“Criminal Minds” has been one of the most popular shows of all time since it originally premiered in September 2005. It continues to earn an overwhelming fanbase throughout the years but when the producers started its insane cast shake-ups, the show’s ratings started to significantly decline. Most fans claim that the termination of Thomas Gibson, who played Aaron Hotchner, is the main factor of the show’s waning ratings. To this date, the actor’s avid fans are still going strong with their continued boycott of not watching the show.
When Season 13 premiered, fans took to social media to prove their strength in numbers.
The show lost millions of viewers
On September 27, “Criminal Minds” Season 13 premiered with the episode titled “Wheels Up” that revealed the fate of Hotch and his son Jack (Cade Owens). Unfortunately, the show lost roughly two million viewers with only seven million fans, who stay tuned to the season premiere. Season 12’s first showing earned 8.92 million viewers, which is more than one million less in Season 11. Apparently, it’s an indication that the cast rotation has caused the show’s tumultuous declining ratings. Most Gibson fans claim it’s all because of their continued campaign to quit watching the show.
#NoHotchNoWatch continues
Immediately after Gibson’s termination, fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment and even started a massive #NoHotchNoWatch to support the actor. They also tried to file a petition in an attempt to get him back on the show, but that too still falls on deaf ears. For them, the show will never be the same without him, who’s one of the show’s biggest cornerstones.
One fan recently said that the show deserves the low ratings and that is because Gibson was “wrongly fired” and was mistreated. The hashtag #WeAreStillStanding has also been making rounds on the Internet when the actor’s cessation turned one year in August 2017.
Since TG was wrongly fired, you lost 3 million viewers and scored all time low demo. Well deserved#NoHotchNoWatch #WeNeedThomasGibson pic.twitter.com/qYlwGrK8g1
— Elizabeth perry (@Lizp3518) October 19, 2017
In case your wondering where all your viewers went. 😂😂#NoHotchNoWatch #WeNeedThomasGibson pic.twitter.com/VB8MwAeipU
— Elizabeth perry (@Lizp3518) October 19, 2017
Can I have these men and these smiles every day in my life? @ImThomasGibson #thomasgibson #NoHotchNoWatch @JoeMantegna #CriminalMinds pic.twitter.com/busNqmyWu7
— Graziella (@mentalmovies) October 20, 2017
Fans are becoming more furious
Next week, Agent Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) is set to return to the show to help the BAU team resolve a high-profile case.
The cannibalistic serial killer Floyd Feylinn Ferell (Jamie Kennedy), who used to own a BBQ restaurant in Bridgewater, Florida that served the human flesh, is back in action. Recently, Peter Lewis a.k.a Mr. Scratch (Bodhi Elfman) caused turmoil when he returned although he finally met his demise. Daniel Henney, who played Agent Matt Simmons on the cancelled spin-off “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders” has finally returned to the show.
Apparently, old characters have returned and more will be returning to “Criminal Minds” but the hope of having Thomas Gibson back remains zilch. For most fans, his return would change a lot to the show’s ratings. What’s your hunch?
