Penelope Garcia and Derek Morgan were a rare pairing on the TV show Criminal Minds, as their friendship was the focus rather than a romantic relationship. The chemistry between actors Kirsten Vangsness and Shemar Moore was so strong that it led to Vangsness being written into more episodes and eventually co-writing on the show. Their on-screen flirting was an extension of their real-life friendship, which continues today.

Their unique dynamic was popular because it portrayed a genuine opposite-gender friendship that was not centered around romance.