‘Criminal Minds’ Season 12: Thomas Gibson’s Final Episodes Revealed

Warning: The article may contain Criminal Minds Season 12 spoilers.

Criminal Minds Season 12 has gotten off to a very rough start, and it hasn’t even premiered yet. First, Shemar Moore’s beloved Agent Derek Morgan was written off the long-running CBS series after 250 episodes, causing a fan outcry. Then, in a shocking turn of events, Thomas Gibson was fired after an on-set altercation. Given the major changes, fans may have a hard time envisioning how Season 12 will play out.

First things first, Criminal Minds Season 12 spoilers reveal Agent Aaron Hotchner will appear in the first two episodes of the season despite Gibson’s departure. New stills from Episode 1, “The Crimson King,” show Gibson on the phone and interacting with team members. SpoilerTV posted CBS’s synopsis of the episode, which introduces Moore’s replacement, Adam Rodriguez.

“Agent Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez) joins the BAU team, which is tasked with capturing a killer who escaped prison with 13 other convicts at the end of last season.”

Criminal Minds fans know Season 11 ended with the escape of 13 dangerous serial killers. Showrunner Erica Messer told Entertainment Weekly that five of the murderers are still on the loose in the Season 12 premiere, including “Mr. Scratch” (Bodhi Elfman), “who is our baddie this year. We will stretch him out and tell his creepy tales.”

Meanwhile, Messer told TV Line that Agent Alvez will be a physical presence on the team.

“We meet Adam’s character, Luke Alvez, in the field doing what he does, which is be a team leader on the [FBI] Fugitive Task Force. He ends up having this great action-y scene, where you really get to see him shine.”

She said Alvez is more “about the chase” than criminal analysis, but he eventually agrees to join the BAU team.

So where does this leave Agent Hotchner in Criminal Minds Season 12? When it was first reported that Gibson had been suspended for kicking a writer, Cinema Blend reported Agent Hotchner would be sent on a temporary assignment to explain his absence. It still isn’t known exactly how Criminal Minds writers intend to handle Gibson’s exit, but don’t be surprised if Hotchner goes on a mission elsewhere only to have the BAU team notified he was killed in the line of duty.

In an interview with People, Aisha Tyler (Dr. Tara Lewis) said she knows Hotchner’s fate, but she has to stay mum.

“I know what’s going to happen, but I cannot tell you,” she said. “I do know what’s going to happen, but I’m sworn to secrecy.”

She also said she understands that fans are upset about Gibson’s departure.

“Thomas was an incredible part of the show for a very long time. I know fans are going to miss him.”

But Tyler, whose role has been expanded to help make up for Hotchner’s departure, says fans will still enjoy tuning into Criminal Minds each week.

“It’s a show that fans love. They connect with the stories. They connect with the theme of the show, which is about smart people out there trying to make the world safer for everybody. That hasn’t changed.”

Paget Brewster will also help pick up the slack in Criminal Minds Season 12. Deadline reported her recurring character, criminal profiler Emily Prentiss, has been bumped up to series regular.

“We’re all so excited to have Paget with us full-time,” Messer told the outlet. “The BAU family has definitely missed her, on screen and off. Having her hack on set has been great. It’s like she never left.”

Brewster’s first episode is scheduled for October 12.

What do you think of the latest Criminal Minds Season 12 spoilers? How do you think Agent Hotchner will be written off the show?

Criminal Minds Season 12 returns to CBS on Wednesday, September 28.

[Image via CBS]