So recently I've been thinking about Hotch's abusive past in relation to who he might tell about that (I'm sure the person that made me think about this knows who she is, and please know that I'm not attempting to invalidate your perspective at all).
I like to believe that he's been able to open up to people he's close to (Haley, Rossi, Gideon, and
maybe Reid). I should clarify that I'm speaking strictly in canon. I think people in trusting romantic relationships tell each other things like this, so I could see Hotch telling other people in any fandom ship, if the romantic relationship was done well.
I was wondering, however, if there was any canon evidence to support this either way. SO... I'm doing a rewatch of all four seasons of CM over the summer (not
because of this question), and was just rewatching
Natural Born Killer, the episode in which Hotch's past abuse is revealed. Gideon has been talking to Vincent, and the team is finally piecing together Vincent's abusive past. Gideon looks at Hotch and asks if Hotch wants to take the rest of the interview.
To me, there is absolutely no reason in my head that Gideon would want to give over the interview to Hotch, who's been beaten up by the unsub already (which only amuses Vincent), unless he thought Hotch had more insight here than he did. Simply put, this exchange to me says clearly that Gideon knows Hotch was abused. And before you say it, as far as I can tell, Gideon shouldn't have this information because of his position; neither Hotch or Gideon knew about the abuse in Morgan's past in
Profiler, Profiled, after all.
Of course, it's not so specific that people can't read it anyway they want; they could just say Gideon wasn't getting anywhere with Vincent, so he thought a change might work, or that Gideon is just so good he figured that out about Hotch without being told (though I think that fact that Hotch doesn't seem surprised josses that theory). So what do you all think? I'm posting a poll, but more detailed replies in comments are always love.
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Poll #1414572]