FBI: Most Wanted is coming to an end, and it looks like they’re already setting up a great way for Sheryll Barnes to close out her character arc on the show!
Caution: This article contains SPOILERS for FBI: Most Wanted Season 6 Episode 17
FBI: Most Wanted fans are saddened by the news that the popular spinoff is coming to an end with its sixth season. It’s still surprising that CBS decided to cancel both it and the FBI: International spinoff.
Thankfully, the writers are being given a chance to craft a good finale that hopefully brings the story arcs of the characters to a proper close. A recent episode had Remy (Dylan McDermott) having a fun time with his girlfriend and buying a bar, hinting he’s setting himself up for retirement.
A big focus this season has been on Sheryll Barnes (Roxy Sternberg). She’s had her issues from her tough divorce and reentering the dating life. At the start of the episode “Gut Job,” Barnes seemed a bit lost at a dating mixer with younger people. She was distracted by a message on her phone.
The message was a posting about a new job opening heading up the Violent Crimes Task Force in Washington, D.C. Barnes seemed interested as she hid the phone from Hana and kept it to herself.
Barnes had to put it off as the team raced to find a man framed for the murder of his wife. It was a tough case, but thankfully, they rescued the man and caught the real killer. This set up a big ending.
Barnes talks to Isobel in FBI: Most Wanted
Barnes met with Isobel (Alana de la Garza), who, in her own FBI episode, had been mulling over her future after reaching 20 years in the Bureau. Barnes brought up the offer, noting the benefits in a promotion, better pay, and being closer to her kids in D.C.
Isobel was happy to recommend Barnes for the job with her long career. Barnes added that she hadn’t made up her mind but needed to consider this. She also asked Isobel to keep this quiet until she could talk to Remy and the team and make up her mind.
That was a major turn, so is the show set to say farewell to Barnes?
Barnes could get a great ending in FBI: Most Wanted
Ending a show like FBI: Most Wanted can be tricky. It may be that the producers decide not to do any major finale, just another case, and the idea is that the team will continue on their missions for years to come. Still, after six seasons, Barnes needs a better exit.
Along with Hana, Barnes is the only character who’s been with the show since the start, enduring everything from losing friends to a broken marriage to being shot. She’s given everything she has to this job and put in her time. Fans will remember Barnes wasn’t happy about how Remy took over as team leader after Jess died, as it was hinted she thought she deserved the slot. And frankly, she did deserve it.
Barnes is smart and capable, and the team trusts her, often leaning on her for support on cases. She showed she could be a good leader in some investigations, and stepping into the top slot seemed inevitable. It would have been a logical ending for the series for Remy to step down and his recommendation for Barnes to take over for him as team leader. Maybe that still happens, yet this is a good idea too.
Having Barnes get out of the tough job of hunting fugitives and leading her own task force is a logical step for her. As she points out, it’s more money, a promotion and closer to her family. It’s a much-needed move as she needs a fresher push for her life and career.
Barnes is expected to still be around until the series finale on Tuesday, May 20, as it seems unlikely the show will write off a major character before its end. The next episodes will have her figuring out her career and the team finding out. However it works out, Barnes ending up getting a new position of some sort seems the best way to close out her character and a good payoff for longtime FBI: Most Wanted fans.
FBI: Most Wanted Season 6 airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on CBS.