Julia Aidén Martinez's Debut on FBI Season 8 Episode 3 Was Surpisingly Impressive. Let's Hope She Stays

Critic’s Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

4.5

I wasn’t expecting much from Scola’s new partner on FBI Season 8 Episode 3.

It’s not that Julia Aidén Martinez isn’t a strong actress.

Between the way she was underused on Law & Order: SVU and FBI‘s habit of rotating Scola’s partners every three episodes, I figured it was a waste of energy to invest in her — and then FBI Season 8 Episode 3 had to go and make me fall in love with her.

Martinez’s Eva Ramos Already Got More Air Time Than Most of Scola’s Partners

It isn’t really fair to compare the way Martinez’s Kate Silva was tragically underused on Law & Order: SVU to her new character’s airtime on FBI.

They’re different shows, even if they are both by Dick Wolf.

Still, Scola’s seeming inability to have a permanent partner conditioned me to expect that Ramos would be Kate Silva 2.0: the new woman who gets three lines every fourth episode and then quietly disappears.

Some of Scola’s partners were treated that way, especially those who were never intended to be permanent, and I can’t remember how much airtime Rhodes got before her untimely death on FBI Season 8 Episode 1.

In any case, Ramos has already had more airtime than Silva had throughout all of Law & Order: SVU Season 26 in just one episode.

This is a good sign — she’s on her way to being a fully developed character who will stick around unless she meets the same fate Rhodes did.

Scola Did Most of The Heavy Lifting, But Ramos Was By His Side

Unfortunately, the episode zoomed by so fast that I don’t fully remember what Ramos contributed, only that she was a big part of it.

She had the bad luck to join the team right before Scola ran across a DEA agent with questionable ethics that he had a past connection with.

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Her job was mostly to support Scola while he pursued Bobby and, later, to make sure the mission they tried to force Bobby to help them with went smoothly.

Ramos did what she was supposed to do and even shared a secret of her own with Scola: her ex was a member of Forefront, which is why she transferred to the New York Field Office.

I’m sure this is only the beginning of a bigger story.

Knowing how things go on shows like FBI, I won’t be surprised if this evil ex causes more trouble before the season ends, whether that means stalking Ramos or trying to take down the New York Field Office again.

That could be interesting — especially if it is connected to a backdoor pilot for CIA, which is coming in the spring — but I’d rather learn more about who Ramos is as an FBI agent and how she gels with Scola and the rest of the team.

I liked her obligatory scene involving Rhodes’ death.

Cop shows always do this when a cop leaves, whether it’s through death or retirement, so it was somewhat old hat, but her willingness to move showed sensitivity that can only enhance her relationship with the team.

Additionally, before she made her confession about Forefront, I thought she and Scola would bond over both having partners (or ex-partners) who also worked for the FBI.

While we don’t need Nina to appear often, I’d love to get her take on Scola’s newest partner (and prove that the FBI hasn’t forgotten she exists).

While Scola Faced Someone From His Past, Isobel and Jubal Contemplated The Future

I do not believe for one second that Isobel will take the ADIC promotion in the end.

Anything’s possible, and FBI seems to be grooming Jubal to take over Isobel’s position over the objections of the top brass.

Do you want Jubal to take over for Isobel?
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That officer’s claim that Jubal “did okay” was ridiculous. Jubal was his usual energetic and focused self, even though he was forced into a position that he didn’t want at that point.

If FBI goes in this direction, I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up with Jubal defeating that supervisor’s negativity to become Special Agent in Charge while Maggie moves up to Jubal’s old position of Assistant Special Agent in Charge.

That dynamic would completely change the show, though, which is why I have my doubts it’s happening any time soon.

Isobel coming back earlier than expected, only to leave again, seems silly, and I wasn’t sure she was sold on the ADIC position.

That might be my wishful thinking. I like Isobel and don’t want her to leave.

Still, shaking up the team that drastically seems like a series-ending move, not one for the middle of Season 8 when FBI is already locked in for Season 9.

On the other hand, Isobel’s husband wants her to retire, so the ADIC position might be her only move if she wants to keep the peace.

That job would make it less likely she would be in harm’s way, which should help reduce her husband’s anxiety.

The Case Was The Least Important Part of The Show, And That’s How It Should Be

Although FBI is a procedural, I’m more into the character-driven storylines than how the team deals with the threat of the week, and that seems to be a common emotion among FBI fanatics.

(If that’s not you, I want to hear your take in the comments!)

This case was more interesting than the one that seemed stolen from FBI: International on FBI Season 8 Episode 2, though.

I liked Scola’s personal connection to Bobby, and that it was never entirely clear whose side Bobby was on. Plus, I always have a soft spot for storylines that involve OA trying to dismantle bombs.

I’m not sure why, but that particular trope always excites me.

On the other hand, my brain tends to turn off during chases and shootouts, and I was relieved that Bobby had enough sense to let the FBI arrest him instead of taking off.

Also, we’ve had very little Maggie and OA time so far this season. I’m not a Maggie/OA shipper and would rather these two stay platonic soulmates, but I do enjoy their relationship and would like more of their interactions on my screen.

What about you, FBI Fanatics?
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If you enjoyed this review, you might also like our coverage of other Dick Wolf shows. We write about all three One Chicago shows and Law & Order: SVU.

FBI airs on CBS on Mondays at 9/8c and streams on Paramount+ on Tuesdays.

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