Who Is Knight’s ELITE Target? NCIS’ Game-Changing Character Comeback Explained

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Okay, huge spoilers ahead for the latest NCIS episode, “Heaven and Nature”! As a longtime fan, I was genuinely shocked by the season 23 fall finale. After over twenty years, you’d think the show couldn’t surprise me anymore, but they really pulled it off! They’ve given us plenty of twists and turns over the years – some sad, some revealing – but nothing beats seeing a beloved character return. This comeback feels like it’s going to seriously change things for the MCRT team, and honestly, it’s one of the biggest plot twists in the show’s history. As a fan of the NCIS franchise, seeing a familiar face come back is always a treat, but this one feels extra special.

NCIS is having a strong season on CBS. After a few years of declining viewership and somewhat unclear storylines, the show seems to have regained its focus in its 23rd season. While the season has been consistently good, the fall finale promises a major twist that will make the rest of the season even more compelling.

Who Is Ellie Bishop? Emily Wickersham’s NCIS Character History Explained

CBS

The latest episode of NCIS season 23 ended with a shocking twist: Knight received her first high-stakes mission, only to discover her target was none other than Ellie Bishop, a former team member now working undercover. The episode then revealed a preview of Emily Wickersham returning to reprise her role as Bishop.

Bishop joined NCIS after Ziva’s departure in season 11, becoming the third woman on the Major Crimes Response Team. Initially an NSA analyst, she transferred to NCIS to work with Gibbs and his team. While Bishop was intelligent and a strong thinker, she lacked practical field experience. This became a key part of her character development, as she learned from Gibbs, as well as working alongside DiNozzo and McGee.

Bishop’s departure from NCIS during season 18 was unexpected. It turned out she’d been secretly preparing for an undercover assignment, and once qualified, she immediately left the team for a long-term mission. This came as a shock to her colleagues, especially Torres, with whom she had a romantic relationship. Despite leaving, Wickersham has stayed in touch with the cast and crew, leaving the door open for a potential return in the future.

What Bishop’s Return Means For NCIS Season 23

The fall finale of NCIS season 23 offers few clues about Bishop’s situation. When Vance asks Knight to find her, he’s secretive and stresses the need for discretion, especially making it clear Torres shouldn’t be informed.

I’m honestly a little surprised to see Bishop back, especially with everything going on with Palmer, Knight, and Torres! We all know Torres was really hurt after his relationship with Bishop ended, and he’s been hesitant to date since then. While I don’t think she’ll stick around for long, I have a feeling her return is going to bring up a lot of old emotions for her and Torres. It’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out!

It’s not just Bishop’s own problems that are concerning – the fact that NCIS is sending a highly skilled team after her suggests she’s involved in something serious. Unlike when Ziva came back, Bishop can’t rely on Gibbs for help. McGee might be her best hope, but keeping things secret from the rest of the NCIS team will be tough. Still, NCIS has created a compelling story arc that will unfold throughout 2026.

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2025-12-17 04:58