As FBI: International wraps up its third season, fans are beginning to sense a pattern—one that feels eerily familiar and deeply concerning. While the series has built its reputation on blending global action with emotional storytelling, recent episodes suggest it’s falling into the same creative slump that’s impacting its parent show, FBI. The latest episodes of Season 3 are not just uneventful—they’re showing symptoms of fatigue, repetition, and lost urgency.

At its best, FBI: International has thrived by placing the Fly Team in high-stakes situations around the globe. The international scope has been its biggest selling point: language barriers, diplomatic tension, and unpredictable environments gave the show a sharp edge. But lately, that edge feels dulled. Cases of the week have grown increasingly formulaic, with plots that feel recycled and resolutions that wrap up too conveniently.

One of the most frustrating trends this season is how little time the writers are devoting to real character development. Special Agent Scott Forrester remains the same stoic leader, but we’ve learned little new about his internal struggles since Season 2. Agent Jamie Kellett, who was once the emotional anchor of the series, is now mostly relegated to reactive dialogue. The show’s newer characters, like Agent Raines and Smitty, offer potential, but that potential rarely gets explored in meaningful arcs.

In Season 3’s later episodes, the show seems more interested in moving through plot points than telling layered stories. A recent episode set in Austria involved a kidnapping tied to political unrest—an opportunity rich with tension and international nuance. But instead of digging into the moral and emotional implications, the episode barely skimmed the surface. The result was a forgettable hour of television that could have aired in any crime procedural.

Another growing issue is the lack of emotional fallout. The team frequently faces life-and-death situations, but there’s little reflection or personal consequence. When everything resets by the next episode, it’s hard for viewers to feel invested. This “mission complete, next case” structure is beginning to wear thin.

Even the action, once a strong suit, feels more like filler than thrill. Car chases, shootouts, and foot pursuits are shot well—but without real stakes or character depth behind them, they lose meaning. Flash without substance.

It’s also worth noting that FBI: International has begun mimicking the pacing problems of FBI Season 7. Scenes jump too quickly, villains lack depth, and emotional beats are undercooked. The writers seem unwilling to take creative risks, and that’s leaving longtime fans underwhelmed.

Still, all is not lost. The Fly Team is made up of compelling characters played by a talented cast. What the show needs now is a refocus on storytelling that puts character, consequence, and emotion at the forefront. It needs to slow down, take some risks, and bring back the raw tension that made it stand out in the first place.