The jaw-dropping FBI season 7 finale concluded with Isobel seemingly dead after she collapsed, with no pulse found. During the action-packed episode, Isobel was meeting with ADIC Reynolds when his phone blew up in their faces. Reynolds died, but Isobel, bruised and bloodied, was revealed to have survived, reconnecting with the team at the DOJ office to arrest Keane.
However, when addressing her team, Isobel suddenly began repeating herself and scrambling her words before pausing and collapsing to the floor. Maggie raced to her side but found no pulse, urging the others to call 911, with Isobel seemingly dead and her definitive fate left unknown to the viewer.
FBI already teased Maggie’s exit earlier in the season, and given the events of the season 7 finale, there is a good chance that Isobel will not be returning to the show. There is no confirmation that the character is dead yet, but things don’t look good. If Isobel is dead, this presents quite a few changes for FBI season 8 and beyond.
8
Her Family Will Be Left Rudderless
Phillip & His Daughters Will Be Devastated
FBI season 7 introduced Isobel’s husband, Phillip, with whom she shares stepdaughters. Isobel’s marriage reveal was a shock to the characters (and viewers), and she revealed she’s only been married for a few months. Losing Isobel at this stage could be catastrophic for Phillip and his daughters.
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This season of FBI has chosen to give Isobel more of a personal storyline, with a focus on her private life for the first time since she joined the procedural in season 2. It would be an emotional gut punch to establish this strong family unit and then to rip it away on account of Isobel’s untimely death.
7
The Team Could Struggle
Jubal & The Team Were Heavily Reliant On Isobel
There is no question that Isobel was a crucial part of the team, often going to bat for the other agents and butting heads with higher-ups when required. She is also one of the most cunning operatives, instrumental in taking down Forefront, and Jubal, in particular, is reliant on her, finding her a grounding influence in his professional life.
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However, there is also a school of thought that the team and the show need a mix-up with some new team dynamics. This could be a way for the show to turn Isobel’s death into something meaningful and use it to drive dynamic growth for the rest of the team.
It Would Be Bittersweet If Long Overdue
If Isobel is dead, or if she survives but decides to retire, it would pave the way for Jubal to get a promotion in FBI. The show has already established that Jubal applied for Isobel’s job and was turned down, which initially made things tense between them and implicated Jubal in the Forefront case.
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With Isobel now potentially out of the picture, the path may be clear for him to take the SAC job, especially if he plays a key role in identifying Isobel’s attacker. Of course, promoting Jubal could also cause a chain reaction and could result in other characters needing to be promoted, which could impact other plot points.
5
Maggie & OA Might Split
If Either Of The Two Is Promoted, They’d Have To Call Time On Their Relationship
One of the big changes that could occur during FBI season 8 is the collapse of a potential romance storyline between fan-favorite pairing Maggie and OA. The two are both experienced and talented agents, and if Jubal is to gain a promotion, it makes sense that one of them might be asked to take over his role as assistant SAC.
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Of course, if this were to happen, it would mean the chances of Maggie and OA continuing to pursue a romance would be greatly diminished. Having one in charge of the other presents ethical concerns if they are in a relationship and might put an end to the idea before anything happens.
4
It Will Show That Anyone Is At Risk Of Death
Isobel Dying Will Set A Precedent Where No One Is Safe
If Isobel is dead, this will set a precedent as it will be the first major character death in FBI and could be a sign of things to come. While it is unlikely the show would choose to kill several main characters in quick succession, Isobel’s potential death raises the drama, proving that no character is completely safe.
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This is a common trope employed by shows, but it’s a very effective one and adds more investment for the audience, causing them to worry more about the characters. Ultimately, Isobel’s death could be a great way for the show to reinvent itself and make the world of FBI a more dangerous and treacherous one for its characters.
3
There Could Be A Focus On Forefront
The Terrorist Organization Could Take Center Stage
While the season 7 finale showed the arrest of Keene as a mole, there was no confirmation that Forefront will be pulling back on their criminal activity. The group remains at large, and as they were central to the attempt on Isobel’s life, they could be front and center in the plot next season, as the team seeks to bring them down.
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The nature of organizations like Forefront is that it is almost impossible to fully eradicate them, but the team will be looking to avenge Isobel. This could lead to some pretty prominent arrests, or deaths, early in the season, as the team faces off against the members of Forefront, to try to bring them down.
2
New Characters Could Be Introduced
There Might Be New Casting Choices
Instead of internal promotions to fill the void left by Isobel’s death, there could be new FBI characters introduced, and her position might be filled by someone completely new. This will no doubt add friction to the team dynamic and cause strained relationships since they are close and tend to distrust outsiders.
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It will be interesting to see how this would impact Jubal and how his fragile state might be impacted by both the loss of Isobel and being passed over for promotion once again. This will be an intriguing plot point and a great way to mix things up by introducing some chaos into the show.
1
Revamping Security Measures
Isobel’s Death Coupled With Infiltration By Moles Requires A Security Overhaul
Another core plot point for FBI season 8 will need to be a complete overhaul of the Bureau’s security protocols following the deaths of Reynolds and Isobel, as well as infiltration by Forefront. This is going to lead to tighter and stricter security but might also create a culture of paranoia within the team.
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Increased security measures and protocols could become a hindrance as they add more red tape to investigations and operations, and this could lead to clashes between agents and with those higher up. However, something will need to be done, and the Bureau will have to take decisive action following such a high-profile death and to reduce the risk of future moles.
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