The Thomas Gibson ‘Army Is Standing Firm’ And So Apparently is CBS: The ‘Criminal Minds’ #NoHotchNoWatch Boycott
The Thomas Gibson fans’ protest of Criminal Minds continues with #NoHotchNoWatch, #StillMissingHotch, #GibsonStrong, #NeverForgetHotch, #ThomasGibson, #MissingHotch, and many other very active hashtags. CBS, ABC Studios, and Disney, however, don’t seem to be budging on their position not to rehire Gibson. Who can hold out the longest?
As Criminal Minds ratings plummet, Thomas Gibson fans are enjoying themselves over on twitter. They are bonding with each other and have created a very cohesive organization. Sure, they are angry about Thomas being fired, and they miss him, but at least they have each other. They also have Gibson himself tweeting to them occasionally. They plan to hold out for the duration.
Gibson’s Army is standing firm! #NoHotchNoWatch #NeverForgetHotch
— Zoey (@Zoey_1976) November 10, 2016
You’re one in a million, (baby you’re the one) One in a million & second to none.
A million to one. #NeverForgetHotch #NoHotchNoWatch pic.twitter.com/CjHrcktxje— leckybecky (@leckybecky123) November 10, 2016
Thomas Gibson has played the role of Aaron Hotchner, affectionately called “Hotch” in every single episode of Criminal Minds’ 12 season history until he was fired early in Season 12. Fans say his firing was unfair and they won’t stand for that. They have raised a Twitter army to defend Gibson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53f6l_ZVvy0
Thomas Gibson told his side of the story to People about a month ago. Fans feel that his firing is completely unjust. In addition to the twitter protests, there are several petitions being circulated on Change.org.
Thomas Gibson and Criminal Minds co-producer and writer Virgil Williams had an altercation on July 26, over what at least should have been a relatively minor disagreement about a line. Gibson maintains in his statements to People, that he was not the aggressor in the situation with Williams, and further, it was not a really big issue at the time.
“We were shooting a scene late one night when I went to Virgil and told him there was a line that I thought contradicted an earlier line. He said, ‘Sorry, it’s necessary, and I absolutely have to have it.’ “
Thomas Gibson walked away at that point, according to People, returning to a spot on the set where his fellow cast members were standing. He was telling them what Williams said when Williams came toward him, allegedly storming toward Thomas.
“He [Virgil Williams] came into that room and started coming towards me. As he brushed past me, my foot came up and tapped him on the leg. If I hadn’t moved, he would have run into me. 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.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zww_9d7iW0k
Thomas Gibson and Virgil Williams of Criminal Minds are both healthy, strong, adult men. If they had really wanted to fight someone would have been hurt. Virgil Williams is a boxer who enjoys contact sports. Gibson is also in good shape. Logically if this had been any sort of real fight, there would be bruises or even broken bones, but obviously, that was not the case at all. No one was hurt.
Thomas Gibson maintains that the kick was actually an accidental reflex as he was trying to get out of Williams’ way. Virgil says he was kicked, but never claimed he was injured. So what is the real issue here? Why is the studio willing to destroy a successful show with a long history over something that small and silly. Nobody actually fought and no one was hurt.
GibsonArmy Roll Call!!! Shout out People!
RT for your support of #NoHotchNoWatch #NeverForgetHotch
— Phoenix Rising (@bnbreilly) November 10, 2016
We stand for integrity of a human being who put his heart and soul into a character #NoHotchNoWatch #NeverForgetHotch
— ThomasgibsonfansCAN (@thomasgibsonfa2) November 10, 2016
There is no BAU team without its leader!#NoHotchNoWatch #NeverForgetHotch
— NoHotch,NoCM! (@KittiesRules) November 10, 2016
Criminal Minds Producers, ABC Studios and CBS have not made any move to rehire Thomas Gibson. In light of the ratings, it seems strange that they have not reconsidered their decision. There are tens of thousands of angry former fans of the show on twitter, but there are a couple of million former viewers that have not really commented, other than by not watching Criminal Minds anymore.
Don’t Criminal Minds and Thomas Gibson fans matter to producers and network CEOs? Since when do major television networks not care in the least bit about ratings, or boycotts? It is unclear who made the decision to let Gibson go, but one wonders who would have to change their mind to bring him back.
As for Thomas Gibson fans and Criminal Minds protesters, it seems to be a matter of right and wrong. They determinedly stick by Gibson because they don’t feel he deserves to be fired. Everyone has to have some boundaries and apparently, unjustly firing Thomas from their favorite Crime Drama is the last straw for these people. They have drawn the line here and won’t watch until Hotch is back.
RELATED REPORTS BY THE INQUISITR
Thomas Gibson Fans Continue To Boycott ‘Criminal Minds’ At #NoHotchNoWatch At 9 P.M. Wednesdays
Why Not Rehire Thomas Gibson? Will ABC Studios Decide To Save Criminal Minds?
Who Fired Thomas Gibson From ‘Criminal Minds’? The #NoHotchNoWatch Boycott Continues
Thomas Gibson Fans Continue To Boycott ‘Criminal Minds’: Why Are They So Loyal?
Thomas Gibson was first suspended and then fired, during the filming of Season 12 Episode 2. Gibson has not been seen on episode three through five according to TV Fanatic.
Thomas Gibson of Criminal Minds has an army of loyal fans ready to fight for him, but does CBS, or ABC care?
[Featured Image by Helga Esteb/Shutterstock]
