Should ‘NCIS’ Replace Maria Bello’s Jack Sloane in Season 18?
Opinion
NCIS is saying goodbye to another cast member soon, and whenever a character leaves — especially in a procedural — there’s always the question of bringing someone in to fill the hole left behind.
After eight episodes of Season 18, Maria Bello is leaving. How her character, forensic psychologist Jacqueline “Jack” Sloane, will be written out is still unknown, but for now, we’re looking ahead to what could come after her final appearance.
This won’t be the first time the CBS procedural must figure out how to deal with an exit. After Sasha Alexander left (and her character, Kate Todd, was killed off), Cote de Pablo joined as the team’s Mossad liaison Ziva David. After Michael Weatherly’s (Tony DiNozzo) departure, we met Wilmer Valderrama’s Nick Torres. When the team lost Pauley Perrette’s Abby Sciuto, Diona Reasonover’s Kasie Hines became its new forensic scientist. The actor playing each new director joins the cast.
But does the team need another forensic psychologist? After all, it did just fine before Bello joined the cast in Season 15, with David McCallum’s Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard providing insight when needed. Plus, what made Jack a great addition — especially her relationships with the others, namely Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), in a bit of a will they/won’t they, and Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) — is unique to that character. Bringing in another forensic psychologist with the same or similar connections isn’t necessary because there shouldn’t be a straight replacement for Jack.
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)
But should there be a new team member at some point in Season 18? While there doesn’t need to be, one could work (in the second half, not immediately following Bellow’s last episode), and maybe it’s time to see a new probie. After all, the last new agent to join the team was Emily Wickersham’s Ellie Bishop, making the move from NSA analyst. (And now she’s taking the next steps in her career as well, training with ex-CIA instructor Odette, played by Elayn J. Taylor.)
Years ago, we watched both Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) go from probie to senior field agent and Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) go from Ducky’s assistant to medical examiner. Let’s see what the next generation could look like, especially since NCIS doesn’t seem to be slowing down and the series is celebrating 400 episodes this fall.
After all, we’re watching the NCIS: LA team think about its future on the spinoff. They’re planning for Operations Manager Hetty Lange’s (Linda Hunt) eventual retirement by thinking about her replacement and Sam Hanna (LL Cool J) wants to bring on younger agents to train them in their ways.
While another experienced agent — with a new perspective — wouldn’t be a bad thing, it’s time for NCIS to begin to think about the future as well.
NCIS, Season 18, Fall 2020, CBS
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Comments are closed on this story.
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G
Don’t think she brought anything to the show. Kind of drippy actually. Bring back Laura San Giancomo or Jamie Lee Curtis. They had a personality and they work well with Gibbs
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C
I kind of dreaded whenever Jack came on screen. Her character would act just goofy sometimes and I couldn't take her job seriously for it.
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G
With Bishop getting special training from Odette, the type of training not needed by investigators I think it may be a good time to replace Bishop as well.
Bishop could transfer to LA and become a Heddy in training for the time when Heddy retires.
Special ops training, infiltration techniques, deep undercover work skills are not suited for mother ship NCIS investigating murder of seamen and marines. Those skills are better suited to what the OSP branch of the LA office of NCIS. Callen and his crew does that every week. And to have an experienced NCIS field agent versed in investigative techniques as well as covert ops and training would be an asset as operations manager.
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C
I agree that Jack does not bring much to the show and neither does Abbey's replacement. But, please, not Jamie Lee Curtis. I would have to stop watching my favorite show if she were to become a regular..
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G
Bring Jamie Lee Curtis back!
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O
I like her she’s a cool Character
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J
Over the years, the writers on this show have been HORRIBLE when it comes to female characters. They create crappy characters, and even if they have a decent one, they don't know what to do with her.
'Bye, Jackie. Won't miss you a bit.
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J
Hmm, I wonder why the site flagged my comment above??
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O
I like the character of Jacqueline "Jack" Sloan played by Maria Bello!
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