As a long-time fan of the Dick Wolf universe and a die-hard Chicago P.D. enthusiast, I couldn’t be more excited to see Jesse Lee Soffer join the cast of FBI: International! With his ten years of experience as a cop under his belt, it’s clear that Wes Mitchell is not your average FBI agent. He’s more like a bull in a china shop, charging headfirst into investigations without much regard for the rules or jurisdiction – a trait that’s sure to cause some headaches for his teammates, especially Smitty!
Head’s up! The opening episode of Season 4 for FBI: International, titled “A Leader, Not a Tourist,” may contain plot revelations.
In the fall 2024 TV lineup, CBS has reinstated its trio of FBI shows on Tuesday evenings, with “FBI: International” marking a significant shift in its fourth season opener. Joining the cast is Jesse Lee Soffer, previously of “Chicago P.D.”, taking over as the new leader of the Fly Team following Luke Kleintank’s departure as SSA Scott Forrester. It’s evident from the first episode that Wes Mitchell is not a replica of Forrester (or Halstead) in any way. In an interview with TopMob, Soffer discusses his new role as Wes, shedding light on the trouble he will stir among the Fly Team and the effects of his decade-long career as a police officer before joining the Bureau.
During International’s fourth season, Wes Mitchell was an agent at the Los Angeles office. However, after his partner was gunned down by unknown assailants who escaped to Budapest, he chose to leave for overseas. The Fly Team had mixed feelings about him, with the exception of Vo who had trained and worked alongside him. As the episode ended, Wes opted to stay with the team instead of returning to the US to handle a breakup and partner’s demise. At this point, Vo advised him that working with foreign authorities necessitates a certain degree of diplomacy or “finesse.
In a chat with Jesse Lee Soffer, I wondered if Wes Mitchell’s skills were so refined that he didn’t overdo it in the Season 4 premiere of Chicago P.D.. After discussing why fans should check out FBI: International with him, he responded to my query by saying…
He’s not overly cautious, that’s for sure! [laughs] He’s more like a bull in a china shop, charging ahead without much regard for the delicate surroundings. While I believe he does possess some finesse at times, it seems to take a backseat to his eagerness to accomplish tasks. His approach is often: “Let’s get this done! Here’s my plan!” However, occasionally someone like Smitty or Vo has to step in and remind him that we’re overstepping boundaries, especially when we’re operating outside of our jurisdiction. But his response is usually something like, ‘So what?’
Initially, the Fly Team gave him a friendly reception during Season 4’s premiere (available for streaming on Paramount+). However, it became clear that he wasn’t open to everyone’s attempts to explain that methods used in the U.S. to obtain information and access wouldn’t work in places like Budapest. I also observed that Smitty seemed to be bracing herself for a headache with Wes around, and Soffer agreed, indicating this was a likely scenario.
It seems quite inevitable that she’ll persistently experience headaches. I struggle to envision a situation where her headaches subside, as they appear to be a regular occurrence for now. A resolution may not be imminent.
On FBI: International, it’s easy to understand why the Europol liaison and that overzealous FBI agent aren’t exactly each other’s top pick! I get that she feels for Mike’s demise and isn’t alien to emotions intertwining with a case. But I bet she could use Forrester’s gentle approach in the earlier Season 4 episodes more often. As for whether Wes might find someone on the team he’d willingly take advice from, Jesse Lee Soffer hinted it may not happen anytime soon.
From my perspective, he hasn’t been put in a situation where he needs to act, but if others were to voice their concerns, I believe he would respond, given that he follows Vo’s lead. There’s a challenging task at hand that we need to address, and sometimes, we must resort to methods that may not be ideal.
It appears that Wes not paying attention is a recurring issue in the show, and while it might make for good viewing for home audiences, it’s likely not as enjoyable for his coworkers like Smitty. Based on what we’ve seen so far, Smitty may not initially appreciate Wes’ methods. However, it was confirmed that even Smitty agreed with Wes taking over from their previous leader who loved wine and cheese.
Wes distinguished himself among other agents and Smitty due to his unique background – not only was he an FBI agent, but he also served as a police officer for ten years prior. Interestingly, in the Dick Wolf-created TV universe, while Jesse Lee Soffer’s character doesn’t have a backstory of being a Chicago cop, like in shows such as Chicago PD, his experience with the LAPD is evident in how he handles investigations, like in Budapest. It remains to be seen whether this aspect of Wes’s character will be consistently featured. Jesse Lee Soffer hinted at this possibility during an interview.
Absolutely, one of his future approaches will be persistent problem-solving. This means he’ll devise solutions, even if they seem unconventional, break the rules, or fall outside their authority. He’s determined and won’t hesitate in executing these methods. However, Smitty might want to pause and consider his actions before taking them.
Regarding Smitty, while some troublesome actions may give him headaches, his tenacious approach to the job will be crucial for Wes. In discussing his character’s enthusiasm for work before joining FBI: International for three seasons, Soffer stated that he “loves work.
In the narrative, the temporary leader of the Fly Team is frequently seen attending wine and cheese events, going golfing, or traveling in places like Italy, France, or various other locations. Wes, having experienced a difficult situation with his partner, assumes this role primarily to focus on work and move past it.
Catch more of Jesse Lee Soffer in his role as SSA Wes Mitchell with the latest episodes of FBI: International every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, airing after FBI at 8 p.m. ET and before FBI: Most Wanted at 10 p.m. ET, all on CBS. If you’d like to rewatch Soffer’s debut episode as Wes Mitchell, it will be available for streaming on Paramount+.
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2024-10-16 05:38