Despite its tense narrative, Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 finale is still able to sneak in a small Derek Morgan Easter egg that paves the way for Shemar Moore’s return in season 3. After a long and arduous process, the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) finally gets to the bottom of the Gold Star mystery. Introduced in the Criminal Minds: Evolution season 1 finale, it turns out to be tied to Deputy Director Bailey’s disillusioned brother, Pete, who was made to believe that Emily Prentiss and her team were to blame for his murder.

Kirsten Vangsness as Penelope Garcia and Shemar Moore as Derek Morgan in Criminal Minds

While the focus of the show has been on the Criminal Minds: Evolution current cast and existing cases, questions about the status of former profilers consistently pour in. Matthew Gray Gubler’s absence as Spencer Reid has been particularly a hot topic, considering how beloved the character is, not to mention the terms of her continued non-involvement. There are also conversations about seeing Thomas Gibson reprising his role as Aaron Hotchner despite his firing have been swirling around. After the Criminal Minds: Evolution season 2 finale, “Save The Children”, however, sets up the possible return of Moore as Morgan.

Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 Finale Confirms Garcia Is Communicating With Morgan
Baby Girl Is Still In Contact With Chocolate Thunder

Shemar Moore on the phone as Derek Morgan in Criminal Minds.

As the BAU is forced to rely on Voit again to save Emily Prentiss, he is given brief access to Garcia’s computer in order to provide the team with the information and set-up that they need. Once Sicarius gets his hands on the laptop, he asks who “chocolate thunder – tilda umlaut” is. No one indulged him, but fans of the original Criminal Minds would immediately recognize the moniker “chocolate thunder” as Morgan’s playful nickname given by “baby girl” Garcia. This confirms that despite Moore’s continued absence in Criminal Minds: Evolution, he continues to be in communication with his former co-workers.

Morgan Maintained BAU Ties Makes His Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 3 Easier
Moore Has Expressed His Interest In Playing Morgan Again

Shemar Moore as Derek Morgan in Criminal Minds

Garcia maintaining her communication with Morgan means that he is up-to-date with what’s happening with the team. Considering how much he cares about the BAU, it’s safe to say that he will be more than willing to return to the bureau in any capacity if the profilers need his help. Showrunner Erica Messer said that while they are open to bringing back old BAU members, there needs to be a personal reason to do this. Luckily, there won’t be a scarcity of storylines that could lead to his Criminal Minds: Evolution appearance because Morgan and Garcia have preserved their friendship.

Moore has discussed the idea of joining the Criminal Minds: Evolution as Morgan. He revealed that he is not only open to the idea but is actually waiting to be invited to join his original police procedural team. Currently, Moore is spearheading CBS’ SWAT TV series, so his schedule may not be as easy to line up with the revival’s filming, but with his commitment to returning, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a way for him to come back as Morgan in Criminal Minds: Evolution season 3, especially since the Paramount+ show only has 10 episodes per year.