'Criminal Minds' Episode 06.12 Reveals Agent Hotchner's Replacement BAU Chief & Thomas Gibson's Send-Off

"Criminal Minds" Episode 06.12 "Elliott's Pond" reveals the fate of Agent Hotchner in the series. Of course, "Criminal Minds" fans know that Thomas Gibson was dismissed following a 2-week suspension after an altercation with a writer and producer due to creative differences on a particular script.

Finally, "Criminal Minds" fans are getting the closure they've long been wanting. The second episode marked Thomas Gibson's final appearance in the series, and in the latest episode "Elliott's Pond," they finally wrote out Agent Hotch. In Episode 16 of "Criminal Minds" scene with Agent Rossi and Agent Prentiss, Rossi let the news out that Hotch isn't on a special assignment. Rather, he was under witness protection program with his son Jack after learning that Mr. Scratch was spotted at one of Jack's soccer games.

So, who is taking over the BAU? While Derek Morgan would've been a good fit for the position, who took over the BAU for quite some time in previous seasons, Shemar Moore left the series in season 11. With Agent Rossi rather uninterested with paper works, there's only one perfect good fit in the BAU - Emily Prentiss. Emily Prentiss left "Criminal Minds" a few seasons back, but her Interpol experience, toughness, and wit made her the perfect BAU team leader.

At first, however, Prentiss wasn't ecstatic with the news, hesitant to take on such a cumbersome job. J. J. Jarreau convinced her along with Spencer Reid, and with this tandem, they probably take no for an answer. She ultimately took the job.

The duration of 12-season "Criminal Minds" is taking a toll on the series. Derek Morgan leaving the previous season made an impact with the series' ratings, plus the dismissal of Thomas Gibson, the ratings had quite fallen a bit. But fans might hope to see Agent Hotchner in the future. He is merely in a witness protection program - maybe someday, if his absence affects the ratings, the BAU can catch Mr. Scratch and all will be well again.

"Criminal Minds" new episodes air every Wednesday 9:00PM ET on CBS.