5 Criminal Minds scenes that scream: Hotch was THAT guy

Aaron Hotchner, or "Hotch," portrayed by Thomas Gibson in Criminal Minds, was the BAU’s authoritative leader who was smart and knew how to handle difficult situations. He is not pretentious, and there are moments in the show that absolutely scream that he was THAT guy in Criminal Minds. A quiet, alpha man, also the team's backbone and ultimate protector.

Here are 5 iconic Hotch moments that prove exactly that.

Here is why Hotch is THAT guy in Criminal Minds

1. When Hotch cleans Elle's blood silently

In one of the criminal mind's episodes, 'The Fisher King', one of the show’s first truly memorable unsubs, the team is sent on a cerebral chase filled with riddles and puzzles. The case takes a dark turn when he personally targets Elle Greenaway, shooting her in her own home in the final moments of Season 1.

In Season 2, Elle survives, but the trauma of the event stays with her — and with the team. While Hotch is cleaning Elle's blood, though it's a mundane act, it speaks about his unflinching loyalty and how he is the protector of the team. Cleaning up after an attack on a teammate is something he could have left to a crime scene crew. But instead, he does it himself, a silent act of care and solidarity.

2. When Hotch looked out for Emily at her lowest

The Criminal Minds Season 4 episode “Demonology” portrays Emily Prentiss as the emotional and ethical center. The episode further explores her bond with Hotch, especially when personal pain intertwines with professional duty. The episode features the death of Prentiss's close friend, who was once addicted to heroin but recovered. But later dies of natural causes, which Emily suspects is not the whole truth.

This kicks off an investigation into a series of deaths where former addicts are being killed by a priest under the guise of exorcising demons. For Emily, it's not just another case — it's a deeply personal mission for justice. Therefore, her personal connection with the case bothered the BAU, but Hotch always looked out for her.

3. When Hotch kills Foyet

In one of the episodes of the show, Foyet,a formidable killer, confronts Hotch after killing Haley and reveals that he is about to kill Jack too. This leaves the chief officer infuriated, and he knocks the killer out while the BAU team tries to stop him. He later resorted to crying his heart out in a heartwrenching moment. This depicts his connection with his family, finding his ex-wife and son in danger.

4. When Hotch becomes the superhero for his son

In season 6, after the demise of Haley, Hotch fulfilled his responsibility towards Jack and never blamed himself for the act of a killer. In one of the Halloween episodes, his son Jack, leaving his Spider-Man costume, decides to dress up like his dad, depicting how Hotch is the real superhero for him. Hotch and his relationship with his son are truly irreplaceable in the show.

5. When Hotch eats Dinner with Garcia after an exhausting case

In Season 4, Episode 13 (“Bloodline”), after an intense case, Garcia is understandably shaken by the trauma, and she offers to make Hotch a “vegetarian omelette". Instead of brushing her off or retreating into his usual emotional distance, Hotch’s response is simple yet touching: he just asks,

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“Do you have jalapeños?”

Hotch’s character was defined by the balance between professionalism and vulnerability. His position as a leader in the BAU demanded emotional control, but his caring nature often peeked through in these small acts of kindness. This totally makes him THAT guy in Criminal Minds.

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