The latest episode of “NCIS,” aptly named “Heaven and Nature,” brought unexpected twists and turns for fans, especially with the return of a familiar face. Jessica Knight, portrayed by Katrina Law, tackles her inaugural case as part of the NCIS Elite, only to find her investigation leading her to none other than Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop. Emily Wickersham’s character, who departed from the NCIS team five seasons ago, is now in Knight’s crosshairs. Jessica is visibly unsettled by the task of apprehending her friend, unaware that Ellie seems to be a step ahead, covertly observing the team at the reburial service for Alden Parker’s mother.

Ellie’s unexpected return has sent shockwaves through the fanbase, especially since many believed Emily Wickersham had closed the chapter on her “NCIS” role. Viewers last saw Ellie in Season 18, Episode 16, titled “Rule 91,” reflecting one of Gibbs’ many maxims. Her departure to work with Odette Malone left a void, severing ties with her teammates and leaving her budding romance with Nick Torres, played by Wilmer Valderrama, in limbo—a moment etched in “NCIS” history as one of the most poignant for Torres.

Excitingly, showrunner Steven D. Binder discussed the ramifications of Ellie’s surprising return, revealing that this storyline will extend into one more episode. Fans can anticipate Ellie’s presence in the first episode following the winter hiatus, scheduled to air on February 24, 2026, leaving them with much to ponder during the wait.

The pressing question hanging over this plotline is whether Ellie has truly betrayed her former team. Previously, she faced accusations of leaking sensitive information, but the team ultimately exonerated her. Now, speculation abounds about whether she could be implicated in something even more serious. The truth remains elusive for now.

The big lingering question looming over this storyline is a simple one, but one that will have far-reaching consequences for the team: did Ellie actually betray them? She was previously accused of such a crime when she left the NCIS organization, but the crew managed to figure out that Ellie wasn’t actually guilty of leaking old intelligence information. Is it possible that she’s now responsible for something far worse? The truth remains unclear.

It may seem impossible to fans who followed Ellie for seasons to believe that she might do something this heinous, but as Steven D. Binder explained to TV Line, a lot of things have happened to Ellie since she left the team. “She is not the same person that left the show,” he said. “She’s a very different person. A lot has happened to her, and that will go a long way to explain why we are looking for her in a way that suggests she’s done something wrong.” It’s a harbinger of what could be one of the most dire cases of Knight’s life — and one that could cost Ellie more than her freedom.