Since the departure of Tiffany Wallace (portrayed by Katherine Renee Kane) in the FBI season 7 premiere, Stuart Scola (John Boyd) has been in search of a consistent partner. Although the series has seen numerous temporary partnerships, one individual stands out as the ideal permanent match for him: Nina Chase (Shantel VanSanten). Nina’s return to the franchise could not only solidify Scola’s role but also enrich the narrative.
Nina Chase made her entrance into the series when Maggie (Missy Peregrym) faced a near-fatal situation, allowing for a temporary exit that accommodated Peregrym’s maternity leave. During this period, Nina developed a romantic relationship with Scola, resulting in her pregnancy and their son, Dougie. Together, they now share a household while both are active agents within the FBI, with Nina currently collaborating with the Fugitive Task Force. Given the cancellation of FBI: Most Wanted, transitioning her character back to the main series seems not just plausible but logical.
Scola’s Quest for a Permanent Partner Following Tiffany’s Departure
Transient Partnerships: Fresh Yet Unsustainable
Since Tiffany’s exit, Scola has been continuously searching for a steady partner. Although Scola initially appeared to have found this in Syd Ortiz (Lisette Olivera), her departure to the Washington D.C. office after a handful of episodes proved otherwise. As reported by Deadline, the character’s perceived youthfulness led to questions about her suitability, prompting the writers to seek further options for FBI season 7.
The introduction of Dani Rhodes (Emily Alabi) in season 7, episode 16, offered a fresh dynamic. With her undercover identity compromised, Dani assisted the New York Field Office in investigating the leak, quickly establishing a rapport with Scola. Isobel subsequently offered her a permanent place on the team. While Dani’s presence is currently a positive addition, her long-term role remains uncertain.
The intriguing shuffle of partners has introduced spontaneity into the team dynamics, yet it poses challenges in establishing lasting relationships. The unpredictability of new characters fuels fresh storylines, countering the potential staleness that arises when the same individuals regularly collaborate.
Nina’s Potential Return as Scola’s Partner in FBI
Established Rapport: A Winning Combination
Nina’s suitability for a permanent partnership with Scola is unquestionable given their past collaborations. Their established rapport is crucial, as it minimizes potential friction and enhances teamwork efficacy. Furthermore, keeping Nina in New York allows her to balance work and family life, portraying a realistic and empowering narrative for working mothers.
As a mother, Nina’s presence sends a powerful message: it is possible to excel both at work and home. Maintaining this balance could resonate deeply with female viewers, showcasing that fulfilling both family and career aspirations is achievable.
Relationship Complexities: Why They Can’t Work Together
An Unwritten Guideline for Their Professional and Personal Lives
However, a significant hurdle exists in the form of an unwritten rule that governs Scola and Nina’s relationship. In an interview with TheWrap, VanSanten elaborated on their mutual agreement: one of them must always return home to care for their child, creating a dynamic where only one can tackle high-risk cases at any given time.
“[John and I] came to this understanding and agreement that they have a rule in their household that one of them always comes home. Meaning, if one is doing a really dangerous case for a few days or they’re gone, the other person will be on the lesser case.”
Currently, Nina, as a member of the Fugitive Task Force, is engaged in high-stakes cases, raising inherent risks. While Scola continues to operate, his tasks do not typically place him in extreme danger. If they were to partner together, the likelihood of both facing perilous situations simultaneously would increase, undermining their rule and heightening parental anxiety.
The stress of their undercover assignment as a married couple tested their relationship, highlighting the fear they share of leaving their child without parental support. With their family’s safety at the forefront, a partnership may not be the wisest choice at this juncture.
Keeping Nina Active in the Franchise Post-Most Wanted
Alternative Routes for Nina’s Character in the FBI Universe
Even with FBI: Most Wanted not continuing into its seventh season, there remains a strong desire among fans to see Nina’s character thrive within the franchise. One viable solution is reintegrating her into the flagship series. Another intriguing possibility involves transitioning her to a new spinoff, FBI: CIA, where she could maintain her character’s action-oriented essence.
In an insightful conversation shared in that same TheWrap interview, VanSanten recounted a real-life FBI couple’s insights on balancing their demanding careers with parenthood. The wife stated that her resolve to serve was even stronger after becoming a mother, emphasizing a drive to create a safer world for her child.
“I asked the wife, ‘Did you ever feel you had to to leave the FBI once you had a child because it was risky?’ And she said, ‘No, I actually felt I had more of an obligation to the job than ever, because I have the responsibility of creating a world for my son that is safer than ever before.”
While concerns about why Nina would operate internationally given her parental responsibilities are valid—since CIA roles are not typically American domestic—she might collaborate with the CIA on safer domestic operations or travel intermittently, similar to her work on Most Wanted.
If this transition fails, at the very least, fans can look forward to seeing Nina appear in FBI season 8. While she may not serve as Scola’s professional partner, she can still play an essential role as his romantic companion, providing personal support and story arcs.