In NCIS Season 22, the show has finally addressed Ellie Bishop’s departure, signaling that it’s moving on from her storyline after her controversial exit in Season 18. Bishop, portrayed by Emily Wickersham, made her last official appearance in the Season 18 finale, leaving fans hopeful for a potential return. Her exit left a major void, especially because of her unresolved, will-they-won’t-they relationship with fellow agent Nick Torres, making her departure even more disappointing.
However, in Season 22, Episode 3, titled “The Trouble With Hal,” Torres reveals he’s ready to start dating again, marking a clear shift as he finally moves past Bishop. Throughout her time on the show, Bishop and Torres shared a flirty yet undefined connection, but her sudden exit left Torres struggling with trust issues. Now, by admitting he’s open to new relationships, Torres signals that NCIS is finally ready to move forward from Bishop’s arc.
Bishop’s departure was set up in Season 18 when she was approached by Odette Malone, a former CIA instructor who previously worked with Ziva David. Bishop chose to leave NCIS to work undercover with Odette, needing to pose as a disgraced agent to establish her cover. This required her to “leak” NSA files, forcing her to either face charges or disappear with Odette. She ultimately chose to leave, sacrificing her career and personal ties.
The nature of her exit sparked controversy as it contradicted her core values on the team. By secretly planning her departure and leaving without a formal goodbye, she hurt her teammates and shattered Torres’ trust. In her final moments, however, she and Torres shared a meaningful goodbye and a kiss, acknowledging their true feelings before she disappeared.
