NCIS Just Rewrote Knight’s Entire Storyline by Reviving Its Most Complicated Character Exit

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The latest season of NCIS has taken the show in a surprising new direction, especially for Jessica Knight (Katrina Law). The fall finale ended with a major cliffhanger – the most shocking in years! Episode 9, titled “Heaven and Nature,” brought back a former colleague of the legendary Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), and this return promises big changes for the team in the rest of Season 23.

NCIS has had a strong season, showing improvement after some weaker storylines in the past. While the show faced challenges adjusting after Mark Harmon left in Season 19, Season 23 has brought compelling new developments for both Alden Parker (Gary Cole), who took over as team leader, and Jessica Knight, with her intriguing new role within an elite NCIS unit.

Who Is Eleanor Bishop In NCIS Season 23? Knight’s NCIS Elite Target Explained

The latest episode of NCIS Season 23 revealed that Knight receives news from Director Vance regarding her situation. Her team’s first assignment involves finding a fugitive, but the case takes a surprising turn when Vance shows them a photo of the target – Eleanor Bishop, a former colleague.

The mystery deepens as the scene shifts to former Agent Bishop, who is secretly observing Knight and her team at Parker’s mother’s funeral. Bishop is clearly ahead of the game and seems to anticipate the agency’s pursuit, suggesting she’s already aware they’re onto her.

Since leaving NCIS in Season 18, Eleanor Bishop hasn’t been mentioned much. However, Bishop was a key member of Gibbs’ team for eight seasons. Originally joining from the NSA, she worked with agents like Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) before going undercover on a long-term assignment.

Why Eleanor Bishop Left NCIS And Why She Is A Wanted Fugitive In Season 23

In Season 18, Eleanor Bishop departed from NCIS after connecting with Odette Malone (Elayn J. Taylor), a former CIA colleague involved in a highly classified operation. As part of a plan to go undercover with Malone, Bishop intentionally damaged her reputation at NCIS by pretending to have leaked sensitive NSA documents.

Bishop’s exit from the show was a little shocking, unlike the more emotionally satisfying goodbyes of characters like Gibbs or Tony. Her past work with the CIA might explain why she’s now a fugitive in Season 23 of NCIS. The show revealed she was operating undercover, which could have put her in a dangerous situation.

Vance isn’t sharing details about Jess’s first major NCIS assignment yet. But when NCIS returns for the second half of Season 23 in 2026, we’ll probably learn more about the mission. For now, it’s unclear if Bishop is secretly working for the CIA, justifying her actions, or if she’s truly gone rogue and is committing crimes.

The current storyline involving Bishop shares similarities with a past NCIS plot. That earlier story began by presenting Knight as a fugitive with a hostage, but it was later revealed she was actually working undercover to capture a dangerous cartel leader and had to make difficult choices to do so. Bishop’s situation could develop in a similar way, with her actions ultimately being connected to a secret CIA operation.

What Bishop’s Return Means For Jessica Knight And Nick Torres

Now that Bishop is back, her past actions as an undercover agent could cause problems within NCIS if her teammates find out about the secret mission she involved Knight in. Torres, McGee, and Jimmy all worked closely with Ellie, and her return is especially significant for Knight and Torres, who previously had romantic feelings for her before she unexpectedly left.

Nick was hesitant to start dating again after Ellie left, and he still seemed to have feelings for her, which might explain why Jess turns to him when Vance asks her to keep a secret. It won’t be long before everyone at MCRT finds out about Knight’s assignment, and when that happens, Torres’ old feelings could resurface.

NCIS Season 23 appears to be setting up a romantic rivalry, and Bishop’s return could significantly complicate things between Jess and Nick. The show has essentially created a new love triangle, with Bishop potentially coming between them as Knight’s storyline develops.

Season 23 of NCIS featured a truly surprising plot twist, arguably one of the biggest in the show’s history. Viewers will learn what happens next when the season returns on February 24th with Episode 10. In the meantime, Ellie, who used to work as an NSA analyst, is keeping a close eye on her former colleagues.

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2025-12-18 06:37