NCIS Season 23 Just Changed Everything — And It All Comes Down to Ellie Bishop
NCIS Season 23 delivered one of the franchise’s most shocking moments in years with its fall finale — a cliffhanger that puts Jessica Knight on a collision course with a familiar face fans never expected to see again.
In Episode 9, “Heaven and Nature,” Knight receives her first-ever NCIS Elite assignment from Director Vance: track down a high-profile fugitive. The mission takes a stunning turn when Knight sees the target’s photo — it’s Ellie Bishop, her former teammate.
The shock doesn’t stop there. Viewers soon learn Bishop is already watching Knight and the team from a distance during Parker’s mother’s funeral. Whatever she’s mixed up in, Bishop is clearly several steps ahead of NCIS — and may already know she’s being hunted.
Why Is Ellie Bishop a Fugitive?
Bishop last appeared in Season 18, when she staged her own professional disgrace to go undercover with a CIA operative connected to Ziva David’s past. Unlike many NCIS exits, her departure was messy, dangerous, and unresolved.
Now, Season 23 hints that her covert operation may have gone far deeper — and darker — than anyone realized. Whether Bishop has crossed the line into criminal territory or is still working an off-the-books mission remains a mystery. But NCIS history suggests her actions may once again be driven by a greater purpose.
What This Means for Knight and Torres
Bishop’s return hits especially close to home for Nick Torres, who never fully moved on after she disappeared. With Knight now tasked with bringing Bishop in, the situation places her at the center of a volatile mix of duty, secrecy, and complicated emotions.
If the team discovers that Bishop is Knight’s Elite target, the fallout could be just as explosive as the case itself — potentially reshaping relationships across the squad.
NCIS won’t return until February 24 with Episode 10, leaving fans to debate Bishop’s true allegiance and how her comeback will change the team forever.
One thing is clear: Ellie Bishop is back — and NCIS will never be the same.