Hashtags such as #SillMissingHotch and #NoHotchNoWatch still trend on social media and the rumor that Gupton might be replacing Gibson did not receive welcoming responses. The replacement was hinted at with Emily Prentiss suggesting that the team might require Mr. Scratch’s, the man who has been targeting Hotch and his son Jack. This is also justified as the reason behind Hotch’s absence after giving the reason of him having left for another assignment.
Fans came ahead and reacted rather negatively to this as well saying that it wasn’t a realistic storyline. Reading from Hotch’s character, he would have never left his team members so abruptly. There have been times where Hotch was personally attacked, but his team has always been by the side. They have constantly helped him get hold of the killers unlike now.
Another reason for the hike in the ratings is expected to be due to the winter finale coming up. Around this time, viewers tune in more often to check of the storyline would stick to the one it started out with or will it change in the episodes to come. They expect to find information about the old and new characters on the show.