he never did for Haley), but he is not about to change. He will always give 90% of himself to the BAU. Let’s see how “adorable” Beth-the-Bore is then. Hopefully, the writers will have the sense to eliminate her before that happens.
Lark
August 5, 2013 @ 11:24 pm
Would also love to see more about the tidbit dangled before us in “Natural Born Killer” when it was revealed that Hotch’s childhood was in a “violent and abusive” home. What formed this intensely complex character?
GemmaLee
August 7, 2013 @ 8:07 pm
That is a great idea! I remember that episode. I often wondered what life was like for little Aaron and Sean. It sounded like they had a good relationship with their mother. I think the issues were with the father. As much as I’d like to have some answers, I’m really sensitive when it comes to seeing children being abused. I’m not sure how far I would want to go with that storyline. What’s that saying? Be careful what you wish for!
Gayle Johnson
August 5, 2013 @ 10:26 pm
By all means please bring back Tommy Howell. He is the cute, adorable guy that really knows how to play a really great villain.
eve
August 5, 2013 @ 10:04 pm
Frankly I would like to see them how us Morgans personal life, where he lives and what he does after work.
Denise
August 5, 2013 @ 9:34 pm
Yeaaaaaaaa C.Thomas Howell!!!!!! I lov ehim and I love to hate Foyet! Fear the Reaper!!!!!!!!!
Stacey Mason
August 5, 2013 @ 6:35 pm
I love Beth! She is just what a dour gentleman like Hotch needs to lighten up a bit. Perhaps he will be looking back before asking her to marry him.
GemmaLee
August 5, 2013 @ 5:20 pm
I think we all know where Hotch has been emotionally over the past five years. I would love to see Meredith Monroe and C. Thomas Howell again. They both gave such superb performances. I realize Haley is dead, but I would like to know how Hotch, after loving such an incredible woman (Haley), could end up with Beth Clemmons. There is absolutely no chemistry and even less electricity between the two of them. My hope for this season is that Beth will be eliminated and – if the writers insist upon pursuing a love interest for Hotch – that he will find someone worthy of him (and Jack).