The newest installment of FBI Season 8 Episode 8, titled “Ratlined,” begins with a shocking moment when a journalist is shot while interviewing a visiting prime minister. What at first appears to be a clean-cut assassination attempt quickly grows more complicated as the team discovers evidence pointing toward a much deeper conspiracy. With national security pressure, political oversight, and shifting motives at play, the elite New York field office must act quickly before more lives are at risk. The episode airs Monday, Dec. 8 (9:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) on CBS and streams on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Premium subscribers, or the next day for Essential subscribers).
As the investigation unfolds, the team is surprised when the alleged assassin becomes a target as well. With dueling motives, overlapping alibis, and conflicting witness testimony, the case escalates into a complicated set of questions rather than a single incident. The deeper the agents dig, the more they uncover a broader threat beyond a televised political moment.
Meanwhile, OA struggles to let Gemma in on the emotional and physical danger that comes with being an FBI agent. After years of high-risk operations, OA has grown accustomed to compartmentalizing trauma and uncertainty, which makes letting someone into his personal space more challenging than facing down a suspect in the field. The emotional tension serves as an anchor inside the procedural narrative, giving the episode an emotional layer alongside the action.
Created by Dick Wolf and produced by Wolf Entertainment in association with Universal Television and CBS Studios, FBI continues to provide a fast-paced look inside the New York office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The elite team employs criminal profiling, intelligence gathering, surveillance, undercover work, and tactical response to neutralize evolving threats and protect both the city and the country.
The returning ensemble remains a key to the series’ success. Special Agent Maggie Bell (Missy Peregrym)approaches the work with grounded determination and empathy, driven by deep personal commitment. Her partner, Special Agent Omar Adom “OA” Zidan (Zeeko Zaki), brings a background in military discipline, DEA undercover work, and a personal understanding of the emotional cost of service.
Inside the command structure, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine (Jeremy Sisto) keeps the nerve center operational and morale steady, while Special Agent in Charge Isobel Castille (Alana De La Garza) oversees field deployment with unwavering command authority. The team also includes Special Agent Stuart Scola (John Boyd) and Special Agent Eva Ramos (Juliana Aidén Martinez), whose combined legal and criminal expertise adds depth to the unit’s problem solving.
From terrorism and organized crime to multi-city conspiracies and counterintelligence, FBI continues to blend intense fieldwork with personal sacrifice, institutional loyalty, and emotional authenticity. The series remains a staple inside the Dick Wolf television universe, delivering procedural storytelling with strong character investment and weekly tension.
FBI airs Mondays (9:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) on CBS and streams on Paramount+, offering same-day access for Premium subscribers and next-day access for Essential subscribers.
FBI – Frequently Asked Questions
When does FBI air?
Mondays at 9 PM ET/PT on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
Who stars in FBI?
Missy Peregrym, Zeeko Zaki, Jeremy Sisto, Alana De La Garza, John Boyd and Juliana Aidén Martinez.
What is Episode 8 “Ratlined” about?
A journalist shooting unravels a conspiracy while OA navigates personal challenges.
FBI Season 8 Episode 8 “Ratlined” continues the show’s signature suspense with a journalist shooting that uncovers a deeper conspiracy. The episode features Maggie, OA, Jubal, Ramos, and Scola working against the clock as new details surface. Below, explore stills from this week’s episode and insight into the investigation.
Episode 8 deepens character stakes for OA while introducing a layered political conspiracy that tests the team’s tactical instincts and emotional resolve. As the field office balances urgency and danger, FBI continues delivering procedural storytelling blended with personal character tension.
