Introduction: A Romance in the Crosshairs?
Let’s face it—network TV loves a good “will they, won’t they” slow burn, and CBS’s FBI seems to be heading straight into that territory with Maggie Bell and Omar Adom “OA” Zidan. But as Season 7 teases fans with subtle glances and loaded conversations, many of us are starting to ask a very reasonable question: Do we really need this romance?
Spoiler alert: We don’t. At least not right now.
Maggie & OA: A Partnership Built on Trust
From day one, Maggie and OA have been one of the strongest platonic partnerships on primetime television. They communicate without speaking, trust each other with their lives, and share a rare emotional connection built through trauma, trust, and time—not flirtation.
Why mess with that perfect chemistry?
The Danger of Ruining a Perfect Dynamic
Injecting romance where it doesn’t belong can compromise what made the characters compelling in the first place. Maggie and OA function like a well-oiled machine. Toss in romantic tension, and you risk replacing rich character growth with jealousy plots and “relationship drama.”
That’s not what FBI fans signed up for.
When Will They, Won’t They Tropes Go Too Far?
Let’s be real. The “will they, won’t they” trope is older than television itself. But in 2025, audiences are growing tired of romantic tension being used as a crutch to boost ratings.
Maggie and OA don’t need romantic tension to be interesting—they already are.
The Season 7 Shift That Sparked Debate
Season 7 has subtly shifted the tone. There are more personal conversations. Lingering looks. Concern that goes just a bit deeper than friendship.
It’s enough to get fans buzzing—but also enough to raise concern. The show’s writers seem to be laying down the tracks for a romantic storyline, and not everyone’s on board.
Chemistry Doesn’t Always Mean Romance
Yes, Maggie and OA have chemistry. Strong chemistry. But here’s the thing: chemistry doesn’t have to mean sexual or romantic attraction.
Sometimes the most powerful relationships on TV are the ones that don’t go there. Think Mulder and Scully pre-Season 7, or Bones and Booth before the baby.
Fans Want Depth, Not Drama
It’s a myth that romance = deeper story. Fans are drawn to Maggie and OA’s bond not because of potential kisses, but because of the emotional support and professional respect they give each other.
Turning it romantic could flatten those layers into something generic.
What Makes Maggie and OA Click (Platonically)
What’s their secret sauce?
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Mutual respect
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Shared trauma
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Balanced strengths and weaknesses
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Unspoken understanding
In a world full of forced love stories, their platonic partnership is refreshingly authentic.
TV Romance Burnout: Are Viewers Over It?
Romance fatigue is real. Procedural fans in particular are starting to reject the idea that every male-female lead combo must fall in love. We’re not in the 2000s anymore.
More viewers want smart storytelling, not shoehorned smooching.
Lessons from Other Procedural Shows
Other crime dramas have made similar missteps:
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Castle fizzled after Castle and Beckett got together.
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Bones lost its edge post-baby.
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The X-Files struggled to keep romantic tension relevant.
Writers often discover too late that getting two leads together breaks the very thing that made them watchable.
What Works: Partnership Over Passion
The best cop duos often work because of what’s not happening between them. Maggie and OA have already built a deeper intimacy than most TV couples—without any physical contact.
That’s rare. That’s powerful. That’s what should be protected.
Why the Stakes Are Too High for Romance
Let’s talk risk. A romantic misstep could:
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Derail the plot
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Split the fanbase
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Force one character out to avoid awkward fallout
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Create forced drama instead of organic storytelling
There’s too much at stake here, and not enough to gain.
The Power of Representation Without Romance
Here’s something worth thinking about: male-female friendships are underrepresented in media. When every close M/F bond turns into romance, it sends the message that men and women can’t be friends.
Maggie and OA can break that mold.
Potential Fallout: What Happens If It Fails?
Let’s say they go there. Maggie and OA kiss. Maybe even date. And then… what?
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What happens when they disagree?
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Who gets transferred to another team?
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Will we care more about their cases or their love life?
Once that line is crossed, it’s hard to go back. Just ask Mulder and Scully.
There’s Still Time to Course-Correct
Season 7 hasn’t gone too far yet. The signs are there, sure. But it’s not irreversible.
Writers can keep the emotional closeness, the care, the loyalty—all the good stuff—without slipping into romance.
What the Writers Could Do Instead
Instead of romance, how about:
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More personal backstories
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Moments of vulnerability
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A storyline that tests their loyalty without forcing romance
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Exploring their friendships outside of work
There are so many ways to deepen characters without locking lips.
Conclusion: Keep the Mission, Skip the Kiss
So, no—we’re not against love stories on TV. But this isn’t the time or place for one.
Maggie and OA deserve more than a predictable romantic subplot. They’ve already proven that a man and woman can be loyal, protective, and emotionally bonded—without needing to fall in love.
Let’s keep that rare dynamic intact, and let their story evolve with integrity, not clichés.
FAQs
1. Are Maggie and OA officially dating in Season 7 of FBI?
No, as of now, there is no official confirmation that Maggie and OA are in a romantic relationship. Season 7 has shown more emotional depth between them, but it hasn’t gone full romance—yet.
2. Why are some fans against a Maggie and OA romance?
Many fans feel that a romance would ruin their strong platonic bond and shift the focus from the cases and characters’ growth to unnecessary relationship drama.
3. Has the show done this kind of romantic tension before?
Not to this extent. While FBI has explored personal lives, it’s kept Maggie and OA’s relationship mostly professional—until recently.
4. Are there examples of platonic duos done well on TV?
Yes! Think of Olivia Benson and Fin on Law & Order: SVU, or even Sherlock and Joan on Elementary. These are examples of dynamic friendships that didn’t need to turn romantic.
5. Could romance ever work between Maggie and OA?
Maybe, but it would need to be extremely well-written, slow-burning, and handled with emotional intelligence. Right now, it risks doing more harm than good.
