‘Criminal Minds’ Season 12 Episode 2 Recap, Spoilers: Is This Hotchner’s Official Goodbye?

"Criminal Minds" Season 12 Episode 2 saw J.J. telling her husband Will about the abduction case that quite affected her. However, fans have been waiting for this "Criminal Minds" episode to see how Aaron Hotchner will leave the show but it seems that there is no official goodbye.

J.J and Luke Alvez along with the BAU team had to resolve a case in Los Angeles where bodies of two children were burned in an abandoned building. "Criminal Minds" BAU team had to check on the area where the kids were last seen and initially thought that the cases are not related. However, when the UnSub captured another 16-year-old girl, the team started to suspect again.

It was then revealed that the girl was Francesca, a daughter of a woman named Renee. Francesca has a brother named Roberto who was sick that day so he was not able to go with her sister to school which they usually do. "Criminal Minds" BAU team was then able to identify that the UnSub is a pyromaniac who burns children to death. Then they found out that the UnSub's next target is Roberto.

The UnSub was able to force himself into Renee's house to kidnap Roberto. Then Hotchner asked Penelope Garcia to identify who has been arrested for Arson, those who has siblings, have fire-related jobs and those that are in the neighboring locations. They were able to identify John David Bates from Nevada who once burned their house with his 14-year-old sister locked inside. John was 12 years old back then so he ended up in a foster care system. Two years ago, he tried to reconnect with his sister but she rejected John. This caused John to kill and burn children in San Diego on "Criminal Minds"

J.J. and Alvez then rushed to where John was but they were a bit late as the building was already burning while the children were chained to the beds. J.J. as able to save Roberto but was too late to save Francesca. The girl was burned alive which caused J.J. to blame herself as she chose to save Roberto because he reminded her of her son on "Criminal Minds."

"Criminal Minds" Season 12 Episode 2 ended with Hotchner asking J.J. to take a week off from work. "It is not a request," he said. Hotchner's conversation with J.J. may be the last that fans may see from Gibson in the show as the actor leaves "Criminal Minds" permanently.

Watch "Criminal Minds" Season 12 Episode 2 promo below.