The very moment a sparkling star lost its radiance, it also kills off hope painfully. Little by little, it erases the beauty and essence of its existence and the joy it brings to many.
This says true with the shocking turn of events that transpired in the famous drama “Criminal Minds.”
Series main actor Thomas Gibson and producer/writer Virgil Williams notably had an altercation about a particular line in the show’s plot. Gibson asked Williams to make the necessary changes as he was the one tasked to pen that particular episode. Williams refused and Gibson walked away.
From there, the incident looked simple but with the reported aggressiveness of Williams, the writer was described as the initial instigator of the commotion.
“It wasn’t like [Gibson] punched him. Williams is a boxer and a martial artist, he’s no angel. He can be very aggressive. [Williams] got very aggressive, so Thomas walked away and then he felt like the guy was coming after him. He turned around and kicked just on instinct, like a reflex” said an anonymous witness.
The instant reflex released by Gibson can be likened to a self-defense. The veteran actor was able to protect himself from further physical harm but it led to his termination on the popular series.
Last month, he openly discussed the ugly event that kicked him out of CBS’crime drama. He expressed his sentiments about the soap’s decision and admitted that the viral kick was unintentional.
"I feel like it took years to make a good reputation and a minute to damage it. We had some choice words, for which I apologized the next day, and that was it. It was over. We shot the scene, I went home - and I never got to go back," explained Thomas.
His absence on the thriller program that premiered in 2005 deeply affected his strong followers. The hashtags #NoHotchNoWatch, #SupportThomasGibson and #MissingHotch to name a few have been making rounds in the web to cry out loud their disappointment on the end of Aaron Hotchner’s character incredibly played by Gibson for more than a decade. The avid fans are serious in boycotting “Criminal Minds.” The decline in viewership of the action series is blamed for Gibson’s dismissal.
ABC and CBS are yet to release their official statements about the issues especially on the alleged re-hiring of Thomas in the show. There are chances that the 54-year old actor will reprise his role. A report noted that the cast and crew of “Criminal Minds” share a close relationship.
“The cast and crew are a very solid, tight-knit family … I’m sure it’s going to be resolved, [Gibson and Virgil] will post a photo together … they’ve known each other for 12 years, and they’re together for 12 hours a day. Things happen,” a source said.
The possibility of Thomas' return to “Criminal Minds” is strengthened by last week’s episode that showed Hotchner is still alive and in the witness protection program along with his son. It is noteworthy that his character was not killed. At least in the perspective of a script, Hotchner is still alive and this fact gives his supporters a ray of hope.
But the writers aren’t the one deciding for his comeback. The big decision ultimately comes from the top management that involves the honchos of ABC and CBS. The fans aren’t powerless at all; their voices are heard and hopefully, the desires of their hearts will come to fruition.
