In the Season 18 finale, NCIS said goodbye to one of its own – though not necessarily for good, as the character is still alive – and it was far from the first time the team said goodbye to one of its members. It wasn’t the first time someone had left unexpectedly.
Ellie Bishop’s (Emily Wickersham) seasons-long arc culminated in her becoming a disgraced NCIS agent as a cover for an unknown undercover op. And, while it could have easily been a brief hiatus (and she could have rejoined the team early in Season 19), the star confirmed after the finale aired that it was her final episode.
Wickersham joins Sasha Alexander (Kate Todd), Michael Weatherly (Tony DiNozzo), Pauley Perrette (Abby Sciuto), Duane Henry (Clayton Reeves), and others on the cast list. In terms of shock factor, how does Bishop’s exit compare to the other characters’? Scroll down to find out.
NCIS, Season 19, CBS, Fall 2021
Alexandra Quinn (Jennifer Esposito) Is this shocking? No
It’s Creative? Not in particular
We learned that Esposito would not be returning as Quinn between Seasons 14 and 15. Quinn was caring for her Alzheimer’s-affected mother when the new season began.
Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette).
Shocking? No, we knew she was going to leave.
Creative? To some extent — Abby had done a lot of charity work over the years, so it was only natural for her to continue.
Though it appeared that Abby would be one of the characters who d1ed in her final episode, she recovered completely after being shot. Instead, her next chapter was linked to another interesting character’s: Reeves, who was shot and k1lled because he was with her. Abby carried out his plan to do charity work in memory of his mother.
Maria Bello as Jack Sloane
Shocking? Not at all.
It’s Creative? Somewhat
Jack was planning her exit on-screen ahead of her final episode, but it didn’t go as planned (it was mostly a vacation). She stayed in Afghanistan to assist the village where her friend was located. Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and she even kissed. The writing was on the wall the moment she stepped onto the plane bound for Afghanistan.
Ziva David (Cote de Pablo)
Shocking? When is it? Not in comparison to what came after.
It’s Creative? Yes, it is creative.
Ziva’s (initial) departure was not unexpected, as she left NCIS and shared a heartbreaking goodbye with Tony. What was surprising was her subsequent d3ath (off-screen!) and subsequent reappearance alive in Gibbs’ basement.
Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly) is a fictional character.
Shocking? Yes, we were aware that she was dying, but she was k1lled in the field.
It’s Creative? Somewhat
Jenny left her protection detail (Tony and Ziva) at an agent’s funeral in Los Angeles, though she took a fatal shot off-screen, and the story seemed to be building to something. But what happened after her d3ath was definitely shocking: the team was split up.
Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham).
Shocking? – Yes, nothing onscreen indicated that she wouldn’t return.
Creative? Yes, and it made use of an ongoing plot.
Since Bishop met ex-CIA instructor Odette (Elayn J. Taylor) and began training with her, we’ve seen small glimpses of how she’d changed. It all culminated in her accepting an undercover assignment that required her to pose as a disgraced NCIS agent — and thus confess to leaking NSA files. She leaves the team (and Wilmer Valderrama’s Torres with a kiss), but her departure is overshadowed by Gibbs’ boat exploding. Furthermore, most casual viewers may anticipate seeing her back with the team or on her operation when Season 19 begins.
Duane Henry – Clayton Reeves
Shocking? Yes, the focus had been on Abby’s departure.
Creative? – Yes, it is creative.
Reeves was k1lled because he was with Abby at the time she was targeted. It was simply the wrong place at the wrong time — and, to be honest, with an original cast member leaving, we expected it to be all about her. (It was.)
Tony DiNozzo (played by Michael Weatherly)
Shocking? Yes, Tony and Ziva have a child?!
Creative? – Yes, it is creative.
The pieces were falling into place for Tony to say goodbye to NCIS in his final episodes, but then came the real shock: Ziva was d3ad (not really, as we later discovered), and she and Tony had a secret daughter — one Tony had no idea about. What are you talking about?
Sasha Alexander as Kate Todd
Shocking? Yes, the team believed the threat had passed.
Creative? – Yes, it is creative.
The first major d3ath occurred just as Gibbs, Tony, and Kate thought the danger had passed them by. With t3rr0rist Ari Haswari (Rudolf Martin) allegedly targeting Gibbs, Kate was assigned to his security detail. Kate eventually dove in front of Gibbs, taking a bullet to the vest. Just as they thought all threats in the area had been eliminated, Kate was fatally shot in the head, k1lling her instantly.
Related News – Be sure to get some more news when it comes to NCIS.