That’s a wrap on NCIS Season 18. We just watched the twisty finale, and its left us with one big question. Is that it for Ellie Bishop?
What a question-filled episode of NCIS. The finale had two storylines going on, and both were left relatively open. For now, we’re focused on Bishop’s storyline as she was accused of leaking NSA information 10 years ago, so just before she joined the team.
At first, Bishop claimed innocence. Then she admitted to Vance that she did it. Only nobody could believe that Bishop would do such a thing, and it led to Nick doing some thinking.
As he worked through everything, it was clear that there have been plenty of hints that the twist at the end was going to come throughout the season. Bishop has gained plenty of new skills, including new fighting and gun skills, and Nick couldn’t help but notice flaws in Bishop’s stories.
He realized she was working with Odette, the woman who had helped Ziva. We knew Bishop had initially started working with Odette, and then it looked like nothing was going to happen. That was until now. Bishop is leaving, and she needs to look like a disgraced NCIS agent to do it.
Update (May 26, 2021): Emily Wickersham has confirmed she’s leaving NCIS.
Will Emily Wickersham return to NCIS Season 19
Right now, it looks like Bishop is leaving the team and potentially the country. It looks like that’s it for Emily Wickersham, although there’s been no such confirmation just yet.
To be honest, that exit doesn’t feel all that permanent. There is so much more to this story, and whoever Bishop is going off to work with could quite easily clean things up when and if Bishop ever needs to return. It would take a lot to build trust with her friends again, but it would be possible.
Of course, this doesn’t mean this isn’t the end. There are a lot of loose ends, but then, isn’t that life? Look at Jack Sloane’s exit, which still left a lot unsaid between her and Gibbs. This could be it for Bishop.
This is where Agent Jess Knight comes in, though. Knight was more than happy to help the team with their situation, and we know Katrina Law came in with the option of becoming a series regular on NCIS Season 19. It looks like that’s certainly possible with the way the Season 18 finale went down.
Don’t rule anything out just yet. We may see Bishop return on NCIS Season 19.
What did you think of Bishop’s storyline on the NCIS Season 18 finale? Do you think Bishop is gone for good? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
NCIS Season 19 will air on Mondays at 9/8c on CBS in fall 2021. Catch up with the latest season on Paramount+.