Summary
Criminal Minds: Evolutionmay be missing one of my favorite characters, but the season 2 finale just confirmed an important detail about Derek and Penelope’s friendship.Criminal Minds: Evolutionseason 2 has made multiple mentions of Derek Morgan, but he has yet to appear in the revival series.TheCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 2 finaleonly mentioned him briefly, but as someone who loves Derek and Penelope’s friendship, I was relieved by its bigger meaning. Shemar Moore leftCriminal Mindsyears before it was revived asEvolution, but like many others, I’m still hopeful for his return.
Though someCriminal Mindscharacter exitshave been devastating, I’ve stuck around and fallen in love with the new characters, just as I did the originals. Derek may be gone, but multiple OG characters, including Penelope, are still on the show.Criminal Minds: Evolutiondoesn’t ignore those who left either, as the Derek mention in the season 2 finale shows.WithCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3on the way, I still have hope we’ll see Derek Morgan again, but for now, I’m happy with knowing his friendship with Penelope is alive and well.
Why Shemar Moore Left Criminal Minds During Season 11
Derek Morgan was on the Criminal Minds team from season 1 until season 11. Here’s why Shemar Moore left Criminal Minds, and if he’ll return.
Criminal Minds: Evolution’s Season 2 Finale Proves Derek & Penelope Are Still Close
Derek’s Old Nickname Was On Penelope’s Computer
Derek and Penelope had one of the strongest and sweetest friendships inCriminal Minds. The chemistry between Moore and Kirsten Vangsness was capitalized on throughout the series, as they became even more important to each other. They also had one of the funniest friendships, with their frequent flirting even leading to a workplace sexual harassment seminar inCriminal Mindsseason 9 that called out their inappropriate behavior.Derek often referred to Penelope as “baby girl,”and she had various, usually sexual, nicknames for him as well.
One of these nicknames was “Chocolate Thunder,” which is how Derek was brought up in theCriminal Minds: Evolutionseason 2 finale. When Voit uses Penelope’s computer to help them find something, he asks her who Chocolate Thunder is. Though they quickly return to the task at hand, the quick line reveals that Derek and Penelope are still close. It also suggests that “Chocolate Thunder” is Penelope’s password on her computer, showing just how important he still is to her. Hopefully,Criminal Minds: Evolutionseason 3 will provide further evidence of this.
Criminal Minds: Are Shemar Moore And Kirsten Vangsness Friends In Real Life?
Shemar Moore and Kirsten Vangsness play Derek Morgan and Penelope Garcia on Criminal Minds, but are they as good friends off the show as on?
Penelope Could Be The Key To Derek’s Return In Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3
Derek’s Only Return In Criminal Minds Was Because Of Penelope
SinceDerek left the BAU team inCriminal Mindsseason 11, he has only returned once. Derek appeared inCriminal Mindsseason 13, episode 5, but not to help the team with a case. Instead, Derek was there to help Penelope. The case the team was working on brought up memories of when Penelope was shot inCriminal Mindsseason 3, in an episode that revealed how much Derek cared for her as a friend. Derek returned toCriminal Mindsin season 13 to be Penelope’s emotional support, which could happen again inCriminal Minds: Evolution.
Criminal Mindsshowrunner Erica Messerhas already set a condition for Derek’s return, stating it would have to be for a specific emotional storyline, not a case. Since Derek has already done this for Penelope, it would make sense if she’s why he appears in the revival. I’ve been waiting years to see Derek Morgan inCriminal Mindsagain, and his friendship with Penelope provides the most logical and rewarding explanation for his potential return. This would also mean plenty of scenes between the best friends that I and other viewers became accustomed to seeing throughoutCriminal Minds.
Criminal Minds: Evolution
Cast
InCriminal Minds: Evolution, the FBI’s elite team of criminal profilers come up against their greatest threat yet, an UnSub who has used the pandemic to build a network of other serial killers. As the world opens back up and the network goes operational, the team must hunt them down, one murder at a time. Original cast members continuing their roles include Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Kirsten Vangsness, Aisha Tyler, Adam Rodriguez and Paget Brewster. Zach Gilford joins the dynamic cast as a recurring guest star in a season-long arc.
