Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for FBI: Most Wanted Season 6, Episode 17.
Following the cancellation of FBI: Most Wanted, many fans, including myself, envisioned Agent Sheryll Barnes (played by Roxy Sternberg) stepping up as the leader of the Fugitive Task Force. Throughout the series, she demonstrated tremendous dedication and made significant personal sacrifices, making her an ideal candidate for the role. However, recent developments in Season 6, Episode 17 raised pivotal questions about how Barnes will navigate this potential career opportunity, particularly in relation to her responsibilities as a mother.
Currently, Barnes is separated from her children, and while professional ambition is important, balancing it with motherhood presents challenges. With the conclusion of FBI: Most Wanted, the storyline must explore how Barnes can successfully juggle both her career and family life. The episode titled “Gut Job”suggests a pathway for her to achieve this balance.
Barnes: An Exceptional Candidate for Leadership
Isobel Recognizes Barnes’ Leadership Potential
It’s abundantly clear that Barnes possesses all the qualities needed to lead effectively. As a long-standing member of the Fugitive Task Force and Jess LaCroix’s trusted second-in-command, she has garnered trust and respect from her team. Her ability to connect with her colleagues is exemplified by Hana, who confides in her about personal matters that she would not share with others on the team.
Moreover, Barnes has consistently shown her commitment to the team, even risking her life on multiple occasions. Fans were left on edge in Season 5 when she was shot, underscoring her indispensable role within the group. With the possibility of Remy Scott (Dylan McDermott) retiring, the leadership position could soon be vacated, making it a natural progression for Barnes to ascend to that role. Hints in Season 6, Episode 14 suggest this trajectory is not only plausible but ideal.
Isobel Castille (Alana de la Garza), the seasoned agent from the flagship series, firmly believes in Barnes’s capabilities. In a pivotal moment during Season 6, Episode 17, Barnes solicits a recommendation from Isobel for a potential Supervisory Agent opportunity in Washington, D.C. Isobel’s agreement to support her reinforces her belief in Barnes’s qualifications for the role.
The Impact of Leadership on Barnes’ Family Time
The Toll of Leadership on Family Life
A significant concern arises about what Barnes’s promotion would mean for her children. A key issue identified in Season 6, Episode 17 is the fact that taking on the leadership role would lead to even less time with them. Barnes openly expressed her longing for her children; initially resistant to Charlotte (Fedna Jacquet) moving them to D.C., she ultimately recognized that it was in their best interest.
Previously, while balancing her responsibilities with the Fugitive Task Force, Barnes managed to stay actively involved in her children’s lives. However, the demands of leadership—marked by additional paperwork and team management—would further distance her from them. As the new leader, she would likely observe her already limited time with her children diminishing, leading to potential feelings of guilt and resentment regarding her career choices.
As her children grow older, they may question why their mother’s professional aspirations seem to take precedence over spending time with them. The emotional fallout from this realization could result in long-term repercussions, pushing Barnes further away from her children and fostering feelings of neglect and regret about her chosen path.
An Ideal Conclusion for Barnes in FBI: Most Wanted
Prioritizing Family Over Danger
In Season 6, Episode 17, Barnes encounters a job posting for a Supervisory Agent in D.C., hinting at growing interest in this direction. Although she hasn’t committed to applying yet, her dialogue with Isobel suggests she recognizes this move as an optimal balance between her professional life and her responsibilities as a mother.
Such a role would allow Barnes to achieve a more equitable custody arrangement with her ex-wife, ultimately enhancing her involvement in her children’s lives.
Given that FBI: Most Wanted has reached its conclusion, it would be fitting for Barnes to receive a promotion that would allow her to remain closer to her family. Although this position would confine her primarily to a desk role—significantly reducing fieldwork and travel—this transition would prioritize her safety while improving her presence in her children’s lives.
By securing a stable desk job, Barnes can make sacrifices now that would benefit her family in the long run, thereby minimizing feelings of absence and resentment. Such a resolution would provide a satisfying end to her narrative arc in FBI: Most Wanted.