We saw the departure of Penelope Garcia from Criminal Minds in the Season 15 finale. Criminal Minds is about a profilers’ team in the Behavioral Analysis unit in the FBI. The backbone of the team, Garcia, had been in the show ever since its inception. She did not just help catch criminals but also provided emotional support to her colleagues.
Why did Penelope Garcia leave Criminal Minds?
Before joining the BAU in the FBI, Penelope Garcia was a hacker who got caught by profilers. She was even in the FBI's list of dangerous and skilled hackers. However, she ended up joining the BAU when she was offered a deal instead of prison time. The unit wanted to put her unique set of skills into good use and hence, they recruited her.
Penelope Garcia left because she had found a job in Silicon Valley that resonated with her kind and colorful personality. It was a private research company that fought against issues relating to climate crisis. This job was not as emotionally taxing and would provide her the change she desired.
Her job at the BAU was not an easy one but nobody could have ever guessed that she would leave her job at the BAU. The cases in the FBI were taking a toll on her mental health due to the absence of work life balance. Despite this, she had a good experience with her colleagues which made her job worth it.
Her departure from the show was the end of an era for both the character and the show. The farewell was quite emotional. Apart from a professional turn of events, Penelope Garcia also had a personal change. In the farewell party, we noticed some casual flirting between Garcia and Luke Alvez, her former colleague. They agreed to meet up, however fans did not get to know further as the show itself came to an end. This left fans of Criminal Minds wondering about the possibilities of their relationship.
Does Penelope Garcia return to Criminal Minds?
Yes, Penelope Garcia is seen again in Criminal Minds: Evolution. Though this made her fans, who were eagerly awaiting her reappearance, excited, Garcia did not really plan or intend to return. The team at BAU continued catching criminals after her departure. However this time they were faced with a network of serial killers and they need her unique skills to crack the investigation. The profilers kept asking for her help and Garcia was bound to revisit the BAU, leaving her new job behind.
Though this was supposed to be temporary, Penelope Garcia realized how much she missed her former colleagues. This cemented the fact that Garcia’s character was crucial to the BAU in the FBI and that she was, indeed, irreplaceable.
Where is actor Kirsten Vangsness now?
Kirsten Vangsness, who portrayed the role of Penelope Garcia in Criminal Minds continues to work in the entertainment industry. She also explores her love for writing and producing which led her to co-writing certain episodes of Criminal Minds. It is evident that the actress is passionate when it comes to storytelling.
Kirsten Vangsness also supports LGBTQ+ rights and is an advocate of mental health awareness. She is kind and empathetic, both on and off screen which is inspiring to many.
Recently, she was seen hosting the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, California.
Criminal Minds can be streamed on Paramount Plus and Hulu.
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