Why Is OA Missing In FBI Season 8, Episode 12? Zeeko Zaki’s Absence Explained

Warning! SPOILERS ahead for FBI season 7, episode 12, “Manhunt.”

There is a reason that Zeeko Zaki’s OA is missing from FBI season 7, episode 12, titled “Manhunt.” OA’s absence is particularly noticeable because the case centers on Maggie’s (Missy Peregrym) quest to find a trafficked girl, Analis, before it’s too late. “Manhunt” is one of FBI season 7‘s most intense cases thus far, especially for Maggie. When she is unable to rescue Analis, who is last seen in the company of a violent, armed trafficker, Maggie struggles with fear and guilt over the victim’s potential death.

Normally, Maggie would turn to OA for support, but he is conspicuously absent. OA’s disappearance is especially problematic when Maggie and her team find the dead body of the victim’s younger sister, Sophia. This devastating loss deeply affects Maggie. She incorrectly believes Analis has also been killed, adding to her trauma. Rather than OA and Maggie’s relationship in FBI taking any steps forward after the tragic discovery of Sophia’s body, she must turn to others because her partner is not there.

OA’s Absence In FBI Season 7, Episode 12 Explained

“Manhunt” Pairs Maggie With Scola Without Explaining Why OA Is Not There

“Manhunt” doesn’t give any explanation for OA’s absence. Oddly, there is not even a throwaway line explaining that he’s off duty for some reason. Instead, Maggie is partnered with Scola throughout the search for Analis and the other trafficked girls. Maggie also gets help from a 911 dispatcher who keeps calling back after Analis’ call drops to find out if she has any new info. This dispatcher ultimately guides Maggie through an emergency medical procedure after Analis is found.

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Although there is no official explanation for OA’s absence, Maggie chose to work with Scola instead of him in FBI season 7, episode 11 because OA lost his temper with a suspect. Thus, it’s implied that Maggie is still angry at OA and working with Scola instead. However, this is never made clear during “Manhunt,” so it’s equally possible that OA was on special assignment or training recruits at an event elsewhere.

Why Zeeko Zaki Is Missing From FBI Season 7, Episode 12

It’s Most Likely Because The Procedural Is Rotating Cast Members To Save Money

The most likely reason that OA does not appear in “Manhunt” is that FBI‘s cast rotation policy required Zeeko Zaki to take time off during this episode. The procedural has been writing characters out of one or two episodes at a time, often without explanation, so that the series does not use the entire FBI season 7 cast in every episode. This policy is a cost-cutting measure for longer-running shows. In some cases, actors disappear temporarily when they are filming a movie or other project, but it doesn’t seem to be the case her.

Zaki has not done any projects other than the FBI franchise since he voiced a character in 2022’s Night at The Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again. Thus, his absence can only be attributed to the cast rotation policy. That said, FBI makes the most of OA’s non-participation in this story. The episode’s ending implies that Maggie might develop a relationship with Joel, the 911 dispatcher she works with to save Analis. Thus, OA’s absence could lead to a significant obstacle to any potential relationship between him and Maggie.

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FBI

Release Date

September 25, 2018

Directors

Dick Wolf

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  Missy Peregrym

  Maggie Bell

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  Zeeko Zaki

  Omar Adom OA Zidan