CBS’s flagship drama FBI has never been a stranger to shocking twists, but the latest surprise is happening off the screen as much as on it. The unexpected return of actor Jeremy Sisto, who portrays Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine, has triggered a storm of fan reactions — ranging from excitement to outright frustration.
A Character Fans Love — or Love to Hate
Since the series first premiered in 2018, Jubal Valentine has been one of the show’s most distinctive characters. As the operations commander at the New York field office, he is the voice in the agents’ ears, the one who orchestrates every takedown from behind the scenes. Viewers have watched him struggle with alcoholism, family drama, and the weight of making split-second life-or-death calls.
Yet that same spotlight has made him a controversial figure. For every fan who appreciates the depth Jeremy Sisto brings to the role, there’s another who feels Jubal consumes too much narrative oxygen — sometimes overshadowing Maggie (Missy Peregrym), OA (Zeeko Zaki), or Isobel (Alana de la Garza).
Episode 19: A Glimmer of Hope for Critics?
The spark for the current debate came in Season 7, Episode 19, when Jubal was noticeably absent from key sequences. His disappearance did not go unnoticed. Almost instantly, fan forums and social media lit up with speculation.
Was CBS writing him out quietly? Was this a setup for a shocking twist? Or was it simply a scheduling issue for the actor? For a portion of the audience, Jubal’s absence was a breath of fresh air — a chance for the ensemble cast to shine without his dominating presence.
Some fans even expressed cautious optimism: “Maybe this is it. Maybe Jubal’s storyline is finally winding down,” one viewer wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Comeback That Split the Audience
But any hope of a quiet exit was crushed when Jubal made a dramatic return in the episodes that followed. His reappearance has reignited long-standing debates about the direction of FBI.
For supporters, his comeback is a relief. They argue that removing Jubal would strip the show of a core element. His blend of authority, vulnerability, and flawed humanity grounds the series in ways that few other characters manage.
For critics, however, his return feels like a creative misstep. They see it as CBS clinging to a formula that risks stalling the show’s momentum. “We were so close to moving forward, and now we’re right back where we started,” one frustrated fan posted on Reddit.
Why CBS Might Be Keeping Him
Behind the controversy lies a practical truth: Jubal is one of the pillars of FBI. From a network perspective, stability matters. With Season 8 already confirmed for a September 2025 premiere, CBS may view Jubal as essential for continuity. Removing him could disrupt the delicate balance of the show’s formula at a time when consistency is key to maintaining ratings.
Moreover, Jeremy Sisto has proven himself a versatile performer, bringing gravitas to tense command center scenes and emotional weight to personal arcs. Even if fans are divided, the network may believe his presence strengthens the series overall.
The Road Ahead: Can Jubal Win Fans Back?
The bigger question now isn’t whether Jubal is here to stay — that seems settled — but how the writers will use him. If his storylines continue to dominate at the expense of the team dynamic, backlash may only intensify. But if the show leans into his flaws, struggles, and leadership challenges in ways that feel fresh, his character could regain some of the goodwill he’s lost.
With just a handful of episodes left before the Season 7 finale, viewers will be watching closely. Will Jubal finally prove his worth to the doubters? Or will his presence continue to divide the fanbase as FBI charges toward its next chapter?
One thing is certain: Jubal Valentine is back, and the conversation around him is louder than ever.
