The concept of cast and characters in TV series contributing to its success has been proved this time. When the series protagonist Thomas Gibson of Criminal Minds was fired from the show, there was resentment and disappointment, but no one really knew that Criminal Minds Season 12 will experience a gradual collapse after the withdrawal of Gibson.
According to Parent Herald, fans of the crime based series, Criminal Minds are boycotting the TV series after the show's production team decided to fire Thomas Gibson. This actually means that Criminal Minds Season 12 might be the last instalment.
The possibility of its future instalment is still up in the air. After a decade of providing jaw-dropping, sensational criminal scenes, Season 12 could actually mean a permanent full stop for the series. The attachment Thomas Gibson's fans bears is not to be undermined.
The same happened when Shemar Moore (Derek Morgan) on the show decided to call it quits, leaving in the fans in an utter state of frenzy as it was believed that Criminal Minds won't be the same anymore.
Just after the departure of Shemar Moore, many believed that Criminal Minds won't sustain for too long. However, it managed to rise above many of the other police procedural series as it was accompanied by other cast members such as Matthew Gubler, Kristen Vangsness and Thomas Gibson. The tables turned when Thomas Gibson was forced to leave the show after a physical altercation that happened with the series crew.
Thomas Gibson, who plays the lead role of Aaron Hotchner was entangled in a conflict with the series' writers Virgil Williams. The physical tussle resulted in Thomas Gibson being permanently removed from the show.
Reports stated that Thomas Gibson filed a lawsuit for his dismissal from the show. However, his lawyers warned that it will take a lot of years before the situation rests to a conclusion. Despite that, Aaron Hotchner's fans are there to support him by boycotting the show.
Criminal Minds Season 12 boycott has rendered the hashtag campaign generated by most of the fans. #NoHotchNoWatch, #SupportThomasGibson, #ThankYouThomasGibson, #WeSupportThomasGibson are all examples of the hashtags.
According to The Wrap, "Criminal Minds" fell 11 percent among total viewers versus Season 10, from a 14.281 million episodic average to 12.763 million. That trajectory probably won't reverse as the show gets even older and sheds fan favorites along the way.
Even though new cast members are added in Criminal Minds Season 12, the void left behind by Thomas Gibson is still very much felt. If the situation is not addressed, it is possible that the current Criminal Minds Season 12 might not get renewed, or in a worst case scenario, the current ongoing season might get cancelled.
