OPINION: An Open Letter to Thomas Gibson
OPINION: An Open Letter to Thomas Gibson
With everything that’s been going on the past few days, and what it means for Criminal Minds, I needed to write something. The fandom is divided on who we’re choosing to support in the matter, but one thing is certain – our show is forever changed. Leave your comments below if you want to, and stay civil. This is a sad time for everyone involved, let’s do our best to move forward with respect.
An Open Letter to Thomas Gibson
For the past 48 hours, I’ve run the gamut of emotions. I went from hearing, unbelieving, about the suspension, to the following day of total shock and deep sadness in hearing of your firing. Now that more information has come to light, I think angry is winning with me, and I’d like to tell you why.
I’m angry that you didn’t control yourself, provoked or not. I’m angry that your actions have now deprived us of any chance to say goodbye to Aaron Hotchner, an important, heroic and well-flawed character that I and thousands of others have loved and become invested in for over a decade. I’m angry that you’ve tainted the series I love so much – and the upcoming season – beyond repair. I’m angry that you’ve allowed yourself and have been allowed by others to continue a pattern of unacceptable misbehavior that left the studio no choice but to fire you.
And for what? As Aaron said to Spencer on the jet years ago; “What were you thinking?” It’s one thing to be passionate about the work, it’s very much another thing to create a dangerous, volatile, and abusive workspace for your co-workers. What you allegedly did was a crime, and Hotch would have arrested you himself, had he been there. I wish he would have been there, because from what has been made public, you could’ve employed some of his trademark stoicism.
Your statement after the fact was fine for what it was intended for, but it wasn’t all that was needed. Amends needed to be made to Virgil, sincere amends. And though I don’t pretend to know what went on between you two afterwards, from what we can tell, that’s yet to happen.
And what of your co-stars? You’ve left them in the unenviable position of having to say a jarring, permanent, and unprepared-for goodbye to their fellow actor and friend, whose character has been their BAU Unit Chief all these years. How do you make that okay for them?
What of your character? You’ve been his custodian, his embodier, and his guardian for an enormous chunk of your life, let alone career. You’ve perfected him and given him to us, compelled us to invest in and care deeply about him, and with one swift kick you yanked him away, up and out of our future perceptions forever. You owe Hotch. You owe him an uplifting, honest, and fitting end. He deserves nothing less.
What about the writers, producers, and crew you’ve let down? Their jobs now uncertain if the show can’t fly without Hotch. All those faces you’ve worked with for over a decade… their families, their livelihoods… what do you say to them besides the ‘thank you’ that you offered in your statement? ‘Thank you’ doesn’t put food in the mouths of babes.
So yeah, I’m angry. But because of Hotch, I do wish you the best moving forward, and I hope this has been a hard but effective lesson. Because of Hotch, I may even keep an eye out for where you end up. But my beloved show is irreparably damaged, and we’ve only got one person to ‘thank’ for that.
You.
Very well put and all you have said is in line with the feelings that I have had over this unfortunate turn of events.
Mine is a uniquely different perspective, which I too just posted. Interesting…
There are always two sides to this, the ones that blame him, and the one that blame CBS. I blamed CBS for this, until I realized, it was also Thomas’s fault for this. I will always play both fields, write from an unbiased point of view, and even though CBS was the one that fired him, I will agree that he was the one who brought this on to himself. So yeah, I’m angry at CBS, but I’m also angry at Thomas for making this happen. Because of Hotch, I will be looking forward to your next project, but the show has changed to complex levels. I don’t know what to say except, people grow and change, but sometimes, they can’t leave what they left behind.
Well said.
I don’t condone what Thomas did and understand why CBS/ABC Studios fired him (especially if he had previous incidents), but many people have pointed out that it wasn’t until the news became public that they fired Thomas. Why didn’t they fire him sooner or right after the incident, especially if it wasn’t the first time it had happened? Heck, I think I read that at the TCA’s (the day before it was announced Thomas was suspended), Erica was talking about what to expect for Hotch’s stories this season. This was two days before he was fired. She could have just been saying that, but it seemed like she wasn’t expecting Thomas to be fired. Plus, he was with the rest of the cast for the opening credits photo shoot that same day (two days before he was fired). So it makes you wonder if they would have fired him if news hadn’t gotten out.
Again, not defending Thomas’s actions, it just seems like there are some questions with the timing and how it was handled. It seems like CBS/ABC had to save face once news got out and that’s why they fired him. Because it seems like the Criminal Minds cast and crew may not have been expecting it to happen. But who knows.
The investigation could have still been ongoing at that time, and it isn’t likely that they’d announce Thomas’s firing before the official decision on it came down. He was suspended immediately after it happened. I don’t agree that the timing was sketchy, there’s no way Erica was going to make a public statement prior to the official announcement. I think they did what they always do – no disclosure until its been set in stone.
Absolutely love Thomas Gibson on the show,So sad on what happened,wish Thomas received more help before he was let go,2 incidents but know one is a saint,know words how I feel.
Harsh but true. You put a lot of thought and heart into the letter. Very well said; I’m sad that Thomas lost his cool and I feel anger too. The show has forever been changed.
Thomas Gibson can’t undo what he did. I doubt he’s proud of himself, and I doubt he’s happy about the outcome. For all we know…which is only ever someone else’s report, no matter whom you are talking to from the show….he’s struggled with his temper for a long time. To have lost that struggle, yet again, is a tremendous disappointment, but to no one else more than to him.
Every human being can relate to struggling with the same faults, over and over again. Most of us are much better at pointing them out to ourselves, and have no need of others to recount them for us, no matter how much more satisfying an exercise. Thomas knows the fallout from his actions in a much more personal way than any of us will ever have to. Shaming isn’t helpful. Encouragement is.
Like you, and like so many others, I mourn the loss of Aaron Hotchner, and wish Thomas had taken better care of him. Just as I wish the writers and producers had taken better care of him, over the years. But, in the end, this isn’t a tragedy about a character. It’s a sad story of a human being whose shortcomings have been publicly displayed, and discussed, and opined over. I hope he is up to the task of apologizing to all those who deserve it, including all of the cast, crew and production staff, as well as the fans. But forgiveness doesn’t require apology. It requires only understanding, which comes with being human. So, in my book, he’s long since forgiven, and I’m rooting for him to win his internal battles.
Well said. Thank you for saying it, aMUSEment345.
Well said. I agree with many of your points.
It’s sad that Thomas couldn’t have handled the situation better and not let it get to the point that it got to. And I will miss Hotch.
Hopefully everyone can move past this and be okay. If Thomas needs help, hopefully he can get it.
I agree, I just wish that between all involved, that some kind of agreement could be reached and that he could get more help with the anger management issues and stay on the show with conditions that had to be met or, he would then, be let go. We all have issues and some need more help with theirs than others. Praying that all turns out well for Thomas Gibson and everyone else involved. We love Hotchner and want him to stay.
After a few days, I’ve become angry as well. But I’m not just angry at TG’s actions, as fans, I’m angry at our own actions as well.
No doubt TG had quite the large following, but I’m more upset that so many “fans” of the show are deciding to not watch anymore just because of it. Don’t kiss ass to every hardworking crew member/producer/writer/actor on the show and then abandon it during the tough times. You not only insult these people, you step on their livelihood. You step on the blood, sweat, and tears they put into their well-oiled machine for over 10 years. I have met a good number of crew members and I met them on a day where they were there for over 16 hour, from set up to break down. And not one of them complained about it. Not one of them was upset that they had to be back at it again in less than 8 hours.
And what of the other actors/characters? Don’t step on their talent as well, because while I think TG is a great actor and made Hotch who he is, none of the others were ever beneath him. None of the others were lower in talent where they could be expendable. To me, no character was ever expendable.
Our beloved show is in another tough time, and instead of being the supporting leg, they abandon ship. They abandon the hard work that was done and the even harder work yet to come. Calling people back in to rewrite and re-shoot scenes is not only costly in time, but costly in the wallet as well. And maybe the lot of those ditching out on CM don’t realize it, but I do. And where the money hits us the most will no doubt be in the renewal of contracts.
With news of the potential lawsuit coming to light, this makes me even more upset with TG. Instead of making sincere amends and urging fans to continue to watch a great show, he prepares for an attack. To me, this makes his public statement hypocritical and disrespectful to everyone he mentioned in it.
With that said, as more things come to light, I am very disappointed with TG and his actions. He has tainted the image of Hotch for me forever. While it sucks… a lot… I have to agree with the firing. I wouldn’t want the crew and actors to have to work with someone who only creates a volatile situation for those around him. I, for one, will continue to watch to the end. It’s like reading a book that went on for 12 years, only to stop. I want to know how this ends whether this be the last season, or 2, 3, 5 years down the road. I will continue to watch and appreciate what the other incredible talents bring to the table and not ruin the multiple episode return of our beloved Emily Prentiss. I will continue to appreciate everything everyone in the background does to make sure we get a complete episode.
Why?
Because I am a Criminal Minds fan.
I totally agree with every single word you’ve written. Very well thought out and well articulated. I will also continue to watch and support the rest of the wonderful cast.
I totally agree with what you said.
If it means anything, I NEVER gave any thought to not watching the show.
I will be watching until the very end.
I think that means a hell of a lot. It means a lot to the rest of the cast who work hard to bring our beloved characters to life. I think it means the world to the hard working crew who work 16 hour days without complaining to make sure we get the best episode possible. It means so much more than we could ever know.
Hear hear!
Enjoy . I will not be watching
Hello CM Fans!!!
First of all I’m from Spain and my English is not very good, but I will try to explain my point of view.
I have read your letter and, on the one hand, I think you’re right in some aspects, but, on the other hand, you have been too much critical with Thomas Gibson.
I agree with you that if Thomas kicked Virgil Williams he should be sanctioned, but the suspension for several episodes and no direct any episode in the Season 12 would have been enough.
However, CBS and ABC have decided to dismiss him from the show and I think it is a hasty and wrong decision for three main reasons:
Firstly, the Season 12 was going to have a very important Hotch’s story because of Mr. Scratch is going to show up again and now this story will not be the same; secondly, I have never heard a bad thing of Thomas Gibson from his castmates (remember the last episode that Thomas directed was “Derek” -11×16- and I don’t think that Shemar Moore wants that an aggressive and problematic person direct one of his most important episodes in the CM history); finally and most important, Thomas Gibson has been on the show from the beginning, so he, his character and all of us CM Fans deserve a proper goodbye for Hotch and for Thomas for all of these years.
I’m sorry for this too long message, but I wanted to share muy opinion with all of you and, of course, I respect all the different ideas, because we are here and in the rest of social media to talk about the TV show which we will love forever.
Thanks for reading!!!
I agree with you ! Why cant this just be settled amicably between Thomas Gibson, and Virgil Williams ? As well as CBS, and The Writer’s and any others directly involved. Why not employ a Mediator to litigate what has transpired between both parties, rather then destroy The Long 12 years of Storyline of Criminal minds. Not only has The rest of this ” Wonderful cast ” invested Years of Devotion to their Show, Though The Fans that have Supported this show, are left in the open now hanging on a thread. We are left to wonder if Criminal minds can survive without their ” Wonderful B.A.U. Cheif. ” People get into disagreements all the time, Though most are quickly resolved. Why a Show with such Fantastic, History, and Reviews Would Choose to not want to Just let these to Men reach an Agreement on their own, and come to a settlement and or also a Suspension For what has transpired, Rather Then Termination is beyond me ? Maybe there is just more to this story then they choose to let the Criminal Minds Fans know about ? It is Bad enough to deal with Our Wonderful Loss of The Great Shemar Moore.
So Please C.B.S. I beg of you to rethink your contract With Thomas, and also allow Both He, and Virgil to reach a monatary agreement, or some kind of Settlement between each of these two Gentlemen on their own. Thank-you for taking the time to consider my opinoin. Yours truely #CriminalMindsFanatic
I agree totally.I just can’t see the show can survive without Thomas Gibson, he is such an integral part of this show and i would love to see him back on the show.
I want to preface this by saying that I am not an apologist for Thomas. He did the wrong thing, and created, or contributed to, an unsafe atmosphere on set. He was wrong, and needs to pay the piper. I’m just not going to pile on. My remarks are in reference to those who have declared they will no longer watch the show. I think they are entitled to that decision. I do not support anyone’s nasty comments to the writer in question, nor to any of the brass associated with the show. But I have to fully support a decision to no longer watch, because I fully understand it.
People become fans of any program, including Criminal Minds, for a variety of reasons. Some are intrigued by the format, some the storylines, some the actors, and some the characters. Some come for one reason, and stay for another, some don’t. All are equally fans, and have equally contributed to its viewership. All are equally responsible for its still being on the air.
Probably each member of the cast, and each character, including those who’ve come and gone, can claim viewers who’ve watched solely because of their presence on screen. When that presence disappears, it’s entirely up to the fan if there is enough left to engage them—and to the show, to work hard on making that so.
TG, with his longevity on the show, has a large fan following. It’s just possible that the show owes some of its longevity to these particular fans. If the show hasn’t engaged them on any other level, they are free to decide to cease viewing. They don’t owe anything to anyone. It’s entertainment. If I am a Hotch fan, or a TG fan, and I am not entertained by anything more than his presence on screen, then his disappearance from my screen leaves me with no reason to watch. It’s not up to the fan to be ‘loyal’. It’s up to the show to capture and hold their interest while they do have them.
I say this as someone who will continue to watch. But I watch solely to see the character of Spencer Reid. Earlier in my tenure with the show, I found the whole product engaging, and my enjoyment wasn’t so Reid-dependent. With rare exception, that is no longer so. If Spencer Reid disappears, I will no longer be entertained, and I will no longer watch. And if there are many other people who feel the same way, it will not be disloyalty that affects viewership. It will be the product.
Maybe it’s an inherent problem in an aging show, who knows? What I do know is that there will still be a CBS Wednesday, 9 PM time slot to fill, and people needed to work on the production that fills it. None of the current crew were ever going to work on CM for the rest of their lives. They’ll just move on, as people always do.
I don’t think either side should be chastising anyone who continues, or does not continue, to watch. That’s a personal choice and should be.
That said, I understand the knee-jerk anger that comes with situations like the one all CM fans are facing right now. They care, they are invested. They want to be heard.
Whether you choose to watch or not, is your personal choice. Blasting it out and trying to sabotage a show by trying to turn your preference into a ‘movement’ of sorts, isn’t cool. Putting facts forth though, is always awesome.
I do wish Thomas had controlled himself too. Aaron Hotchner is one the most well written, fleshed out characters on any show, period. And one of the reasons is because Thomas played him very well. His passion for Hotch showed in his performance and it breaks my heart that he threw it all away.
That said, I do not think VIrgil Williams is innocent in this situation. The mere fact that he’s liking tweets about getting Thomas fired says it all. It takes two to tango and I have no problem believing that Virgil provoked Thomas.
Thomas may have been difficult to work with, we all have bad days. But I feel a suspension and pay cut would have sufficed considering the importance of Hotch’s role in the show and how it will affect the writing and other characters just to suddenly have him dissapear.
Even when Mandy left over creative differences, they still took time to write Gideon out the show. Same with AJ and Padget and Jeane and Jennifer.
The goodbyes were sometimes last minute and rushed, but there was always a goodbye. And it kills me that we won’t get any goodbye for Hotch, a central original character we’ve all loved for 11 seasons. It just…doesn’t even compute.
I became a fan of this show, not really because of the creepy serial killers, but because of the amazing BAU team who work together to understand them.
The draw of this show was always how the BAU deal with the horrible job they have, how the job affects their personal lives.
I always loved the BAU family unit. It’s been difficult since Emily left, but now with Derek and Aaron gone? The show will probably get axed mid-season now.
Who’s gonna watch?
Provocation is zero excuse for assault. You mind yourself, you DO NOT strike out at another person in anger and put your hands (or in this case, your foot) on them. That is NOT okay. Regardless of what provocation ensued.
I agree with most of your post, but the fact that Virgil may or may not be ‘innocent’? Has absolutely nothing to do with the end result. The fact that they argued does not in any way excuse Thomas’s behavior. At all.
Erica Messer was there. She witnessed it. Thomas was fired, Virgil had zero discipline. That should tell you everything pertinent you need to know.
Im severely mad. There’s no need to fire the man. Go on with the suspension there’s no need to get rid of him. The show will lose ratings. Since Shemar Moore had left there is no need to keep getting rid of the original actors
Uh huh. Have you read anything? Anything at all as to what actually happened? Do that, please.
Well said, Tari. I’ve been a Thomas Gibson fan since his “Dharma and Greg” days but I can’t excuse using physical violence against another person. It seems that this wasn’t the first time, according to some reports. I’ll continue to watch the show because for me it is about the group as a whole and the core group is still there. I think we’ve been spoiled because, for the most part, the group has stayed together for all these seasons. Most shows that have been on even half as long usually have actors that come and go or recast. We have survived Emily leaving – and JJ for awhile – and even Derek. I will give the writers, producers, showrunner, actors and crew time to weather this storm and come through with an even stronger show.
Thanks, samatwitch! I hear you. The team are my Scoobies right now, and have been for a long, long time. I’ll miss Aaron, I even watched 100 the other night in tribute… but Thomas has cast a very large shadow over the wonderful character he played for so long. I, like you, cannot condone or handwave away the physical violence he used against Virgil.
But I’m sure our show will weather this storm and come out not only intact, but improved. I’m excited to see what they have in store for us!
I’m still watching.
If they write it well, they could really rejuvenate the show with a properly done exit storyline for Hotch. (even if, regrettably, he himself won’t be taking part in it). CM survived Mandy leaving, Paget leaving, coming back and leaving again, Shemar leaving. Done correctly, it could survive Thomas leaving too.
Obviously, Reid is my favourite, but honestly, I think the show could survive Matthew leaving too. Not that that is happening any time soon………
Matthew leaving? Bite your tongue! 😉
another thing… it really disheartens me to see this ‘no hotch no watch’ thing happening on twitter etc. The show is about ALL of them, not just Hotch. These people are not Criminal Minds fans, they’re Hotch, or TG fans.
I won’t lie, I’m a huge MGG fan. I love Reid. But I love the show. ‘No Hotch? I’ll still watch”
Originally, I had a long response penned and deleted it because, well, no one but me would have read it anyway. I do offer empathy to the longstanding fans of this show. I just started watching recently and missed most of the drama related to the cast of this show until now.
I am a fan of TG as well as SSA Aaron Hotchner. Luckily, the fandom for this show is great and I am sure I will be able to find a “happily ever after” for Hotch there. As for TG, he has been pretty much on television for the better part of 20 years and should have cultivated a pretty firm “mask” to keep on. To have it ripped from him is likely a sign of other issues. Maybe there is some burn out. Maybe there is some personal struggles he’s been going through. Celebrities go through intense scrutiny. You are a hero one moment and then a villain and then back to a hero.
I do want to clear up that I don’t believe the phrasing of the altercation as “violent” is warranted. While there may be some basis for simple battery (contact, but no damage) or assault (typically applied when physical evidence cannot prove contact), the term “violence” should still remain in cases where someone is actually injured. To do otherwise belittles the term. “Violence erupts in Middle East” for example should not follow an article about three years old kicking old ladies in the shin at a park. The articles I have read all indicate Mr. Williams was not hurt. Prosecution likelihood is zero. That would be like prosecuting someone who elbows you to the front of the line at a crowded bar or prosecuting a woman who throws her drink at some guy’s face. A civil suit would likely fail as well because, as I stated, no damages.
That all being said, it is the network’s prerogative to take someone off their show if they don’t want them on there anymore. Legally, TG may have a case for breach of contract. If he chooses to not pursue it, it will likely be because he has a longstanding relationship with CBS and ABC and does not wish to burn any bridges.
I secretly think that CBS saw this incident as an opprotunity to cut a high-paid actor from their show without catching flack for not renewing his contract (as they did with PB and AJC), test how the show does without him and if it fails, bring him back and then they are the “good guys” in giving him another chance. Unless, of course, they kill off Hotch. I don’t know. I won’t be watching, but hiding in the fandom community instead.
Sorry…this ended up long again. =/
Finally, a CM fan who gets it. I can’t believe all the comments I’ve been reading (a few on this post!) elsewhere that Thomas shouldn’t’ve been fired or that this was some sort of network “thing” (aka conspiracy) to get rid of TG. If they wanted to get rid of him, they’d break his contract and pay him out. No need for an elaborate plot!
To everyone who says “it was just a kick” “it wasn’t violence”. Okay. Imagine going into your work, you have an argument with a co-worker and they kick you. Since it’s not violence and just a kick, you’re not going to complain about it, not going to feel threatened? Yeah, right. That other person may or may not be fired, it depends on the situation–is this a first offense or a second? They deserve a reprimand at the very least and it should be on their record. Or, if you have children–and your young child was kicked at school by another–pretty sure you’d consider that violence as well and want something done to the one who kicked your child.
This was the second time TG had gotten physical with a crew member that we know of; there were probably, given he was fired this time, other incidents–perhaps not of a physical nature–that we are not privy too. Consider that saying that it wasn’t violence/just a kick plays into blaming the victim, too. And ask yourself, if he’d kicked Erica, instead, would you still feel it wasn’t violent? Then why is it okay for him to kick a man? Oh, wait, it’s not.
If you want to support TG that’s fine, but at least admit he did something wrong, because he did. This whole thing really bothers me because something similar happened in another fandom I’m in last year: one of the stars punched a producer and people still felt his network was wrong in firing him; they also felt he hadn’t really done anything wrong. I’m seeing a similar pattern emerge wrt TG and it’s disturbing.
It makes me sad that this happened–Hotch was always my fave and I enjoyed TG as well (and probably still will in the future, but with an awareness that he’s a problematic fave). I doubt I’ll watch CM once Hotch is gone–I wasn’t enjoying the show as much lately as I used to. Losing my fave and having my absolute least fave (Prentiss) come back for several eps–final nails in the coffin. That’s not to say I won’t ever watch it again, but it certainly won’t be a show I’ll be as eager to check out. However, I do hope the show continues–and given the past storms its weathered, I think it’ll manage to get by this one too.
As Tari said, there’s one person to blame here and one person responsible: Thomas Gibson; thank you, Tari, for your sane and sensible post.
When I read this part about the rest of the cast:
“And what of your co-stars? You’ve left them in the unenviable position of having to say a jarring, permanent, and unprepared-for goodbye to their fellow actor and friend, whose character has been their BAU Unit Chief all these years. How do you make that okay for them?”
I thought of what happened with Mandy in season 3. When Mandy left, many wondered if the show would survive. They were left in a terrible and awkward position of whether they would still have a job or should start looking for something else. But they pulled through and were strong and came back better than ever. I think I remember reading that Thomas was a big part of this. He encouraged and assured everyone that they would be okay and would make it work.
And now, nine years later, it’s Thomas’s actions that could jeopardize the show. Sad to think that last time they were in this situation, it was Thomas who was the rock that was holding everyone together. But now he’s the reason for the tension and the reason it could fall apart.
I don’t hate Thomas. But I don’t condone what he did. While we may not know the truth and some of the timing and details we’ve been given may not add up, I still understand why Thomas was let go. It’s just sad for the fans who have loved this show and his character for so long.
I will continue to watch and hope they can pull through again like they did in season 3. It’ll probably be more difficult this time, but there’s a chance they can do it. I’m not going to give up and will just wait to see what happens.
I hope everyone can move on and hopefully make amends with everything that happened. I hope for apologies and forgiveness, but it’s still probably too soon for everything to become 100% calm.
And if Thomas needs help, I hope he gets it. I don’t know him or what issues he may or may not have. We can only go off what we’ve been told. If he has anger issues, hopefully he can work on those. If he has a drinking problem hopefully he can get help. But again, I don’t know him and only he knows what is best for himself.
I’ve read he had to take anger management classes after he allegedly shoved that producer in 2010. I also read that it was only 8 hours. If that’s true, maybe they should have required more than 8 hours. But again, I don’t know these people or 100% of the stories.
Again, I just hope everyone will eventually move on from this.
Well said!
Co-signed, and thank you. I’m not remotely happy with how CBS has handled this matter- to save face rather than be responsible, and I’ve said and still say that I wish the door could be open for Thomas to return IF he was able to address his issues. I wish him the best, and I’m glad to see him reaching out on social media, but I’m troubled by how he’s never taken a form of responsibility for what happened here. I’m still more troubled by the “No Hotch, No Watch” campaign, which has, in essence, taken their anger over a man being punished for his actions and turned into a conflict that puts the show in even greater danger of cancellation, ending the jobs of countless people earlier than what should be. There are two sides to the story, and yet another thing I’m upset about is not hearing of consequences for everyone involved, but ire over someone not being (publicly) punished does not make it wrong for someone else to have been punished. CBS screwed up in so many ways that I’m overwrought with frustration, but to say there wasn’t reason for a firing is being willfully ignorant. I’m glad to see others understand that.
Reading Thomas Gibson’s explanation makes a lot of sense to me. I, for one love this show but will no longer watch it. Hotch was the sound mind, the listener the final decision maker in most stories. He bought a sense of leadership and direction [as any good boss does] There is no one else who can carry that off.
Makes “a lot of sense”?? Thomas’s ‘side’ of things is nothing more than an appeal for more ego-stroking from clueless fans who can’t separate Hotch from the actor who plays him, and a continuation of the lie he’s manufactured.
You can’t possibly be serious. He actually says that Virgil ‘ran into his leg’, and that it was all a misunderstanding. He suggests that the big, mean network was wrong to have fired him because he’s such a nice guy. “Nice guys” don’t attack and berate their co-workers.
Not one witness came forward on his behalf. Not ONE. They all said he assaulted Virgil, period. Just because you want to see Hotch doesn’t negate WHAT HE DID! How many times does this have to be repeated before you enablers stop making excuses for him!?
You don’t want to watch? FINE. You want to abandon the show because THIS MAN’S ACTIONS took Hotch away from us? Then you’re a Thomas Gibson fan, NOT a Criminal Minds fan, and no, you DON’T “love the show”.
We have already read Thomas Gibson’s versión and we can believe it or not. But I would like to hear the version from someone on the show (for example, a executive producer or any other person), because they have told nothing.
The statement from CBS and ABC isn’t enough for us CM Fans. We should know the two versions (TG’s version and show’s version) and we might get our own conclusions.
And why do you say: “Not one witness came forward on his behalf. Not ONE. They all said he assaulted Virgil”. Reading the Gibson’s version, I think that the witnesses are his castmates and some members of the crew and I think no one say nothing because they don’t want to lose their jobs.
Of course I will be watching the show until the end.
I am (was) a criminal minds fan from day one, when other actors have come ,gone and come back again. Do not put words in my mouth. I want to see the actor who has held the show together and provides leadership to a very diverse team.
Okay, I know that it was extremely hard for everyone to see Thomas Gibson go, but you don’t ever give up on a show by the snap of your fingers. The show is an ensemble, albeit, not the same ensemble as SVU or NCIS. Everybody has a part, but you can’t just say “Well I’m giving up on the show because *insert actor here* left/was fired.”
Not one statement will be enough for us. Every show has their ups and downs, but it still keeps going on. I want to see TG too, but he kicked a person in the leg. That is something that can not be forgotten or forgiven very easily. I don’t get the probability of someone just ran into someone’s leg and then suddenly kicking them. It is not how it works, even when both sides are at fault.
We don’t know the whole story, and if you are going to go off of one account; that is very ignorant of you. Not all of us will ever agree with you; as with Tari and a few others. Here is a certain fact, Thomas kicked a person out of his own volition, and if you are going to do the “No Hotch, No Watch” thing, that is fine by me. If you don’t agree with me, fine, I don’t care.
What I care about, and what most of the fans want is the show to make something great. There is that vocal minority (in my opinion) that says that they won’t watch the show anymore. I get it, you’re upset, but petitions and Twitter protests will not get TG back. The show will have an awkward footing without Hotch, but they have to move on.
No one is trying to put words in your mouth. We are all stating our opinion, and as Rmg Gmr stated, we should know both sides of the story and draw our own conclusions from there. We all should be civil of our own opinions, even when the fandom is still very turbulent. If you can’t respect everyone’s opinions, then just keep your words to yourself.
I know you want to see Hotch lead; I won’t argue with that, but we can’t just drop the show immediately. But we will have a strong leader, a unit chief that will be able to lead the team with a diplomatic and experienced hand. We have seen people come and go, but we can’t just leave it be. You may be a fan, but you can’t be a CM fan if you are willing to leave the show just like that. Devotion, if you can call it that, runs deep, down to the soul, not just to the skin. Leave the show to be and the rest of us will still watch it. Whether you like it or not.
Also, I wouldn’t call the show all that diverse, but that’s just my opinion.
Anyway, long reply over.
This site is for Criminal Minds FANS, Joan. I run it, I own it, and I work hard on it. If you’re coming here to spout idiocy and rail how you “won’t watch any more” (seriously, no one cares), or to order me around, then you aren’t welcome here. Go make your own site.
Thank you for saying that Tara …I have said almost the same thing many times on twitter….and the repsonses given to me are ….I’m an ostrich with my head stuck in the sand for not being able to see the conspiracy of it all …… and also that I share a brain cell with a friend who dared defend the show ….. that 2nd one to me says a lot about the protesters ….They are so proud when their #’s do better than #criminal minds does …. the difference there is that the true fans have much more interesting lives and things to do than to sit on a computer or phone and retweeting everything with their # on … I was always under the impression that it was the viewer ratings that counted not some silly #’s and from what I can gather so far is that the ratings are holding steady. …. I LOVE Criminal Minds and I WILL continue watching it to the end …
Oh and I forgot to say that after being call names ..I was then blocked by them haha
All witnesses, including cast and crew were interviewed in-depth by HR. Frankly I’m surprised they didn’t call the police (at least to our knowledge).
If you can’t bring Hotch back, then consider somehow bringing Gideon back or Hotch’s hot brother as lead of the team.
Well, Emily is Unit Chief now, so there’s that.
Gideon’s dead.
Sean Hotchner has zero FBI experience and is kind of a screw-up.
How bout we wait and see how the team rounds out? Next episode brings in the new agent from the BAP!