Dani Dies In FBI Season 8, Episode 1 (But It's A Good Death)

Warning! Spoilers ahead for FBI season 8, episode 1, “Takeover.”

FBI season 8 opens with a major loss to Jubal’s team, but there’s a silver lining to it. As part of CBS’ 2025-2026 TV schedule, Dick Wolf’s only show in the network has been gradually growing its viewers over the years. Somehow, FBI has taken over all shows from the Law & Order and One Chicago franchises in terms of ratings. Given that, it makes sense that it’s one of the most-awaited premieres of the cycle.

Now moving to Monday night after CBS decided to launch NCIS’ Super Tuesday, FBI is currently standing on its own. The shock cancellation of FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted paves the way for the arrival of a third spinoff, CIA. The show, however, is delayed to a mid-season premiere, allowing the full focus to be on the flagship.

In FBI season 8, episode 1, picks up a few days after the season 7 finale. Isobel’s fate remains uncertain, although it’s unclear what the future holds for him. As Maggie and OA find themselves trapped in an island and successfully resolves the case, the team suffers a major loss.

Dani Rhodes Dies In FBI Season 8, Episode 1

As Scola and Dani rush to help Maggie and OA, who are surrounded by the misinformed townspeople, they need to get creative with the way they enter the island. Previously, the only bridge connecting it to the mainland was blown up, forcing the FBI SWAT to enter via the water.

They are ambushed when they docked, resulting in Dani being shot. She did claim that the vest had caught the bullet, but that wasn’t the case. Not realizing that she was shot in the abdomen causes Dani to collapse just as things are deescalating.

It doesn’t seem to be that serious at first, but FBI season 8, episode 1 pulls a double plot twist — Isobel has woken up in the hospital while Dani dies in the island. Ultimately, her death ends the outing on a somber note, especially as Scola, Maggie, and OA come to terms with the loss as her body lays on the ground.

Dani’s Death Is A Better FBI Exit For Emily Alabi

FBI Dani standing in front of a car where a guy in camoflauge is holding a gun

Obviously, any death, especially one for a major character, is not good. Dani joined FBI late in season 7, following a string of failed partners for Scola on the heels of Tiffany’s exit from the show. CBS tried different characters to pair up with John Boyd’s agent, but there was something always wrong with the dynamic.

Dani was arguably the best tandem that Scola has had since Tiffany. They worked well together and had incredible chemistry. As an individual character, she was also interesting. It’s unclear why she was written out of FBI, but a heroic death is a far better exit than giving a half-baked excuse to get rid of a character — something that it has done before.

Moving forward, FBI is bringing in a brand new character to potentially be Scola’s permanent partner, played by

Juliana Aidén Martinez. Not much is known about the character, but she has some big shoes to fill. Aside from being a worthy successor to Tiffany, she’s also replacing Dani, who died a heroic death.

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