As an avid fan of crime dramas, I have been captivated by the gripping narrative of FBI, and Zeeko Zaki‘s portrayal of OA has always left me spellbound. The fall finale of Season 7, titled “Riptide,” was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for fans like myself, as we watched OA grapple with the betrayal of his old friend Clay.
Spoilers ahead for the fall finale of FBI Season 7, called “Riptide” and set for streaming with a Paramount+ subscription.
In the final episode of FBI scheduled for 2024 on CBS, OA found himself in a trickier situation than anticipated when his long-time friend Clay betrayed him. The character portrayed by Guy Lockard, formerly of Chicago Med, revealed his true intentions during the fall finale. His plan to flee with a large amount of gold was cut short when OA fatally shot him. Ahead of the 2025 TV schedule, Zeeko Zaki discussed with TopMob what’s next for his character and the difficulties of filming for the second half of Season 7.
On numerous occasions during his career with the FBI, OA has found himself in physical altercations, yet never have the personal repercussions been as significant as this latest brawl. Although he had reservations – or, as Zaki phrased it, his “intuition warning him” – the agent struggled to accept that the man who once saved his life might be prepared to deceive him. The encounter was brutal and culminated in OA firing at Clay, but both Zaki and Lockard delivered exceptional performances.
Due to the heightened emotional intensity during the recent fight scene on FBI, I inquired from the long-standing cast member if the fight sequence had been staged differently. He clarified:
In a different perspective, the confrontation didn’t seem to be structured any differently, but the driving force behind it was unique. I wasn’t aiming to inflict harm or end his life. Instead, my intention was to possibly jolt him out of his reckless behavior and bring some clarity to his mind. Therefore, it was distinct in that aspect. However, when it comes down to the crunch, where lives are at stake, the stakes of the case, and so on, we all know OA’s allegiance, and it’s reassuring to see that if necessary, even with a close friend, they can fight.
It was evident that OA didn’t intend to kill Clay when he fired the gun, immediately rushing over to check if his friend was alive. However, later on, he admitted to Maggie that he understood his actions were necessary. In summary, it was a tough episode for Zeeko Zaki’s character and ended with another friend meeting his end. The actor further explained:
That situation was truly astonishing and hard to accept. It’s evident that while OA usually excels in his endeavors, his failure to convince his friend otherwise will undoubtedly impact him. This incident underscores the fact that despite our best efforts, we’re all human, and not every outcome aligns with our desires.
In a different wording, the final episode of “Riptide” didn’t quite turn out as planned for OA, and I found myself yearning for an additional scene in the season finale where the character would reveal more about himself to Maggie or his girlfriend. It turns out that Gemma is here to stay despite her rocky start!
After OA disclosed earlier in the episode that Clay had violated protocol during their army days by calling for reinforcements, which ultimately saved his life after weeks of captivity, it was clear that he grappled with internal conflict. In the context of FBI, a procedural series, one might wonder if this case will continue to resonate with OA even if viewers don’t watch it every week. Zeeko Zaki offered his perspective on the matter.
As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but feel it was inevitable for this character, given his military past and experience with the Bureau, to excel at separating different aspects of his life. It’s intriguing to explore that side of him on screen, and I’m eagerly awaiting to see where the writers take us with this narrative thread in the upcoming episodes.
For fans eagerly awaiting the next episode of FBI, they’ll have to wait until January 27 in the new year as CBS’ popular drama isn’t back on air yet. However, behind-the-scenes work continues beyond the fall finale (episode 8 of Season 7). I inquired about how much filming has been done for the show’s 2025 return and actor Zeeko Zaki responded: “So far, we’ve filmed quite a bit ahead for our anticipated comeback in 2025.
We are filming Episode 12 at the moment, and we have Episode 13’s script, but after that, no idea.
If the FBI series maintains its typical episode count for seasons unaffected by COVID-19 issues or writers’ strikes, we were past the midpoint when I spoke with Zaki and the rest of the cast before the fall finale. Filming at the end of one year and beginning of the next certainly presents unique challenges compared to fall or spring production. Zaki shared some insights about these changes with me.
Generally speaking, it’s the chilliness that dominates. [laughs] It’s undeniably powerful, and yes, it can be painful, but it adds a depth to the characters that I find fascinating. For me, being in the cold is incredibly immersive, especially when you’re enduring it. Therefore, I relish those moments when we film in the cold, as I know the resulting work will carry an extra intensity, and it truly enhances the final product on screen.
Zeeko Zaki remains upbeat about shooting scenes outdoors in New York City during the chilly winter months of December and into early 2023! Viewers will have to be patient until the winter episodes of Season 7 premiere on CBS television. It’s worth noting that FBI did not feature a Christmas episode among CBS’ shows this season.
While the break before the resumption of FBI (including its spin-offs FBI: International featuring newcomer Jay Hayden and FBI: Most Wanted) on January 27th, why not catch up on past episodes that are available for streaming on Paramount+?
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2024-12-18 05:37