Bishop’s Shocking Return: A Familiar Face Haunts NCIS
NCIS is keeping its promise of bringing back beloved characters, as evidenced by a stunning twist in its recent fall finale. Sean Murray, who portrays Agent Timothy McGee, had previously hinted at the return of a well-known figure from the show’s past. “Someone from the world of NCIS who everyone knows very well but hasn’t seen in a very long time may pop up,” Murray teased, setting the stage for a significant revelation.
That revelation arrived in the form of former NCIS Special Agent Eleanor Bishop, played by Emily Wickersham. In a surprising turn of events, Agent Jessica Knight received her first assignment from her NCIS: Elite supervisor, only to be presented with a photo of Bishop as the target. The directive was clear: details would follow, and the shocking development was to be kept under wraps.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Bishop herself was seen secretly observing Knight and the rest of the NCIS team from her car as they attended a service for Director Parker’s mother. This unexpected cameo marks Wickersham’s first appearance on the series since her departure in May 2021, leaving fans to question the circumstances surrounding Bishop’s current predicament.
Unraveling Bishop’s Past: The Undercover Gambit
To understand Bishop’s current situation, it’s crucial to revisit the events that led to her exit. Her last appearance in the Season 18 finale saw her implicated in the decade-old leaking of highly classified NSA documents. However, it was revealed that Bishop orchestrated her own exposure as the leaker. Her true intention was to resign from NCIS under a cloud of disgrace, thereby enabling her to join a clandestine undercover operation alongside Odette Malone, a friend of Ziva David.
During a confrontation with her colleague Nick Torres, who questioned her deception and evasiveness, Bishop confessed her true motives, admitting, “I didn’t mean for us to happen.” Before embarking on her perilous mission, Bishop shared a poignant and passionate goodbye kiss with Torres. Following Bishop’s departure, Agent Jessica Knight, played by Katrina Law, joined the NCIS team, effectively filling the void left by Bishop.
The current storyline raises compelling questions: Has Bishop’s undercover work inadvertently led her into trouble, attracting the unwelcome attention of NCIS: Elite? Or is she deliberately drawing them in, perhaps seeking their assistance? Her clandestine surveillance of her former teammates, while being a target herself, suggests a deeper, more complex motive.
Wickersham’s Farewell and A Look Ahead
Emily Wickersham, who became a series regular on NCIS in Season 11, took to Instagram in May 2021 to confirm her departure. She shared her reflections on her time with the show, writing, “Hangin this hat and jacket up. What a great ride it’s been. This cast, this crew, are top notch. I can’t say enough kind words about this group that I’ve had the pleasure of working with for close to 8 years now and 172 episodes later.”
Wickersham further elaborated on the nature of her profession and her gratitude for her experience on NCIS. “This business is finicky and weird and consistency is a rarity,” she noted. “I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of a show where I got to show up and act and laugh and learn with wonderful people. A moment in time I surely won’t forget. Thank you CBS and NCIS for including me in a part of television history. Time goes fast. Eat it up but chew slowly.”
Fans eager to see the continuation of Bishop’s story and the resolution of these unfolding mysteries can look forward to the next episode of NCIS. The series is set to return with a new installment on Tuesday, February 24th, at 8/7c on CBS.
For those who wish to revisit past episodes or catch up on the latest developments, NCIS is available for streaming on Paramount+.
The fall finale also delivered other significant plot developments, including a surprising turn in the love life of Gibbs in NCIS: Origins. Stay tuned for more updates and insights into the expanding NCIS universe.
