According to TVLine, "Hotch and Beth are still going strong" by the finale. Executive producer Erica Messer did say, "I know it's 'controversial,' but I like that Hotch is smiling and dating." Beth will be in the episode, perhaps as Hotch's date for the wedding to end the episode? She has met Jack, and that went well, so it looks like she could be sticking around barring something happening perhaps next season. It's not like she's in every episode, so she is free to do other shows like Scandal, without having to bring an end to Hotch and Beth's relationship. Given what they see every day with their jobs, it's good when the characters have something in their lives separate from it that makes them smile.

Criminal Minds Season 8 Cast

Messer also talked about Matthew Gray Gubler's future on the show. He's not signed on for season 8, but Messer did say, "All signs point to yes. He's such a staple of the show. He really loves to play his sweet, vulnerable, smart Reid." While Paget Brewster is saying goodbye at the end of the season, it doesn't look like that's going to be true for Gubler. According to Messer, "If Matthew was going in that direction, I think he's the kind of guy who would have said so." So now it's just a matter of waiting for contracts to be signed and an official announcement, but it seems safe to say that it's more likely than not that there will be more Reid in season 8. Perhaps they can use next season to explore his headaches from last year (and hopefully get Jane Lynch back to reprise her role as his mother for an episode).