‘Criminal Minds Evolution’ Confirms the Status of Penelope and Derek’s Relationship

There actually is not any contest as to which relationship in Criminal Minds is the downright greatest, providing us probably the most deliciously flirtatious strains and wholesomely poignant friendship. The dynamic bond between the hunky Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) and tech-savvy Penelope Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) captured our hearts from the second they graced our display, even when their habits has triggered the bureau some complications — like a sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace seminar. When Moore left the unique sequence in Season 11, we mourned not with the ability to see our favourite couple anymore, however Prison Minds: Evolution gave us a heart-warming replace on their friendship that we sorely wanted.

Shemar Moore’s Exit From ‘Prison Minds’ Ended the Present’s Finest Friendship

Moore exited Prison Minds in Season 11, along with his character deciding to deal with his household relatively than chasing down horrific serial killers. Whereas it was an endearing motive for Derek to go away the BAU, it did spell out the tip of the present’s most notable friendship. Penelope and Derek have been staples of Prison Minds since their pilot episode, continually promising us laughter, drama, and emotion with their pleasant banter. Alongside Matthew Gray Gubler’s Spencer Reid, they have been one of many extra iconic and memorable facets of the present, and it undoubtedly hasn’t been the identical with out them.

In latest seasons, we now have been left at nighttime concerning the standing of their friendship. Evolution Season 2 has led to a variety of nostalgia, as Jill Gideon’s (Felicity Huffman) introduction paved the best way for scenes of Spencer’s desk and likewise in-depth conversations about Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin), who had initially led the sequence when it first aired. Whereas this has partially satiated our reminiscing, Season 2’s finale topped the nostalgia off with a short reference to Derek, a lot to our delight, reassuring us that his flawless friendship with Penelope continues to be as necessary as ever.

‘Prison Minds: Evolution’ Confirms Penelope Nonetheless Loves Derek

Evolution Season 2’s finale sees the BAU frantically making an attempt to rescue Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster), who has simply been kidnapped by the 2 surviving members of the Gold Star program. Although their profiling strategies managed to get them midway there, they resigned to counting on Elias Voit’s (Zach Gilford) assist once more. Naturally, Elias would not make it straightforward on them, demanding his sentence to be carried out at a low-security jail, and likewise claims that he wants to make use of Penelope’s laptop computer to trace down the Gold Star members’ location. He had beforehand helped the assassins by making a program that may detect deepfake movies and had secretly put geotagging know-how into these movies. As such, when the time comes, Penelope forces Elias to show round whereas she inputs her password and permits him into her treasured technological abode.

As quickly as Elias gazes onto the screen, he asks, “What’s Chocolate Thunder?” Followers of Prison Minds will immediately acknowledge this as one of many many pet names Penelope reserved for Derek. Other than typically flirting conversations that stored them underneath the watchful eye of the bureau’s HR division, additionally they indulged in all kinds of nicknames, together with “babygirl” for Penelope and “Chocolate Thunder” for Derek. We can not see the pc display, so we do not know if it was the title of a folder, a file, or one thing else digital — the truth that it instantly seems as quickly as you log in speaks volumes, contemplating how a lot Penelope values her know-how.

If the title’s mere existence on her laptop computer is not proof sufficient of Penelope’s continued devotion to Derek, her expression following Elias’ query definitely is. Although it’s Jennifer Jareau (A.J. Prepare dinner) who instantly interrupts him and modifications the topic, we see Penelope standing behind him with a demise stare that bores into the again of his cranium. How dare he utter the dear nickname that’s sacred to her? That is additionally paying homage to a few scenes again, the place Elias makes a testy comment concerning the BAU-gate website, which rankles JJ. All the time prepared to guard her family members, Penelope squares up in opposition to Elias and, as soon as once more, offers him a demise stare whereas sustaining eye contact. Her menacing resolve is sufficient for Elias’ smug smile to fade off his face. As such, linking the 2 makes use of of Penelope’s threatening stare, it’s clear that her friendship with and love for Derek is alive and nicely.

Derek Returned To ‘Prison Minds’ As soon as To Assist Penelope

This momentary scene will not be the one testomony to how integral their friendship is to the present and to their characters. Since Season 11, Moore has made a short look in Prison Minds Season 13, Episode 5, “Fortunate Strikes,” the place he returns solely to consolation Penelope after the episode’s case brings up recollections of her previous. The truth that his visitor look revolved round their friendship will not be solely touching but additionally speaks to how particular it truly is.

Moore has not been in a position to return to the sequence since attributable to his profitable lead position in SWAT, the place he performs the position of a police officer within the LAPD whereas conserving crime off the streets. Nevertheless, between Moore being open to reprising his profiling role in Prison Minds, and the announcement of SWAT‘s eighth season being its final one, followers can begin crossing their fingers for his potential return to Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3. It is not solely the return of his feisty but grisly persona that we await however the revitalization of a beloved friendship that has remained dormant for a lot too lengthy. For now, we merely reside off the ephemeral references that reaffirm the existence of their friendship.

Prison Minds is accessible to stream now on Paramount+ within the U.S.

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