With a Paramount+ Criminal Minds revival supposedly in development, fans are left wondering who of the original cast will return and who won't. Shemar Moore notably hasn't been on the show since before it ended, but if they plan on doing a limited series, it would be fun if Derek would come out of retirement.
He was among the characters who had the strongest bond with the others, like Reid and Prentiss, but especially his baby girl Penelope. Their friendship was wondrous and special, and between words of affirmation and witty workplace banter, they had so many great quotes it was difficult to choose.
Workplace Flirting
"You're A Statuesque God Of Sculpted Chocolate Thunder." — Penelope Garcia
Garcia has a very special way of phone flirting with Morgan, even when the situation calls for a more professional attitude. Oftentimes, when he asks her to tell him something (about the case), she replies with one of these to break the tension.
It doesn't bother anyone, and usually, the rest of the team just rolls their eyes, but it ends up in a hostile work environment seminar, which is seemingly dedicated entirely to Penelope and Derek. Thankfully, they don't let it stop them for too long.
Silent Communication
"Every Day It's Implied." - Derek Morgan
When Garcia tries to replace JJ and do her job, she gets in too deep and ends up spiraling. Of course, the only person who can calm her and remind her what matters is her chocolate thunder, Derek Morgan. As he throws her only pair of lenses in the trash and puts on her glasses, indicating she doesn't have to change a single thing about her, Garcia gets emotional, and it's one of the best scenes/quotes.
Feeling a wave of gratitude for her friend, she asks him how often she tells him she loves him. He then delivers this quote, reminding the audience what the best thing about this kind of friendship is. Sometimes you don't even have to say it, but they still know.
Inappropriate Behavior
"Or What, You'll Spank Me?" - Penelope Garcia
Morgan and Garcia's interactions were the sole reason for a hostile work environment seminar the FBI had them attend. It was sentences like this that supposedly created it, even though most of the people around them just rolled their eyes with affection.
Garcia has no filter. Delivering this line even though he warned Garcia she was on the speaker was just too iconic not to mention. However, not everyone likes their workplace flirtations.
Smells Like Hope
"You Smell Like Hope And Happiness." - Penelope Garcia
Derek's departure from Criminal Minds was sad but had one of the best arcs on TV. After a while of being separated, Derek comes back to help Penelope get through personal trauma. Even though she's visibly distraught to the point where her voice is hoarse from crying, Derek always finds a way to calm her down. It's even an unspoken connection between them, and as they mention in this scene, they can often heal each other without words.
In a funny scene, Penelope hugs him to make sure he's there and mentions he smells like hope and happiness. Given how connected they were, it's not wild to imagine his scent would have calming qualities for her.
Voulez Coucher
"Drives Me Crazy When You Talk That Voulez Coucher Stuff To Me." - Derek Morgan
Despite having the last name Garcia, as Derek points out, she can't speak Spanish to save her life. But she can speak French fluently and she demonstrates it while flirting with Derek on the phone. It's unlikely he understands, but he must pick up the tone because this is his reply.
Their flirting and jokes are just one of the ways they try and ease the shock of everything they see daily, and Garcia even jokes that she needs to phone flirt with him "at least four times a day" or she gets itchy, but this is just their way of bonding and relieving stress.
Using His Words Against Him
"Baby Girl, You Be Trippin'." - Penelope Garcia
Even though their funny and flirty interactions always win, they also have a way of being mad at each other that's kind of cute. It usually happens when one is worried about the other, in this case, Penelope is worried about Derek.
She brings his own words back to him, basically telling him to get a grip and stop being self-absorbed. She yells a little and hangs up the phone. Neither of them holds a grudge though, and they both know it's just out of pure concern and well-wishing that they get mad.
Everything They Do Is Magic
"Everything You And I Do Together Is Magic. Since The Minute We Met." - Derek Morgan
The writers of a TV show rarely take as much care with a platonic friendship as they did with Penelope and Derek. It was a wondrous connection and they gave them exactly the tearful goodbye they deserved. When Garcia admits she's scared of him leaving, and things changing, he reminds her of their connection.
It's a scene in which the audience laughs through their tears as some references to their friendship are made, reminding everyone that it is magic to find someone as special. Despite the sadness of the goodbye, this was the best season for Derek's character.
Flirty Banter
"Look Up The Words Sexy And Brilliant In That Computer Of Yours And Tell Me What You Come Up With." - Derek Morgan
These two have an hilarious way of bantering in the workplace. It's not only Penelope complimenting Derek on his appearance, but him constantly reminding her of how amazing she is. Even though Garcia seemingly isn't afraid of being herself, having the confidence boost never hurts, and he makes sure to deliver.
These interactions are the best because there is absolutely no hint of anything remotely sexual ever happening between them, and Garcia even freaks out when she thinks something did. They both accept this is just a way of letting out steam and lightening the mood when everything seems dark.
God-Given Solace
"You Are My God-Given Solace." - Derek Morgan
This is one of the best Garcia and Morgan scenes, showing all the different aspects of their friendship. From their unspoken bond to how comfortable they are with each other and even a bit of their witty banter is included.
As Morgan tells Garcia she is his solace and that she should never stop talking to him, she replies that she can't because she's too mad at him. Not on purpose, but he briefly made her believe that he died in an explosion, and she had one of the biggest scares of her life.
Where It Started
"Hey, Baby Girl!" - Derek Morgan
Ironically, it all started with a baby girl. When Morgan didn't know her name, he called her that and she jokingly replied she's been called worse. And thus began a beautiful and long friendship. It's funny because Garcia could have been offended by the slightly misogynistic nickname, but she took it as a positive and it became their thing.
The audience probably lost count of how many times Derek called her "baby girl", but nothing will ever beat the original instance when it came out so spontaneously and out of nowhere. It's a good thing the producers decided to share this scene with the audience because it was one of the best for their friendship.