As for his most terrible fear, I'd have expected a flashback to Hotch's time in the hands of the Reaper
Maybe they thought he'd kinda made his peace with the Reaper in season nine, when he collapsed and had this weird movie experience with Foyet and Haley? I don't know. *shrug*

But thanks for reminding me, I have so much catching up to do! So far I've only watched ep. 10x01, although I have dled all the rest. Good thing there's a staycation coming up...