I can say with certainty that Sheryll Barnes, the formidable agent on the FBI: Most Wanted team, was the only one who could have solved the harrowing trafficking case that unfolded in season 6, episode 4.
While Barnes has been a core part of the FBI: Most Wanted cast for seasons, she was notably absent from the first three episodes of season 6. The show explained that she was in Washington, D.C., helping her kids settle into their new home with her ex-wife, Charlotte. But when Barnes finally returned, the tension between her and team leader Remy Scott (Dylan McDermott) was palpable.
When Barnes learned that a human trafficking ring was holding a young girl named Jessie captive, everything escalated. Ignoring Remy’s orders to hand the case over to the FBI’s Organized Crime task force, Barnes became determined to rescue Jessie and the other victims herself.
The Key To Cracking The Case
What made Barnes the only one who could solve this case? It came down to a crucial detail about how the traffickers were communicating with their captives. Only by chance were the girls able to call a pre-programmed list of numbers, which included Barnes’. This allowed Jessie to regularly check in with Barnes and beg for help, while the rest of the team had no way to directly contact the victims.
Although Remy’s team might eventually discover a method to breach the traffickers’ system, time was crucial. Barnes’ established connection with Jessie was the fastest path to locating and rescuing the kidnapped girls. Her personal determination to help the victims also stemmed from her own recent loss—the decision of her ex-wife to move their children out of New York.
Facing The Consequences
Barnes’ single-minded focus on the trafficking case put her at odds with Remy, who explicitly ordered her to hand it off. In the end, Barnes’ insubordination paid off as the team was able to save the victims. But Remy made it clear there would be consequences, warning Barnes that if she defied him like that again, she’d be off the team.
Actress Roxy Sternberg, who plays Barnes, shared her thoughts on how this confrontation will impact the character moving forward. “It’s real. It’s scary. It’s a warning, which I don’t take lightly. It also comes as a surprise. I had anticipated receiving a commendation of some sort. I believe this will have an impact on her future work habits.
Indeed, Sternberg reveals that Barnes will now be cautiously “watching her next moves” to avoid inciting Remy’s wrath once more. This could fundamentally change Barnes’ approach to investigations, as she’ll have to balance her instincts with her boss’s orders.
A Potential Promotion For Barnes’ Future?
However, some fans are wondering if this incident might actually lead to a promotion for Barnes down the line. Sternberg teased that her character “meets someone” in an upcoming episode, hinting at a potential new romantic interest. And when asked if Barnes might consider becoming a supervisory special agent herself, the actress gave an intriguing response:
“I mean it’s real. It’s scary. It’s a warning, which I don’t take lightly. It also comes as a surprise. I had anticipated receiving a commendation of some sort. I believe this will have an impact on her future work habits.
Could Barnes’ willingness to go rogue for the sake of the mission make her a candidate for leadership? Only time will tell as FBI: Most Wanted continues to unfold. But one thing is certain: Sheryll Barnes is a formidable force, and the team is fortunate to have her expertise, even if it occasionally puts her at odds with the boss.
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