Unless it's reinstatement to full cast member it still looks like a demotion. The news that Hemmer was always intended to die doesn't make this whole situation appear any better. It's like the show wanted to showcase their diversity by seemingly having a main cast disabled actor, only to reveal they never intended to accomodate him for the long run.
Yeah I agree. We also hardly got to know hemmer so his death didn't pack the emotional punch if he would have gotten his own storyline. I don't even recall if he was ever part of a briefing in the briefing room. I liked his character and killing him off so early was a mistake. If they bring in scotty I'm going to really be disappointed.