Maybe the team is on a case and they bump into Gideon in whatever town he ended up in.
I'm wondering if the finale doesn't turn into the
series finale and that's why hey bring back Gideon? 5-7 years is the general run of a series. Several have run longer, but that's such a rarity, there is a list of them. Among them, Cheers at 11 years. Friends at 10 years. Law & Order: SVU is on 11 years.
I was actually surprised when AJ said she had her contract renegotiated for 2 years, when they asked her back.
I love the show, but with the way the higher ups did all the firing and recasting last season, someone up there doesn't think much of the show. They thought it needed fresh faces & a makeover to "keep it fresh" as was said in all the articles. They never really get the promotion that other shows like CSI & Hawaii Five-O do. I wouldn't be surprised if the network cans it after this season or next, even if it does well in the ratings.