Warning! Spoilers ahead for FBI season 7, episode 2.FBI cast since season 3, making her difficult to replace. She worked mainly with Scola, called out the FBI when she saw racial discrimination, and was one of the most dedicated of the team. However, it was clear Tiffany would not be able to stay with the NY Field Office much longer after she was traumatized by shooting Hakim, the man who killed her partner, at the end of season 6.
FBI justified Tiffany's exit during the premiere episode of season 7 with her explanation to Scola that she didn't want to be in the field anymore. She subsequently told Maggie that she was moving to Georgia so that she could regain a sense of peace. Her exit left a hole in the Field Office's core team that had to be filled. However, the series' first attempt at finding a replacement did not go well, as they introduced Sofia Otero.
FBI Season 7 Immediately Tries To Replace Tiffany
Scola's New Partner Made Things Worse Instead Of Better
's Tiffany leaving was the best thing for her character, but immediately introducing a new partner for Scola in season 7, episode 2, who quickly left, wasn't the best way to handle the aftermath of her departure. Sofia handled the arrest of a suspect in a way that could have been dangerous. She and Scola were supposed to stick together while looking for a man who was believed to have killed a suburban couple. However, she independently pulled a gun on a suspect who was showering outdoors while Scola was distracted calling for backup.
Why Katherine Renee Kane's Tiffany Wallace Left FBI In Season 7
FBI season 7 premiere addressed why Tiffany Wallace was leaving the team and revealed what her plans for her future would be after she was done.
After this rough start, Sofia seemed to settle in. She did a decent job of interviewing witnesses and suspects with Scola and was insightful enough to realize that a suspect's claim meant that the guy they were looking for would call looking for his money in FBI season 7, episode 2. However, Sofia ultimately decided she was not a good fit for the NY Field Office and left at the end of the outing, which wasted the time the audience invested in deciding whether she was a good replacement for Tiffany.
Sofia Otero's FBI Season 7 Immediate Exit Makes Tiffany's Absence Worse
It's Hard To Get Attached If The Audience Can't Trust A New Partner Is Permanent
It will be hard for audiences to adjust to a new character after Tiffany's absence because she was a core part of FBI for several years. Temporary characters such as Sofia, who only lasts one episode make this problem worse. This character was a stranger at the beginning of the episode and by the time it was clear what she was about, she was already leaving the show. Thus, Sofia's entrance and quick departure reinforces the sense of loss because Tiffany is no longer part of the series.
Sofia's temporary role will make it hard to trust that other partners brought in for Scola are staying, which will make it more difficult to invest emotionally in Tiffany's real replacement when she arrives.
It's realistic that Jubal would have a difficult time finding and hiring the right person to replace Tiffany, but it would be stronger drama for the unit to be short-staffed until a replacement is found. Handling the story this way would still allow for an emotional impact on FBI's Stuart Scola from Tiffany's absence without confusing or alienating the audience. Conversely, Sofia's temporary role will make it hard to trust that other partners brought in for Scola are staying, which will make it more difficult to invest emotionally in Tiffany's real replacement when she arrives.
Who Tiffany's True FBI Replacement Will Be
FBI Season 7 Has Plans In Place To Replace Tiffany
FBI has confirmed that Tiffany's real replacement will be a behavioral analyst named Syd (Lisette Olivera). This will be an interesting departure from the norm, as Syd's expertise is not in working cases in the field. Instead, she works behind the scenes as a profiler who uses her knowledge of psychology to determine what is motivating suspects and where they might strike next. However, if Syd works with Scola, she will have to venture out and confront suspects directly, which might be difficult for her because of her lack of experience.
The longer the series delays before introducing Scola's real partner, the harder it will be to trust that she will be worth investing time and attention, as the audience will be primed to expect her to leave after only a few episodes.
Syd's partnership with Scola will have a different dynamic because she doesn't have tactical experience. However, FBI should not waste much more time before introducing her. While Sofia's quick exit could be impactful for Scola, bringing in a temporary partner was a risky move. The longer the series delays before introducing Scola's real partner, the harder it will be to trust that she will be worth investing time and attention on, as the audience will be primed to expect her to leave after only a few episodes.
FBI is a procedural drama that explores the workings of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's New York office as dedicated agents tackle high-stakes cases involving terrorism, organized crime, and various formidable threats.
- Writers
- Dick Wolf
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