Warning: Accommodates SPOILERS for FBI Season 7, Episode 8.
After a short 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 techniques, they have to race to cease the planes from crashing. the sky."
Whereas the subsequent concern sees Scola “coping with the reminiscence of his brother,” the autumn finale centered closely on OA. Maggie's suspicions are confirmed when Clay betrays the FBI and OA has no alternative however to shoot and kill his former military buddy. Zeeko Zaki says the state of affairs was one among "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 regularly overcome their struggles collectively.
TelaRant interviews Zaki about OA's previous with Clay, the autumn finale's massive 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 really like episodes that present the bond between OA and Maggie. They have already got a robust relationship, so how do you assume 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 checks 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 collection with out our skill to journey 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 automobile or I’ll depart you.”
I prefer to imagine it was a bluff as a result of, on the finish of the day, regardless of how a lot we query our companion's choices, we'll at all times get within the automobile, and it's nice to see that. It's a extremely cool option 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 shortly and get again to work.
Maggie discovers that Clay basically prioritized OA's life above every thing 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 buddy?
Zeeko Zaki: I believe they each begin with the identical basis, which is, “Each folks saved my life and saved my life.” Maggie saves my life numerous instances once we're out within the discipline, and Clay saved my life. And for me to have an previous buddy and a brand new buddy 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 have been in a position to work collectively. We've got to fulfill. And that's the toughest factor. I'm positive there's some hypothesis about Clay's advantage, his type, and the way he lives his life, however on the finish of the day, he saved his life and main this provides 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 have been actually buddy-buddy, and it was a whole lot of enjoyable to play, however in fact, the enjoyable can't final eternally.”
Maggie tells OA he may need a blind spot. Did any a part of the OA take into account Clay taking part in him?
Zeeko Zaki: I believe it's a blind spot or not, these blind spots are created in moments that change folks's lives, inflicting their life to be saved by somebody. If that creates a blind spot, so be it. However I believe OA has at all times been good at making choices, making decisions and dwelling with them, and we'll see some extra decisions that he has to stay with on this episode.
We've got to speak concerning the massive shock on the finish. What was going via 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 believe the best option to specific it's with disgust. When you've somebody very near you and you actually imagine that they actually perceive the place you might be, the principles by which you reside your life, who you might be, after which they ask you to go in opposition to that - it's a extremely painful and intense. second for OA.
He has to cope with a whole lot of actually heavy stuff, however on the finish of the day, the superpower that these companies have, and these folks have, is the flexibility 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 once you discovered that OA was going to kill you?
Zeeko Zaki: Sure, very stunned. Our first few episodes have been actually buddy-buddy, and it was a whole lot of enjoyable to play, however in fact, the enjoyable can't final eternally. It was intense. All of those reveals have so many metaphors for issues that individuals cope with every day. Pals betraying buddies, folks 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 deliver to the display screen.
Zaki believes the partnership between OA and Maggie is the spine of the FBI
“We've got to point out the world that extremely shut and powerful friendships between women and men are attainable.”
OA has been via 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 robust character, and he can maintain 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 believe it is going to be an honor, and we will certainly come into my actuality with the lack of my buddy and Maggie's lack of hers and issues like that can actually 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 deliver that into our present.
I used to be going to ask you about that. Given what Maggie goes via with Ella and what occurred with OA, will we proceed to see them supporting one another?
Zeeko Zaki: Sure. I believe the spine of the collection is the chemistry, friendship and partnership we've got. No matter obstacles we've got to beat, we'll overcome them collectively. We're two individuals who every character feels snug being extraordinarily susceptible with, and we deserve that. I believe it is going to be thrilling to maintain going larger or simply up the stakes on this and see the place our relationship goes.
When you've a long-lasting process like FBIit's not unusual for character dynamics to vary. Do you see this occurring with Maggie and OA or do you assume it's vital that their relationship doesn't take a romantic route?
Zeeko Zaki: No, I undoubtedly assume friendship is one of the 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 attainable, they usually don't at all times must go down a romantic path. We have been very fortunate when it comes to casting, character and writing. It actually provides us that area.
It's superb that we are able to help one another and be there for one another in such a platonic manner that we might die for one another on daily basis. There's lots to discover, particularly with it being such a protracted procedural, there's nonetheless lots to discover via the eyes of different relationships that every character may 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 might be examined when FBI season 7 returns
“We’re going to see her step in and be my companion in a manner 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 via. Are there nonetheless any questions on this era or his life normally?
Zeeko Zaki: As an actor, being solid as such a robust and assured character, you be taught that via revealing this stuff that he went via, 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 believe perhaps that's why I'm having a lot enjoyable and I really feel like there's nonetheless lots to do. I'm alongside for the journey, however I depart my inquiries to the writers, and I'm very completely satisfied and blessed to have the ability to proceed taking part in 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 companion in a manner that we're used to seeing Maggie being, however it's going to be a enjoyable journey into the brand new 12 months 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 concerning the interior workings of the New York workplace of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This elite unit makes use of all of its skills, mind and technical data on vital instances with the intention to maintain New York and the nation protected.
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FBI season 7 returns to CBS on Tuesday, January twenty eighth at 8pm ET.