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| {{short description|Character in American television series Criminal Minds}} | {{short description|Character in American television series Criminal Minds}} | ||
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| {{Infobox character | {{Infobox character | ||
| | name = |
| name = Emily Prentiss | ||
| | image = Emily Prentiss.jpg | |||
| | caption = ] as Emily Prentiss | |||
| | series = ] | | series = ] | ||
| | image = ] | |||
| | caption = | |||
| ⚫ | | first = '''S2 E9''' "]"<br>November 15, 2006 | ||
| | last = | |||
| | portrayer = ] | | portrayer = ] | ||
| | lbl2 = | |||
| | creator = ] | |||
| | data2 = | |||
| ⚫ | | first = "]"<br> |
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| | |
| nickname = | ||
| | gender = Female | |||
| | occupation = FBI ] Unit Chief (currently) | |||
| | title = FBI ] Supervisory Special Agent<br>FBI ] |
| title = FBI ] Supervisory Special Agent<br/>FBI ] Unit Chief<br/>FBI Section Chief | ||
| | occupation = ] | |||
| | family = | |||
| | spouse = | |||
| | children = | |||
| | nationality = | |||
| | lbl24 = Seasons | | lbl24 = Seasons | ||
| | data24 = ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] | | data24 = ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] | ||
| }}'''Emily Prentiss''' is a fictional character in the CBS crime drama '']'', portrayed by ]. A longtime member of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), Prentiss is characterized by her intelligence, linguistic skills, leadership skills, resilience, and diplomatic upbringing as the daughter of an ambassador. Prentiss plays a central role in the series, eventually becoming Unit Chief in Season Twelve and later Section Chief, a position she holds to this day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haines |first=Sydney Baum |date=2021-08-09 |title=Every Job Position Emily Prentiss Landed On Criminal Minds |url=https://www.looper.com/482233/every-job-position-emily-prentiss-landed-on-criminal-minds/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Looper |language=en-US}}</ref> Brewster has continued her role in the series after its revival, '']''.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Hebert |first=Olivia |date=2022-11-25 |title='Criminal Minds: Evolution' Cast and Character Guide |url=https://collider.com/criminal-minds-evolution-cast-and-character-guide/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| | family = Unnamed father <br />Elizabeth Prentiss (mother) <br> Unborn child (abortion) "Demonology 4x17" | |||
| | alias = Lauren Reynolds | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Emily Prentiss''' is a fictional character on the ] ] '']'', portrayed by ]. Prentiss first appeared in "The Last Word" (episode nine of ]), replacing Agent ] (]), who had quit in "The Boogeyman". Her role in the show's ] was reduced,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/06/14/criminal-minds-drops-a-j-cook/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616213507/http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/06/14/criminal-minds-drops-a-j-cook/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 16, 2010 |title=Breaking: 'Criminal Minds' drops A.J. Cook |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |author-link=Michael Ausiello |date=June 14, 2010 |magazine=] |access-date=June 17, 2010 }}</ref> for what Brewster believed to be financial reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a228895/criminal-minds-stars-slam-aj-cook-axe.html|title='Criminal Minds' stars slam AJ Cook axe|last=Wightman|first=Catriona|date=June 17, 2010|work=]|access-date=June 17, 2010}}</ref> Brewster returned to her role for the show's seventh season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deadline.com/2011/05/paget-brewster-returning-to-criminal-minds-next-season-rachel-nichols-leaving/|title=Paget Brewster Returning To 'Criminal Minds' Next Season, Rachel Nichols Leaving|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=May 2011|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en-US|access-date=2016-03-12}}</ref> Her final episode as a main cast member was the May 16, 2012 episode "Run." Brewster reprised the role again in 2014 for the ] episode. She returned as Prentiss following the departure of co-star ] for the season 11 episode ]. | |||
| Brewster returned as series regular in ]. She was brought back soon after co-star ] had been dismissed from the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/781798/paget-brewster-is-returning-to-criminal-minds-for-season-12-arc|title=Look Who's Back! Paget Brewster Returning to Criminal Minds|work=eonline.com|access-date=31 August 2016|date=2016-07-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/08/30/paget-brewster-criminal-minds-season-12-prentiss-series-regular/|title=Criminal Minds: Paget Brewster Upped to Series Regular in Season 12 Following Thomas Gibson's Firing|first1=Michael|last1=Ausiello|date=30 August 2016|work=tvline.com|access-date=31 August 2016}}</ref> | |||
| ==Background== | |||
| Prentiss was born on October 12, 1970 to an unnamed father and wife Elizabeth, a ].<ref>{{cite episode |title=Cold Comfort|series=Criminal Minds|series-link=Criminal Minds |last1=Dworkin|first1=Dan|last2=Beattie|first2=Jay|last3=Foerster|first3=Anna|network=CBS|airdate=February 11, 2009|season=4|number=14}}</ref> Due to her mother's job postings, Prentiss spent her childhood in numerous places, including ], ], ], and various countries in the ]. | |||
| Because her family moved so often, Prentiss had few friends growing up, and as a teenager sought the sense of belonging she craved in sexual promiscuity. She eventually became pregnant at age 15, while living in Rome with her parents, and had an ] at a reproductive health clinic, accompanied and helped by her then most intimate friend, Matthew Benton, who later, ostensibly, makes her sit in the church's front seat with him, despite the common knowledge of what she did and against the priest's will. Matthew's devoted but fanatically religious parents forbade him to see her again, responsabilizing her for having deviated him, and made him feel so guilty about helping her get an abortion that he descended into ]. Years later, they become convinced that his addiction was caused by ], and hire a ], Father Paul Silvano (]), to perform an ] that results in his death from a ]. | |||
| Learning about it from a common teenage friend of hers and Benton, who had remained in touch with the last, John Cooley (]), Prentiss leads the BAU team in bringing her friend's killer to justice. Father Silvano appears to be performing intentionally fatal exorcisms, Benton's and two previous, as a revenge against their "dark souls", open to possession, for, according to him, having caused the death of his colleague priest Father Del Toro to prevent pilgrimages from occurring. Father Del Toro was, in turn, seemingly killed by Father Silvano's victims with a powerful ] that induced a heart attack, and, as such, he allegedly uses the same drug in his ] during the exorcisms. Cooley is exorcised as the fourth and last target by Father Silvano, showing possession signs to him, but is interrupted by the team and extradicted to the Vatican, while leaving them the warning they are allowing a dangerous enemy to escape. At the end, Cooley apologizes to Emily for not having been in Rome for her when she aborted, which might mean as a friend or suggest that he was the one who got her pregnant.<ref name="Demonology">{{cite episode|title=Demonology|series=Criminal Minds|series-link=Criminal Minds|network=CBS|airdate=March 11, 2009|season=4|number=17}}</ref> | |||
| She graduated from ] with a ] in ],<ref>"Annihilator," Season 13 Episode 15</ref> a fictitious university which is implied to be located in the ] section of ],<ref>"The Performer," Season 5 Episode 7</ref> and then from ] before joining the FBI, and had worked at its field offices in the Midwest before coming to the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). Prentiss is extremely well-travelled due to her upbringing as an ambassador's daughter and her previous assignments while at ]. She is fluent in ],<ref>"Lessons Learned," Season 2 Episode 10</ref> ], ],<ref>"Lauren" Season 6 Episode 18</ref> ],<ref name="Demonology"/> ] (can hold a conversation but is limited), and ].<ref>"Honor Among Thieves," Season 2 Episode 20</ref> | |||
| Prentiss first appeared in the season two episode "The Last Word". Her appearance surprises both SSA ] (]) and ] (]), as neither supervisor had signed off on the transfer. Hotchner is immediately suspicious of the new agent, but Prentiss, insisting that her mother had not pulled any strings for her to get the assignment, convinces him to let her join the team on a probationary basis, and eventually proves her competence and gains the team's trust. | |||
| Prentiss was originally written as a ] and had a storyline where she woke up in bed next to a woman, which the creative team and Brewster were on board for, but CBS reportedly nixed the idea.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://booksboobstvshows.tumblr.com/post/122909549517/a-million-years-ago-when-paget-was-still-on-the|title=<p>A million years ago when Paget was still on the show, they came up with this storyline that Paget's character was gonna like, get up out of bed, and there was gonna be a woman in bed with her, and...|website=You Gotta Have An Aquafina Man Mindset|access-date=January 29, 2018}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.afterellen.com/tv/416813-afterellens-podcast-lets-process-episode-five-kirsten-vangsness|title=AfterEllen's podcast "Let's Process" Episode Five: Kirsten Vangsness - AfterEllen|date=February 23, 2015|work=]|access-date=January 29, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> In a 2016 interview, following Brewster's return to the show, she stated that she would still "be happy to play Emily as ] or ]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://criminalmindsfans.com/exclusive-interview-paget-brewster-on-coming-home-emilys-future/|title=*EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW* Paget Brewster on Coming Home, Emily's Future!|website=criminalmindsfans.com|language=en|access-date=2018-01-29|date=2016-11-21}}</ref> | |||
| ==Relationships with colleagues== | |||
| ] | |||
| Initially upon joining the BAU, Prentiss feels like an outsider and often worries that people doubt her ability as a profiler. Over time, Prentiss proves herself through her sharp profiling skills, competence, and dedication to the work, gradually earning the trust and respect of her fellow BAU team members. | |||
| Prentiss has a good relationship with her supervisor ] and establishes herself as one of the most reliable and capable agents on the BAU. Hotchner had previously worked as the Head of Security for Prentiss's Ambassador mother, Elizabeth Prentiss, but did not cross paths with Prentiss, because she was off to ]. When she joins the BAU, they get off to a rocky start, but after a confrontation in his office about her feelings and opinions regarding politics and after she resigns instead of secretly feeding reports to Section Chief Erin Strauss (]), Hotchner begins to understand and trust Prentiss. Before leaving to be with the BAU on a case despite his suspension from the field, Hotchner stops by Prentiss' apartment to convince her to get on the plane with him to help their team solve the case they are currently working on. | |||
| In "52 Pickup", Hotchner is seen asking Prentiss for advice on how to deal with Agent Jordan Todd (]), and acts on her suggestions, even giving Todd another chance to prove herself. | |||
| For the most part, Prentiss has also developed friendly relationships with the other members of the BAU team. | |||
| Prentiss immediately bonds with Agent ] (]) due to their mutual love of ], and they develop a close relationship. Their strong bond is most evident in the episodes leading up to and after Prentiss' faked death. Morgan is able to detect that Prentiss is worried about something and tries to get her to tell him what is bothering her. He also feels betrayed when Prentiss does not reveal the extent of her involvement with Doyle and the case and assumes she does not trust him enough. Rossi later tries to reason with him that Prentiss is merely trying to protect the BAU team. Morgan is also with Prentiss, holding her, when she is dying after being seriously injured by Doyle, and tells her that he understands what she did, and that she is brave, and he is proud of her. When he believes she has died, Morgan takes her death quite hard and expresses anger toward Doyle. When Emily returns to the BAU in season 7, Morgan shows concern for her safety and ability to protect herself in the field by making her sign up for re-certification. | |||
| She first appears in Season Two as a replacement for Agent Elle Greenaway, joining the team under unexpected circumstances. Initially facing suspicion due to her diplomatic background and political connections, Prentiss proves herself through her cultural knowledge, profiling expertise, and dedication to the team’s mission. Prentiss’s role in the BAU is marked by multiple departures and returns. In Season Six, she fakes her death to escape Ian Doyle, a dangerous nemesis from her past, and goes into hiding with the help of Hotch and JJ.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lealos |first=Shawn S. |last2=Cotter |first2=Padraig |date=2022-09-14 |title=Criminal Minds: Emily Prentiss' Fake Season 6 Death Explained |url=https://screenrant.com/emily-prentiss-criminal-minds-season-6-fake-death/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaloi |first=Stephanie |date=2021-06-05 |title=Did This Prentiss Scene On Criminal Minds Go Too Far? |url=https://www.thelist.com/429341/did-this-prentiss-scene-on-criminal-minds-go-too-far/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=The List |language=en-US}}</ref> She returns in Season Seven to assist the team in neutralizing Doyle but departs again at the season’s end to take a leadership position at Interpol in London. She sporadically appears in Season 9 to help the team investigate JJ's kidnapping and in Season 11 to help the team catch a serial-killer. In Season 12, Emily officially rejoins the BAU and assumes the role of Unit Chief following Hotch's resignation. | |||
| Over time, she also forms a close relationship with Agent ] (]), especially when they are the only two female agents in the BAU in the field for several seasons. When Prentiss has to fake her death for the team's safety, Jareau is the only one (aside from Hotchner) who knows the truth. Jareau also flies to Paris and is involved in getting fake passports and setting up bank accounts for Prentiss to stay incognito. In the rare moments outside work, Jareau and Prentiss have been seen talking about children and the men, or lack thereof, in Prentiss' life. Prentiss is also the first to congratulate Jareau when she reveals she is pregnant for the first time. | |||
| A major effect of Emily's storyline is that the actress, Brewster, has departed and returned to Criminal Minds two times for "creative, financial, and personal reasons."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bruce |first=Amanda |last2=Tyler |first2=Adrienne |date=2023-05-07 |title=Why Paget Brewster's Emily Left Criminal Minds And Returned (Twice) |url=https://screenrant.com/why-paget-brewster-emily-left-criminal-minds/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> Her first departure was near the end of Season 6 when she was let go after the first 18 episodes. She was brought back as a guest star in Season 7 due to fan demand, and then left once again to focus on more comedic roles. Completely absent from Season 8 and Season 10, she did made sporadic appearances in Season 9 and Season 11.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-02-10 |title=Paget Brewster Is Returning to Criminal Minds (Yes, Again) |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/738782/paget-brewster-is-returning-to-criminal-minds-yes-again |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=E! Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-31 |title='Criminal Minds' fan recap: Paget Brewster returns as Emily Prentiss |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/criminal-minds-fan-recap-paget-051609073.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGh4BKTVM1ri_JRbRs5d56wRTZALzBepV73x1IU1LY60yNqIG9v6jRPxsIAe4ZWEda5VzsactGUZA8FzFSjqe0iNhc3pC5fpJy8yn4Y-5As8JArjCXBg6umbvQabn5N34QuHYLo5-quy273rdX3LX0EB-aPsLxE4nSOFbI_uKi_a |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref> She reprised her role as a main character<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzalez |first=Sandra |date=2016-08-30 |title=‘Criminal Minds’: Paget Brewster back for good |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/30/entertainment/paget-brewster-returning-criminal-minds/index.html |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> in Season 12 after Thomas Gibson, the actor portraying Hotch, was fired.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=2016-08-30 |title=Criminal Minds: Paget Brewster Upped to Series Regular in Season 12 Following Thomas Gibson’s Firing |url=https://tvline.com/casting-news/paget-brewster-criminal-minds-season-12-prentiss-series-regular-744894/ |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=TVLine |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Nemisha |date=2016-10-13 |title=Emily Prentiss Returns To The BAU In ‘Criminal Minds’ Season 12, Episode 3 |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/criminal-minds-season-12-spoilers-what-happened-episode-3-emily-prentiss-returned-bau-2431035 |access-date=2024-11-24 |website=International Business Times |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
| After Agent ] (]) returns to work following his abduction by serial killer Tobias Hankel (]), Prentiss experiences a falling out with Reid when he begins behaving erratically; it is later revealed that Reid is suffering from ] as a result of his kidnapping, and has been abusing prescription drugs to numb the pain. Eventually, however, Prentiss helps him confront his personal demons and get help for his addiction. Prentiss sometimes joins in with Morgan in good-naturedly teasing Reid about his ]. She also amazes Reid when she beats him at poker, which he has never lost at before. Another turning point in their relationship is when Prentiss and Reid are held captive by a cult and Prentiss admits she is an FBI agent, causing her to suffer a beating from the cult's leader, Benjamin Cyrus (]). As a result, Reid feels guilty, but Prentiss reassures him everything is all right and that her injuries are not his fault. Prentiss is also the only one Reid tells about his recurring headaches. Reid is one of the most affected by Prentiss' "death", sobbing on Jareau's shoulder because he never got to say goodbye. Later, when Prentiss comes back, Reid feels betrayed by Prentiss for not telling him the truth, but Prentiss confronts him and they eventually reconcile. | |||
| == Character == | |||
| Prentiss is often seen hanging out with Jareau and Technical Analyst ] (]) outside of work. Garcia looks up to Prentiss, admiring her fluency in Arabic, her wit, and the fact she took up ] classes. Garcia also notes that after four years with the team, Prentiss is a part of the "BAU family"; they have a close friendship. | |||
| == |
=== Backstory === | ||
| Emily Elizabeth Prentiss was born on October 12, 1970, into a high-profile diplomatic family. Her mother, Ambassador Elizabeth Prentiss, was a prominent U.S. diplomat whose career required frequent relocations to politically sensitive regions, including the Middle East and Europe. As a result, Emily spent much of her childhood living abroad, becoming fluent in multiple languages, including Arabic, Spanish, French, and Italian. Despite her privileged upbringing, Emily experienced emotional isolation, as her mother’s demanding career came alongside a lack of family interaction. The strained relationship with her mother became a recurring theme throughout her life. | |||
| Prentiss is shown to be an extremely competent, level-headed agent. She is not as affected by the nightmares that come with the job and manages to keep her cool in hostile confrontations. She is also shown to put herself in the line of fire, for example, volunteering to enter into the unsub's house to rescue his young son, and sacrifice herself for her teammates, as she does for Reid once in the season 4 episode, "Minimal Loss". She does not act rashly and there is only one rare occasion where she allows her personal feelings to interfere with investigations.<ref name="demonology">"Demonology," Season 4 Episode 17</ref> It has been mentioned by Morgan that she has problems trusting others, preferring to handle things independently instead of asking for help, but it is revealed that this reluctance is due to her background as an undercover agent. | |||
| During her teenage years in Rome, Emily faced significant challenges, including a rebellious phase characterized by a goth persona and a desire to fit in with her peers. At fifteen, she became pregnant and sought advice from her priest, who warned her against abortion. With the help of her friend Matthew Benton, Emily ultimately had an abortion, which left her traumatized and distressed. Prentiss would later reconcile with her faith, gaining empathy and wisdom from her past experiences. | |||
| ===Ian Doyle and "death"=== | |||
| In the sixth season, Prentiss is notified by her former superiors at ] that arms dealer Ian Doyle (]) has escaped from prison in ]. Later, after returning home from work, Prentiss receives several hang-up calls on her home phone from an unknown caller. She then realizes that someone might be watching her, so she sets up noise traps and sits in a chair in front of the door with a gun. Upon her return home on a subsequent night, she finds an anonymous gift on her doorstep, containing a single purple flower. She experiences a flashback to a past undercover job in a ] '']'' in ] under the alias Lauren Reynolds, during which she was acting as his girlfriend and observing Doyle. Recognizing that the gift of the purple flower means Doyle knows where she lives, Prentiss flees. In "Coda", Prentiss enlists two former Interpol colleagues in hunting Doyle. In "Valhalla", Tsia Mosely (]), one of her former Interpol colleagues, is shot in the head by Doyle.<ref>"Valhalla", Season 6 Episode 17</ref> At the end of that episode, Prentiss sneaks out of a meeting in order to save her BAU colleagues from Doyle. | |||
| Before joining the BAU, Emily worked for Interpol, where she operated as an undercover agent infiltrating international criminal organizations. Her most significant mission involved Ian Doyle, a dangerous arms dealer and terrorist. Posing as Lauren Reynolds, Prentiss gained Doyle’s trust and helped dismantle his network, orchestrating the faked death of his son to protect the child from Doyle’s life of violence. After Doyle's arrest and imprisonment, Emily believed the mission was complete, but Doyle later escaped, seeking revenge. This chain of events forced Emily to fake her own death in Season Six, leaving the BAU and her life behind to protect her team. Only two of her colleagues were aware of the plan, and her reappearance in the premiere of Season Seven brought shock, frustration, and confusion to the rest of the team. | |||
| At the beginning of "Lauren", it is revealed that Prentiss had been a spy eight years previously, on a task force profiling terrorists; while undercover, she met Doyle and became his lover. Her betrayal of Doyle led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment, including time in a North Korean prison. Prentiss tracks down Doyle in Boston and tries to kill him, but he takes her hostage. Later, Rossi realized that she left their team meeting suddenly in order to protect them from Doyle as it was Prentiss that Doyle was after. Hotch says they will treat Doyle as an "unsub" (unidentified subject) and Prentiss as his victim, and profile them just as they would in any other case. | |||
| === Personality === | |||
| They eventually track them down to an abandoned building in Boston and arrive with a ] team. Prentiss reveals to Doyle that his son, Declan Jones, whom Doyle believed had been killed with his pretending mother and Doyle's former housekeeper Louise Jones, is actually alive with her, and that she herself staged photos of executing them both in order to get Doyle to break under interrogation in North Korea. After an intense fight, Doyle manages to stab Prentiss in the abdomen with a broken table leg. Even though she is dying, she refuses to tell him where his son is hiding, and Doyle escapes shortly before Morgan reaches her. In the hospital, the BAU team is notified by JJ that Prentiss has never made it off the table. They are seen attending her funeral, on March 7, 2011. The last scene, however, reveals she is alive and in ], where JJ meets her and gives her an envelope with "passports from three different countries, and a bank account in each one to keep comfortable". Her pet cat Sergio is then adopted by Garcia. | |||
| Emily Prentiss is portrayed as a highly intelligent and composed agent, known for her adaptability, cultural knowledge, and careful approach to cases. Her diplomatic upbringing instilled professionalism and the ability to remain calm under pressure, while her multilingual skills and analytical expertise make her an invaluable profiler. Prentiss is deeply empathetic, often forming strong connections with victims and their families, which fuels her determination to bring justice. She is regarded as an influential, caring, and profound leader by her subordinates. | |||
| While generally level-headed, Prentiss is not immune to emotional responses, particularly in cases that echo her own past or involve significant injustice. Her sharp wit and dry humor help her bond with her team and diffuse tense situations, but she also has a deeply loyal and self-sacrificing nature. She has repeatedly risked her life to protect her colleagues. | |||
| ===Returning to the BAU=== | |||
| In the season seven premiere, Morgan captures Doyle, and Prentiss returns to the BAU to assist the team in finding who kidnapped Doyle's son, Declan, namely his mother, another felon, Chloe Donahy.<ref>"It Takes a Village," Season 7 Episode 1</ref> The team comes under fire from the judiciary panel for their retaliatory actions to avenge Prentiss' death, but everyone stands their ground to protect the team. Section Chief Erin Strauss later reveals to them that the committee was persuaded by Prentiss' defense and eventually decided to lift the BAU's suspensions although they will still be "keeping a close eye" on the members. Reid, who is still angry over her "death", refuses to speak to her or Jareau, or even look them in the eye. At the end of "Proof", Prentiss talks it through with him and they make amends.<ref>"Proof," Season 7 Episode 2</ref> In the premiere it is also revealed that Garcia has been taking care of her cat, Sergio, and when she inquires about him, Garcia jokingly states that she wants visitation rights. | |||
| == Storyline == | |||
| In the season seven finale, Prentiss receives an offer to run Interpol's ] office. While still pondering her decision on the offer, Prentiss decides to leave the BAU. In the season eight premiere, Morgan and Garcia mention seeing her while they were in London. | |||
| === Early Seasons (Seasons 2 to 7) === | |||
| Brewster returned for guest appearances in the season 9 episode "]" in 2014 and the season 11 episode "Tribute" in early 2016 before returning as a regular cast member in the season 12 episode "Taboo" later in the year.<ref>"Taboo," Season 12, Episode 3</ref> | |||
| Emily Prentiss is introduced in Season Two as a replacement for Agent Elle Greenaway, joining the BAU unexpectedly. Initially met with suspicion due to her diplomatic background and unapproved transfer, Prentiss establishes herself as a valuable member of the team, demonstrating her multilingual abilities, cultural expertise, and strong profiling skills. Over these seasons, elements of her backstory are revealed, including her experience growing up as the daughter of a U.S. ambassador, her difficult childhood, and her time working with Interpol. | |||
| Prentiss’s past plays a central role in Season Six when Ian Doyle, a former arms dealer she helped capture during her Interpol tenure, escapes prison and seeks revenge. Posing as “Lauren Reynolds” during her undercover mission, Prentiss had staged Doyle’s son’s death to protect the child from his father’s influence, sparking Doyle’s vendetta against her. In “Lauren,” Doyle captures and tortures Prentiss, leaving her gravely injured.<ref>'''S6 E18''' "Lauren". ''].'' March 16, 2011.</ref> To protect the BAU, Prentiss fakes her death with the help of Hotch and JJ and goes into hiding. She returns in Season Seven, rejoining the team to neutralize Doyle and ensure the safety of his son, Declan.<ref>'''S7 E1''' "It Takes a Village". ''].'' September 21, 2011.</ref> After resolving the conflict, Prentiss decides to leave the BAU at the end of the season, accepting a leadership position at Interpol’s London office. | |||
| In Season 12, Prentiss becomes the Unit Chief of the BAU, following Hotchner's departure.<ref>"Elliot's Pond," Season 12, Episode 6</ref> | |||
| === Guest Appearances (Seasons 9 and 11) === | |||
| ⚫ | ==References== | ||
| While Prentiss does not appear in Seasons Eight or Ten, she makes several guest appearances during Seasons Nine and Eleven. In Season Nine’s “200,” she assists the BAU in rescuing JJ from a terrorist group, briefly reuniting with her former colleagues.<ref>'''S9 E14''' "200". ''].'' February 5, 2014.</ref> In Season Eleven’s “Tribute,” she enlists the team’s help in apprehending an international serial killer who has moved from Europe to the United States. During this period, Prentiss is depicted as thriving in her role at Interpol while maintaining her ties to the BAU.<ref>'''S11 E19''' "Tribute". ''].'' March 30, 2016.</ref> | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| === Later Seasons (Seasons 12 to 17) === | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| Prentiss returns to the BAU in Season Twelve following Aaron Hotchner’s departure, stepping into the role of Unit Chief. Her tenure as leader involves managing internal challenges, including conflicts with FBI Assistant Director Linda Barnes, and leading the team through high-profile cases, such as the manhunt for serial killer Peter Lewis (Scratch). In “Wheels Up,” Prentiss is abducted and tortured by Scratch but refuses to compromise her team, highlighting her commitment to the BAU’s mission.<ref>'''S13 E1''' "Wheels Up". ''].'' September 27, 2017.</ref> She later oversees the resolution of Scratch’s threat. | |||
| Prentiss’s leadership is explored further in the later seasons, along with her efforts to balance her professional and personal life. Her romantic relationship with Agent Andrew Mendoza is a recurring subplot, and her candidacy for FBI Director in Season Fifteen reflects her stature within the bureau. Ultimately, Prentiss decides to remain with the BAU, reaffirming her connection to the team. By the end of the fifteenth season, she is promoted to Section Chief, overseeing the BAU and continuing her work within the FBI. Emily Prentiss has continued to appear in the series revival, ''Criminal Minds: Evolution''.<ref name=":0" /> She maintains her position as a Section Chief in Seasons 16 and 17, experiencing a major traumatic event at the end of Season 17 during the discovery of the last two suspects relating to "Gold Star." | |||
| {{Criminal Minds}} | |||
| ⚫ | == References == | ||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Prentiss, Emily}} | |||
| <references /> | |||
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Revision as of 19:14, 24 November 2024
Character in American television series Criminal Minds Fictional character| Emily Prentiss | |
|---|---|
| Criminal Minds character | |
.png) | |
| First appearance | S2 E9 "The Last Word" November 15, 2006 |
| Portrayed by | Paget Brewster |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Female |
| Title | FBI BAU Supervisory Special Agent FBI BAU Unit Chief FBI Section Chief |
| Occupation | FBI Section Chief |
| Seasons | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 |
Emily Prentiss is a fictional character in the CBS crime drama Criminal Minds, portrayed by Paget Brewster. A longtime member of the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU), Prentiss is characterized by her intelligence, linguistic skills, leadership skills, resilience, and diplomatic upbringing as the daughter of an ambassador. Prentiss plays a central role in the series, eventually becoming Unit Chief in Season Twelve and later Section Chief, a position she holds to this day. Brewster has continued her role in the series after its revival, Criminal Minds: Evolution.
She first appears in Season Two as a replacement for Agent Elle Greenaway, joining the team under unexpected circumstances. Initially facing suspicion due to her diplomatic background and political connections, Prentiss proves herself through her cultural knowledge, profiling expertise, and dedication to the team’s mission. Prentiss’s role in the BAU is marked by multiple departures and returns. In Season Six, she fakes her death to escape Ian Doyle, a dangerous nemesis from her past, and goes into hiding with the help of Hotch and JJ. She returns in Season Seven to assist the team in neutralizing Doyle but departs again at the season’s end to take a leadership position at Interpol in London. She sporadically appears in Season 9 to help the team investigate JJ's kidnapping and in Season 11 to help the team catch a serial-killer. In Season 12, Emily officially rejoins the BAU and assumes the role of Unit Chief following Hotch's resignation.
A major effect of Emily's storyline is that the actress, Brewster, has departed and returned to Criminal Minds two times for "creative, financial, and personal reasons." Her first departure was near the end of Season 6 when she was let go after the first 18 episodes. She was brought back as a guest star in Season 7 due to fan demand, and then left once again to focus on more comedic roles. Completely absent from Season 8 and Season 10, she did made sporadic appearances in Season 9 and Season 11. She reprised her role as a main character in Season 12 after Thomas Gibson, the actor portraying Hotch, was fired.
Character
Backstory
Emily Elizabeth Prentiss was born on October 12, 1970, into a high-profile diplomatic family. Her mother, Ambassador Elizabeth Prentiss, was a prominent U.S. diplomat whose career required frequent relocations to politically sensitive regions, including the Middle East and Europe. As a result, Emily spent much of her childhood living abroad, becoming fluent in multiple languages, including Arabic, Spanish, French, and Italian. Despite her privileged upbringing, Emily experienced emotional isolation, as her mother’s demanding career came alongside a lack of family interaction. The strained relationship with her mother became a recurring theme throughout her life.
During her teenage years in Rome, Emily faced significant challenges, including a rebellious phase characterized by a goth persona and a desire to fit in with her peers. At fifteen, she became pregnant and sought advice from her priest, who warned her against abortion. With the help of her friend Matthew Benton, Emily ultimately had an abortion, which left her traumatized and distressed. Prentiss would later reconcile with her faith, gaining empathy and wisdom from her past experiences.
Before joining the BAU, Emily worked for Interpol, where she operated as an undercover agent infiltrating international criminal organizations. Her most significant mission involved Ian Doyle, a dangerous arms dealer and terrorist. Posing as Lauren Reynolds, Prentiss gained Doyle’s trust and helped dismantle his network, orchestrating the faked death of his son to protect the child from Doyle’s life of violence. After Doyle's arrest and imprisonment, Emily believed the mission was complete, but Doyle later escaped, seeking revenge. This chain of events forced Emily to fake her own death in Season Six, leaving the BAU and her life behind to protect her team. Only two of her colleagues were aware of the plan, and her reappearance in the premiere of Season Seven brought shock, frustration, and confusion to the rest of the team.
Personality
Emily Prentiss is portrayed as a highly intelligent and composed agent, known for her adaptability, cultural knowledge, and careful approach to cases. Her diplomatic upbringing instilled professionalism and the ability to remain calm under pressure, while her multilingual skills and analytical expertise make her an invaluable profiler. Prentiss is deeply empathetic, often forming strong connections with victims and their families, which fuels her determination to bring justice. She is regarded as an influential, caring, and profound leader by her subordinates.
While generally level-headed, Prentiss is not immune to emotional responses, particularly in cases that echo her own past or involve significant injustice. Her sharp wit and dry humor help her bond with her team and diffuse tense situations, but she also has a deeply loyal and self-sacrificing nature. She has repeatedly risked her life to protect her colleagues.
Storyline
Early Seasons (Seasons 2 to 7)
Emily Prentiss is introduced in Season Two as a replacement for Agent Elle Greenaway, joining the BAU unexpectedly. Initially met with suspicion due to her diplomatic background and unapproved transfer, Prentiss establishes herself as a valuable member of the team, demonstrating her multilingual abilities, cultural expertise, and strong profiling skills. Over these seasons, elements of her backstory are revealed, including her experience growing up as the daughter of a U.S. ambassador, her difficult childhood, and her time working with Interpol.
Prentiss’s past plays a central role in Season Six when Ian Doyle, a former arms dealer she helped capture during her Interpol tenure, escapes prison and seeks revenge. Posing as “Lauren Reynolds” during her undercover mission, Prentiss had staged Doyle’s son’s death to protect the child from his father’s influence, sparking Doyle’s vendetta against her. In “Lauren,” Doyle captures and tortures Prentiss, leaving her gravely injured. To protect the BAU, Prentiss fakes her death with the help of Hotch and JJ and goes into hiding. She returns in Season Seven, rejoining the team to neutralize Doyle and ensure the safety of his son, Declan. After resolving the conflict, Prentiss decides to leave the BAU at the end of the season, accepting a leadership position at Interpol’s London office.
Guest Appearances (Seasons 9 and 11)
While Prentiss does not appear in Seasons Eight or Ten, she makes several guest appearances during Seasons Nine and Eleven. In Season Nine’s “200,” she assists the BAU in rescuing JJ from a terrorist group, briefly reuniting with her former colleagues. In Season Eleven’s “Tribute,” she enlists the team’s help in apprehending an international serial killer who has moved from Europe to the United States. During this period, Prentiss is depicted as thriving in her role at Interpol while maintaining her ties to the BAU.
Later Seasons (Seasons 12 to 17)
Prentiss returns to the BAU in Season Twelve following Aaron Hotchner’s departure, stepping into the role of Unit Chief. Her tenure as leader involves managing internal challenges, including conflicts with FBI Assistant Director Linda Barnes, and leading the team through high-profile cases, such as the manhunt for serial killer Peter Lewis (Scratch). In “Wheels Up,” Prentiss is abducted and tortured by Scratch but refuses to compromise her team, highlighting her commitment to the BAU’s mission. She later oversees the resolution of Scratch’s threat.
Prentiss’s leadership is explored further in the later seasons, along with her efforts to balance her professional and personal life. Her romantic relationship with Agent Andrew Mendoza is a recurring subplot, and her candidacy for FBI Director in Season Fifteen reflects her stature within the bureau. Ultimately, Prentiss decides to remain with the BAU, reaffirming her connection to the team. By the end of the fifteenth season, she is promoted to Section Chief, overseeing the BAU and continuing her work within the FBI. Emily Prentiss has continued to appear in the series revival, Criminal Minds: Evolution. She maintains her position as a Section Chief in Seasons 16 and 17, experiencing a major traumatic event at the end of Season 17 during the discovery of the last two suspects relating to "Gold Star."
References
- Haines, Sydney Baum (2021-08-09). "Every Job Position Emily Prentiss Landed On Criminal Minds". Looper. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- ^ Hebert, Olivia (2022-11-25). "'Criminal Minds: Evolution' Cast and Character Guide". Collider. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- Lealos, Shawn S.; Cotter, Padraig (2022-09-14). "Criminal Minds: Emily Prentiss' Fake Season 6 Death Explained". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- Kaloi, Stephanie (2021-06-05). "Did This Prentiss Scene On Criminal Minds Go Too Far?". The List. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- Bruce, Amanda; Tyler, Adrienne (2023-05-07). "Why Paget Brewster's Emily Left Criminal Minds And Returned (Twice)". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- "Paget Brewster Is Returning to Criminal Minds (Yes, Again)". E! Online. 2016-02-10. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- "'Criminal Minds' fan recap: Paget Brewster returns as Emily Prentiss". Yahoo Entertainment. 2016-03-31. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- Gonzalez, Sandra (2016-08-30). "'Criminal Minds': Paget Brewster back for good". CNN. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- Ausiello, Michael (2016-08-30). "Criminal Minds: Paget Brewster Upped to Series Regular in Season 12 Following Thomas Gibson's Firing". TVLine. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- Sharma, Nemisha (2016-10-13). "Emily Prentiss Returns To The BAU In 'Criminal Minds' Season 12, Episode 3". International Business Times. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
- S6 E18 "Lauren". Criminal Minds Season 6. March 16, 2011.
- S7 E1 "It Takes a Village". Criminal Minds Season 7. September 21, 2011.
- S9 E14 "200". Criminal Minds Season 9. February 5, 2014.
- S11 E19 "Tribute". Criminal Minds Season 11. March 30, 2016.
- S13 E1 "Wheels Up". Criminal Minds Season 13. September 27, 2017.