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I’m grateful that Isobel (Alana de la Graza) is still part of the New York Field office at the end of FBI season 7, episode 17, titled, “Lineage,” but I’m worried about her future. Isobel has been part of the FBI cast of characters since the second season and the procedural would not be the same without her. She has the final say over how cases are handled and often butts heads with agents who are headed down the wrong path.

FBI season 7 has given Isobel more of a personal storyline than in past seasons. During a conversation with OA, she told him that she was married and had a child, trying to make the point that she keeps her family life completely separate from her personal life, and “Lineage” followed this up by offering a subplot involving Isobel’s home life. Isobel spends time during the episode discussing with her husband whether she should retire before taking on an intense case involving the murder of a rapper and two of his fans.

Isobel Considered Retirement In FBI Season 7, Episode 17 (But Backed Out)

She Came Up On Her 20-Year Milestone

 

Isobel hits her 20-year milestone during “Lineage,” which makes her eligible for retirement. She begins the episode by discussing this with her husband, pointing out that she has put in a lot of years and that it would be nice to retire. She seems to be seriously considering the possibility when she is called in to the latest case. The case is particularly brutal, as two young fans of a rapper have been gunned down along with the star himself, and no one on staff seems to care that underage girls were allowed on his tour bus.

These circumstances could have pushed Isobel further toward retirement, but instead she decided against it. When she returns home, she tells her husband that she realizes how good she did during this case, adding, “I’m not finished. Not yet.” Thus, Isobel’s decision to stay at work is not final, and she could change her mind again later. Unless something big happens, however, it is clear she will finish out the season as the head of the New York Field Office.

Isobel’s Reveal Means That Her Retirement Is Coming Sooner Rather Than Later

She Makes It Clear That Retirement Isn’t Completely Off The Table

Isobel isn’t retiring now, but she will eventually. Her comment that she isn’t retiring yet demonstrates that it’s still on her mind and that she is waiting for the right time. She may continue to have mixed feelings as FBI season 7 progresses, particularly if the brutality of cases gets to her, or she has a close call with an agent’s life. These types of traumatic events could make her rethink her decision.

Of course, this story could be a one-off plot in which Isobel considers retirement but ultimately decides against it and the idea is never brought up again. However, it’s unlikely that FBI would plant this seed if the intention was only to have a self-contained story. The fact that Isobel doesn’t decide that her retirement is still years off leaves the possibility open that she will change her mind, sadly, as early as the end of the season. This arc might also become a part of FBI season 8, allowing the writers an entire season to wind down Isobel’s employment.

What Isobel’s Potential Retirement Means For FBI’s Future

The Series Doesn’t Have To End If She Leaves

While Isobel’s retirement is still up in the air, it’s likely to become part of FBI at some point. If written properly, it could be a less disappointing FBI exit than many others in the franchise. Unilke the other two FBI series, which are both ending in May, FBI is locked in for another two seasons. Thus, one possibility is that Isobel’s retirement will be saved until the series finale, whether that is season 9 or later. However, if she does choose to retire earlier, that opens storyline possibilities.

Since she is such an integral member of the team, the remaining agents would have to adjust to her absence if she left, which would make a compelling arc for the future. If Isobel retires before the end of FBI, the most likely scenario is that Jubal would be promoted to her role. The New York Field Office would likely have to hire one more agent, as someone would have to take Jubal’s position as second-in-command. This change in personnel could work either as a series finale or a new storyline and would be an interesting arc either way.