Why are crime psychology fans confused about Garcia’s past?

This reddit theme about how Penelope Garcia and Derek Morgan meet to discuss in detail two different flashbacks that contradict her origin story. The user specifically referred to Episode 12 of Season 9, called “Black Queen”. This episode clearly shows that Garcia was arrested by the FBI and employed by a law enforcement organization. There’s even a memorable scene where she shamelessly flirts with tasteful detective Derek Morgan (Shemar Moore) and, in turn, receives a nonchalant “welcome to the team” from her co-stars. his new career.

But like u / Comfort_Cup5269 pointed out that in the same subject, there is another flashback in the same section that tells a different story. In that particular flashback, “Morgan [calls] Garcia babygirl for him [doesn’t] remember Garcia’s name” – but it seems a bit odd that he would forget her, given the fact that their first social interaction was awkward and uncomfortable. Another user, u / yates9987provided a few more details, noting that Morgan mistakenly referred to Garcia by her last name (“Gomez’) and also referred to her in flashbacks as “the new tech girl”. They concluded their post by suggests that Garcia’s real story is whichever option “makes more sense” for the viewer.

There are a lot of shows with inconsistent standards on TV, especially on network television, where many episodes have to be shot quickly to keep viewers satisfied. But having two completely different flashbacks to the same character in the same season feels a bit puzzling.