Emily Wickersham returned to NCIS as Ellie Bishop in the show's season 23 winter premiere, where her character seeks help from Nick Torres to clear her name. The episode reveals a past romantic connection between Bishop and Torres and explores their unresolved tensions. Wickersham and co-star Wilmer Valderrama discussed the reunion in an interview, highlighting Bishop's changes and Torres' loyalty to the team.
In the winter premiere of NCIS season 23, aired on a Tuesday, Ellie Bishop reappears as a former team member now working undercover globally. She becomes a target after classified information is hacked from her team, leading her to recruit Nick Torres for assistance in proving her innocence. The plot includes a flashback confirming a romantic past between Bishop and Torres, beyond their professional rapport.
Bishop's colleague, Patricia, is revealed as the culprit who stole the top-secret data to sell it. After resolving the issue, Bishop returns to undercover work and invites Torres to join her, but he declines, stating, "For now, my place is here." Bishop responds, "And mine's out there."
In an interview with TVLine, Wickersham explained her return stemmed from a summer call from producers, noting it suited her life after having two children and focusing less on acting. She described Bishop as changed by years of intense experiences but retaining core traits, like her fondness for Klowny Kakes. "She's definitely come back a changed woman," Wickersham said, adding that Bishop maintains rapport with old colleagues.
Valderrama, portraying Torres, discussed the emotional flood upon reunion, stemming from Bishop's abrupt season 18 departure without a proper goodbye. He emphasized Torres' understanding of sacrifices in their line of work, saying the episode heals an "open wound." Regarding a potential romance with new team member Jess, Valderrama noted it remains uncertain, as "that's not in the kitchen yet."
Wickersham indicated Gibbs lingers in Bishop's thoughts, though Torres was the primary contact due to their bond. Both actors suggested future appearances for Bishop are possible, depending on writers' plans. The episode balances closure with openness for the characters' arcs.