Warning: Accommodates SPOILERS for FBI Season 7, Episode 8.
After a quick hiatus in late 2024, FBI returns to CBS on Tuesday, January twenty eighth at 8pm ET. Season 7 Episode 9 is titled “Descent” and the character of the case will put Scola entrance and heart. The official synopsis reads: “The suspected suicide of a former assistant United States lawyer plunges the group into an airline whistleblower scandal. However when the investigation uncovers a sinister terrorist plot hacking the airways' laptop methods, they need to race to cease the planes from crashing. the sky."
Whereas the subsequent challenge sees Scola “coping with the reminiscence of his brother,” the autumn finale targeted closely on OA. Maggie's suspicions are confirmed when Clay betrays the FBI and OA has no selection however to shoot and kill his former military buddy. Zeeko Zaki says the state of affairs was one in all "intense disgust", as OA believed Clay wouldn't ask him to compromise his core beliefs. OA will possible lean on Maggie after the tragic incident, with Zaki emphasizing that the companions frequently overcome their struggles collectively.
TelaRant interviews Zaki about OA's previous with Clay, the autumn finale's huge twist, his tackle OA and Maggie's relationship, and what followers can count on when FBI Season 7 returns.
Maggie and OA's FBI partnership is because of Clay
"He did Maggie a service by saving my life, as a result of then we began working collectively."
ScreenRant: I like episodes that present the bond between OA and Maggie. They have already got a powerful relationship, so how do you suppose this episode strengthened it much more?
Zeeko Zaki: Sure, that's actually a magical a part of our present - how robust OA and Maggie's relationship is. It doesn't matter what exams he passes, it retains making him stronger. OA wouldn't have even made it to the tip of this episode, nonetheless alone, this far into the sequence with out our potential to trip or die with one another. There are moments on this episode the place OA challenges her dedication to him with a line, like, “Get within the automotive or I’ll depart you.”
I prefer to consider it was a bluff as a result of, on the finish of the day, regardless of how a lot we query our accomplice's choices, we are going to all the time get within the automotive, and it's nice to see that. It's a extremely cool approach to finish the episode after one thing so intense that we've got the facility to create space for one another, see one another, cope with it rapidly and get again to work.
Maggie discovers that Clay basically prioritized OA's life above all the things else within the military. Are you able to give some perception into OA's state of affairs when he's compelled to decide on between his morals and his good friend?
Zeeko Zaki: I feel they each begin with the identical basis, which is, “Each individuals saved my life and saved my life.” Maggie saves my life numerous instances once we're out within the subject, and Clay saved my life. And for me to have an previous good friend and a brand new good friend and present that I belief my life - I owe my life, actually, to Clay.
Our partnership is because of Clay. He did Maggie a service by saving my life, as a result of then we had been capable of work collectively. We've to fulfill. And that's the toughest factor. I'm certain there's some hypothesis about Clay's advantage, his fashion, and the way he lives his life, however on the finish of the day, he saved his life and main this offers us a extremely enjoyable journey to go on.
OA is heartbroken by Clay's betrayal in FBI Season 7 Episode 8
“Our first few episodes had been actually buddy-buddy, and it was loads of enjoyable to play, however in fact, the enjoyable can't final perpetually.”
Maggie tells OA he might need a blind spot. Did any a part of the OA contemplate Clay enjoying him?
Zeeko Zaki: I feel it's a blind spot or not, these blind spots are created in moments that change individuals's lives, inflicting their life to be saved by somebody. If that creates a blind spot, so be it. However I feel OA has all the time been good at making choices, making decisions and residing with them, and we'll see some extra decisions that he has to reside with on this episode.
We've to speak in regards to the huge shock on the finish. What was going by way of OA's head when this man who saved him from one thing so horrible pointed a gun at him and stated, "You owe me."
Zeeko Zaki: I feel the simplest approach to categorical it's with disgust. When you've gotten somebody very near you and you actually consider that they actually perceive the place you're, the foundations by which you reside your life, who you're, after which they ask you to go towards that - it's a extremely painful and intense. second for OA.
He has to cope with loads of actually heavy stuff, however on the finish of the day, the superpower that these businesses have, and these individuals have, is the power to compartmentalize their emotional life with their skilled life, and we see that on this episode.
I actually hoped Clay made it. Had been you stunned while you came upon that OA was going to kill you?
Zeeko Zaki: Sure, very stunned. Our first few episodes had been actually buddy-buddy, and it was loads of enjoyable to play, however in fact, the enjoyable can't final perpetually. It was intense. All of those exhibits have so many metaphors for issues that individuals cope with every day. Buddies betraying associates, individuals altering and rising, and studying that somebody could have been one thing years in the past, and isn't that anymore. It's only a cool factor to convey to the display.
Zaki believes the partnership between OA and Maggie is the spine of the FBI
“We've to point out the world that extremely shut and powerful friendships between women and men are potential.”
OA has been by way of a lot – it's simply piling up at this level. Going ahead, how will what occurred affect you personally and professionally?
Zeeko Zaki: Once more, I'm very fortunate to play such a powerful character, and he can hold issues, and he can maintain onto them and cope with them later or within the second. I'm excited to see the place the writers wish to take this and the way we wish to interpret this going ahead.
I feel will probably be an honor, and we will certainly come into my actuality with the lack of my good friend and Maggie's lack of hers and issues like that may definitely come up and be mentioned. And once more, on totally different ranges of the spectrum, lots of people expertise issues like this with loss and friendships and love, so it's very nice to convey that into our present.
I used to be going to ask you about that. Given what Maggie goes by way of with Ella and what occurred with OA, will we proceed to see them supporting one another?
Zeeko Zaki: Sure. I feel the spine of the sequence is the chemistry, friendship and partnership we've got. No matter obstacles we've got to beat, we are going to overcome them collectively. We're two individuals who every character feels comfy being extraordinarily weak with, and we deserve that. I feel will probably be thrilling to maintain going increased or simply up the stakes on this and see the place our relationship goes.
When you've gotten a long-lasting process like FBIit's not unusual for character dynamics to alter. Do you see this occurring with Maggie and OA or do you suppose it's vital that their relationship doesn't take a romantic course?
Zeeko Zaki: No, I undoubtedly suppose friendship is the very best path simply because, once more, we've got to point out the world that extremely shut and powerful friendships between women and men are potential, they usually don't all the time must go down a romantic path. We had been very fortunate by way of casting, character and writing. It actually provides us that house.
It's superb that we will help one another and be there for one another in such a platonic method that we'd die for one another day by day. There's rather a lot to discover, particularly with it being such an extended procedural, there's nonetheless rather a lot to discover by way of the eyes of different relationships that every character might need and issues like that. It's a blessing to be this far right into a present and really feel like we haven't run out of alternatives to showcase our relationship.
OA and Gemma's relationship will probably be examined when FBI season 7 returns
“We’re going to see her step in and be my accomplice in a method that we’re used to seeing Maggie be.”
All through the present, we be taught extra about OA's time within the army and the extent of what he went by way of. Are there nonetheless any questions on this era or his life generally?
Zeeko Zaki: As an actor, being solid as such a powerful and assured character, you be taught that by way of revealing this stuff that he went by way of, I discovered that the strongest individuals are stronger as a result of they've overcome challenges and troublesome instances of their lives. I'm excited. I hope they keep it up.
I hope to proceed studying new issues like this, as a result of it justifies the depth and energy that OA has. So I'm alongside for lots of it, as is the viewers. And I feel perhaps that's why I'm having a lot enjoyable and I really feel like there's nonetheless rather a lot to do. I'm alongside for the trip, however I depart my inquiries to the writers, and I'm very glad and blessed to have the ability to proceed enjoying him.
What are you most excited for followers to see when FBI Does season 7 return?
Zeeko Zaki: I'm actually excited for followers to see the place the connection between me and Gemma goes. It's going to be examined and it's going to develop, and we're going to see her step in and be my accomplice in a method that we're used to seeing Maggie being, however it's going to be a enjoyable trip into the brand new yr with OA and Gemma.
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About FBI Season 7 on CBS
From Emmy winner Dick Wolf
FBI is a fast-paced drama in regards to the internal workings of the New York workplace of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This elite unit makes use of all of its abilities, mind and technical data on vital circumstances with the intention to hold New York and the nation protected.
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FBI season 7 returns to CBS on Tuesday, January twenty eighth at 8pm ET.