NCIS Boss Explains Bishop’s Long-Awaited Return and What it Means for Torres
The NCIS fall finale (aired Tuesday, December 16) ended with a major twist: NCIS: Elite’s new target is Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop (Emily Wickersham), who was last seen in the Season 18 finale. The episode ends with Bishop watching the team from a cemetery – and Agent Knight (Katrina Law) realizing Bishop is her assignment. Elsewhere in the episode, Parker (Gary Cole) finally learns the truth about his mother’s death. He discovers she was k1lled by an abusive cop while protecting Lily, the cop’s daughter. Parker finds closure after meeting Lily as an adult and giving his mother a proper burial. Executive producer Steven D. Binder says Bishop’s return happened once it became clear Wickersham was open to coming back. The timing, he explains, allows the show to revisit unresolved storylines – especially Bishop’s abrupt exit and her unfinished emotional arc with Torres (Wilmer Valderrama). Binder confirms Bishop is back for one episode for ...