After the unexpected Winter Break that deprived Criminal Minds fans of new episodes throughout late December, the show is back with a new episode, this time tracing back the origin story of tech genius Penelope Garcia (Kristin Vangsness).

At the get-go of Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 12, fans get a glimpse Garcia from 10 years ago, one with a very dark attitude matched with dark hair and get-up--earning her the name The Black Queen, for starters. She has been captured as a hacker and Hotchner has offered her a one-way ticket out of prison, which is to be the analyst for the BAU team.

Criminal Minds' BAU team are forced to go back to a case that happened 10 years ago, which involved hacking and a link to Garcia's past before she became the quirky Baby Girl she is today.

Murders, prostitutes and hair

For Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 12, the victims are prostitutes who are strangled and stabbed, similar to how the supposed closed case from 10 years ago went. This puts the BAU team at odds as they try to examine the clues and see if the police had arrested the wrong person who is now on death row.

Aaron Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) and Agent JJ Jareau (A.J. Cook) talk to the arrested suspect, another well-known hacker before his arrest, and realised that they might be dealing with another silent partner who's in charge of the killing.

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As the Criminal Minds team try to figure out which clues were missed, Garcia and Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) try to establish a link with Garcia's old flame and fellow hacker and mentor.

In the midst of hacker talk made a bit palatable and Morgan and Garcia's cooled down "dirty office talk" in lieu of new office rules, the BAU team were able to determine and finally close the case of murder from 10 years ago with a very interesting piece of evidence: hair.

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Feel-good episode and a peek at a darker one

Overall, this is a pretty gore-free episode made even more entertaining as Garcia fans were able to see more witty banter between her and Morgan. While it did not entail plot-heavy scenes as far as the JJ season is concerned, it does give you a glimpse of just how darker and quirkier Garcia had been in her past life.

Criminal Minds origin stories like this are able to give more depth to the characters--and yes, even to one that's already full to the brim with personality like Garcia. Just check out Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 11, which gave a glimpse of the dynamics behind Blake's (Jeanne Tripplehorn) family.

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In the coming episode, however, there may be more of a link with JJ's secret involving new section chief Mateo Cruz (Esai Morales). Criminal Minds is getting ready for its 200th episode, and one that promises to bring back Paget Brewster as Agent Emily Prentiss.

Also in the upcoming episode, titled The Road Home, Spoiler TV reports that the BAU team will be on the hunt for a vigilante killer, while Rossi (Joe Mantegna) tries to ensure the safety of his former Marine sergeant.

Here's a sneak peek trailer of Criminal Minds Season 9 Episode 13.

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