On the one hand, there’s Kevin, offbeat computer geek, quite possibly the only man who can keep up with Penelope Garcia in terms of marrying nerdy know-how and creative quirk. On the other, there’s the impossibly cool Derek Morgan, brave and debonair enough to be out of anybody’s league. These two men share only two things; they both possess a Y chromosome and they both love Penelope Garcia.
So when Kevin approaches Morgan, we already know there can only be one topic of conversation. Kevin wants Morgan’s advice on how to propose to Garcia, in a scene that’s a fabulous study of contrast. Kevin, dressed in bright colors and crazy prints, is a frenetic burst of energy, popping with wild ideas for spectacular proposals. Morgan, dressed in classic dark neutrals, remains calm and steady, remains all business as he pays little attention to the questions Kevin slings his way. He doesn’t have time for this when there’s a case brewing.
Garcia, the only thing these two men have in common, watches them both, but it’s Morgan she goes to with her questions. Why were Kevin and Morgan talking? Was Kevin talking about her? Morgan puts her off, but the way he looks at her speaks volumes. These still waters run way, way deep.
Both Morgan and Kevin describe their relationships with Garcia as “complicated” and Kevin admits he’s unable to figure out exactly what Morgan and Garcia have. Morgan doesn’t want to discuss things, with either Kevin or Garcia, despite her frequent and frantic phone calls. Desperate for answers from Morgan, Garcia fends off Kevin’s attentions. His affectionate gestures only rattle her more, and she doesn’t for a second buy his fib that the two men were discussing basketball. Garcia knows her Morgan better than to buy that.
At episode’s end, Morgan and Garcia don’t have to talk much at all. He knows that she’s figured Kevin’s angle out, and it’s sent her into a tailspin. Putting definitions on relationships changes them, she tells Morgan in a rush of words and emotions. People change, and they go away, and she doesn’t want that. As always, Morgan is her rock, assuring her that Kevin is a good guy, despite her sputtered protests, and steps out of the scene upon Kevin’s arrival.
Here again, we see the difference between Garcia’s guys. Kevin doesn’t get why Garcia is upset at his proposal plans. Is she against marriage in general or marriage to him? She replies, flustered, that she’s not ready for marriage. Kevin informs her that he is ready, and stalks away, leaving Garcia utterly bewildered and alone. Or at least as alone as Garcia can be with Morgan in her life, and really, what are the odds of that?
Anna C. Bowling considers writing historical romance the best way to travel through time and make the voices in her head pay rent. She welcomes visitors to her blog, Typing With Wet Nails and to follow her at Twitter.
