Shantel VanSanten on Nina’s relationships with her father and Scola

Nina (Shantel Van Santen) is usually prepared for anything when it comes to a case. But for her father’s (John Finn) visit? Not so much.

It’s a family affair for Nina on the October 29 episode FBI: Most Wantedwith her father Jackson and her sister Tink (Hannah Adrian) in town to see her and Scola (FBI‘S Johannes Boyd) and get to know their son. Of course, drama ensues.

Below, VanSanten looks back on the family visit and shares an update on the relationship between Nina and Scola.

How do Nina’s father and sister visit Nina and Nina and Scola as a couple?

Shantel Van Santen: In this episode we see Nina’s family visiting the city, which is also rare for Nina, at least for her father. We talked about how Nina’s sister has come over before and helped with Dougie, and so I think she’s a fixture in their lives, but her dad, not so much. He’s the kind of father who (says), ‘I want to see you, so you better go home and come to me.’ And the way that works in the relationship with Scola and what Nina needs from him to be able to function, to do the work, to deal with the parents who are in town, it’s a juggling act, and I think it is a juggling act. more emotional than Nina was ready or prepared for. It sets in motion a large part of her past, which comes to the surface in one of their interactions.

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What does Nina’s father think of Scola?

Dad has a very specific idea of ​​what his daughters’ lives should be like. And Nina is not conventional, she is not artificial. She makes her own way, she always has and she always will. And even more so because she has a father that she can rebel against, there’s a little bit of that rebellion of wanting to be her own individual. There is a lot of unresolved pain and anger from her childhood, so as an adult there is still a bit of acting against what her father wishes, hopes, thinks or expects her life to be like. Nina knows that Scola is a very good parent. and partner, but I think there’s a longer path to proving that to her father.

There is also a case. Is Nina almost happy about that phone call?

Oh god, yes. Are you kidding? I don’t think she’s necessarily happy that she has to break the news to her partner that she’s leaving for the day on a case and can no longer join them. But of course there is relief, because you then avoid having to actually deal with the problems that exist. I think it’s one of those ideas that I know in my own life where you’ll be so excited to see family, and whether it’s a holiday or a normal visit, and then they get there and you’re kind of overwhelmed, and there are unresolved feelings. or things you need to talk about, and you kind of avoid them until the last hour before they leave for the airport. And I think she does a little bit of that dance where she wanted them to come meet Dougie, and now that they’re there, she needs the help of a business to get in.

How are Nina and Scola doing as a couple? They feel solid, especially after what they went through last season.

Yeah, I think they definitely went through a trial by fire, and it was a very challenging beginning to a relationship, and then becoming new parents when it was an unplanned pregnancy and navigating through that. I think they’ve really found their footing, and we’ll see that throughout the season. We’ll see them a little more in their normal lives and how they can form a solid partnership and raise a child together.

FBI: Most WantedTuesdays, 10/9c, CBS