Okay, let's dive headfirst into the burning question that kept Criminal Minds fans up at night during Season 7: Does Will LaMontagne Jr., the absolutely adorable husband of the ever-brilliant JJ Jareau, meet his maker?
Spoiler alert! We're about to tackle this head-on, so if you're still catching up, maybe grab a coffee and come back later. Otherwise, buckle up!
The Fear Was Real
Seriously, the suspense was thicker than Hotch's usual stoicism! Season 7 was a roller coaster, and with the team facing down some seriously nasty UnSubs, nobody felt safe. We were all mentally preparing eulogies for everyone from Reid to Garcia, weren't we?
And Will? He was a good guy. A dedicated detective, a loving husband, and an all-around sweetheart. That makes him prime target material in the twisted world of Criminal Minds!
He's a Target!
Think about it: the writers love to yank at our heartstrings. Killing off a loved one of a main character is like hitting the emotional jackpot for maximum drama. It's TV drama 101, right?
The UnSubs often target the families of the BAU members to get into their heads. It is a very common approach to destroy the team mentally.
So, Will, being so closely connected to JJ, was practically wearing a target the size of Texas!
The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth
Deep breaths, everyone! Here it comes… The answer to the million-dollar question: Will… survives Season 7!
Hallelujah! Break out the celebratory cupcakes because our favorite New Orleans detective makes it through unscathed. He lives to solve more cases and, more importantly, to continue being the incredibly supportive husband we all adore.
I know! I know! It's a relief! For a while there it felt like no one was safe and everything could happen!
But It Was Close, Right?
Okay, let's not pretend it was all sunshine and roses. There were definitely moments where we were holding our breaths, convinced Will's number was up.
The writers like to dangle the possibility of tragedy just to keep us on the edge of our seats. They're masters of emotional manipulation, those guys!
But thankfully, in this case, they spared us (and JJ) the heartbreak.
Why He Lived (Probably)
While we'll never know the *exact* reasoning behind the writers' choices, here's my theory: sometimes, happy endings are necessary. We all need a little bit of light in the darkness, and Will and JJ's relationship provided that.
Also, killing him off might have been *too* devastating. Fans might have staged a revolt! Happy relationship is necessary in the show and Will and JJ's one fills it well.
Let's be honest, we watch Criminal Minds to be thrilled and spooked, but also to see the good guys win (eventually). Seeing Will and JJ together, happy and raising their son, was a small victory against all the darkness they faced.
And sometimes, that's enough.
So, there you have it! Will LaMontagne Jr. lives to see another day, another case, and many more heartwarming moments with JJ. Now, go forth and re-watch Season 7 with a renewed sense of joy and relief!
