NCIS season 21 featured a cliffhanger ending for Jessica Knight in the season finale, but there are still several ways she could appear in season 22. NCIS season 21 ended with Jessica accepting a job offer for her dream role as the Chief REACT Training Officer at Camp Pendleton in California. The move means leaving her current team and her boyfriend, Chief Medical Examiner Jimmy Palmer. The season ended on uncertain terms, but that doesn't mean that Jessica's time on NCIS is over.
Beyond the season finale which revealed the uncertain future for Katrina Law's Jessica Knight, nothing has been announced regarding the character's departure from the show. As a result, her return to the series is expected, at least at the start of season 22. Jessica ended the season by accepting her new position, but how exactly that will play out regarding her career at NCIS and her relationship with Jimmy will only be revealed when the season airs. Meanwhile, there are eight ways that Jessica could remain in NCIS season 22.
Jessica Could Back Out At The Last Minute
While Unlikely, It All Comes Down To Weighing Her Options
Even though Jessica accepted the new job offer with an enthusiastic "hell yes," there is still a chance she could back out given her long-term relationship with Jimmy Palmer in NCIS season 22. The two have developed an increasingly serious relationship over the past few seasons. The new job means a serious conversation awaits the couple about whether Jessica will stay or Jimmy will go. Whatever the two decide, big changes are coming to the team.
While it is unlikely that Jessica could change her mind, it is not entirely impossible. She could reevaluate her relationship with Jimmy and if he's unwilling to move for her, it could be that season 22 will see Jessica staying behind. Ambition has been a key part of her character thus far, but her relationship with Jimmy has also highlighted that her career is far from the only thing she cares about. It will ultimately be up to Jessica to decide whether her career move is worth the risk to her and Jimmy's relationship.
REACT at Camp Pendleton Could Partner With The NCIS Team
The Partnership Could Offer An Inside Look at Jessica's New Role
NCIS season 22 could also change the way the show runs and establish a partnership between the REACT team at Camp Pendleton and the NCIS team in Washington. An interesting way to do this would be if there was a case that required both the involvement of REACT trainees and NCIS. This could be an episode-long event, or it could take place over several episodes, but the combination of the two teams would allow Jessica to continue appearing on NCIS without forfeiting her dream job in California.
Having multiple teams work together is not new in the NCIS universe. NCIS has previously worked with the CIA and FBI, not to mention the several cross-over episodes between different NCIS branches. Having season 22 feature a partnership between the team in California and the team in Washington would be a welcome addition to the series, even if it only lasts for one episode. It would also be a pleasant change in pace before the show returns to its classic episode format.
Jessica Could Appear On A Case With The NCIS Team
Finishing Up Cases Is One Way She Could Return
Jessica's supposed season 22 exit means she may not return to work with the NCIS team in future seasons, but one way that she could appear in season 22 is through an unfinished case. For example, she could appear in court with the rest of the NCIS team to testify about one of the cases they worked on previously. This could be a case that is opened in season 22, or it could be a case that is reopened from previous seasons.
While appearing in court to testify is not an action-packed plot that shows off the excitement of NCIS, it is one of many ways that Jessica could return to NCIS in season 22. It would also show one-on-one interactions with her colleagues and showcase Jessica's passion for bringing justice to victims. Whether Jessica will stay for the full 22nd season is unknown yet, but having her return to finish a case is one way that she could appear in the upcoming season.
She has been such an ambitious character so far, but her relationship with Jimmy has also highlighted her gentle nature. It will ultimately be up to Jessica to decide whether her career move is worth the risk to her and Jimmy's relationship.
Jessica Could Feature In A Cross-Over Episode
It Wouldn't Be The First Time That Jessica Has Appeared In One
Jessica has a history of appearing in cross-over episodes in NCIS, and she has even appeared in NCIS: Hawaii multiple times. Leaving the NCIS team does not necessarily mean that she won't appear on the show again. If season 22 of NCIS has a similar crossover event to that of NCIS's 1000th episode "A Thousand Yards" in season 21, Jessica could appear again due to her history of being a trusted colleague on the team.
Having Jessica featured in a crossover episode would also give her further opportunities to show off her new role at Camp Pendleton. It would also allow her to work with her colleagues in NCIS once again without losing out on her new position. While it is unlikely that there will be another crossover episode so close to the last one, it is not entirely out of the question, and it is one way that Jessica could be featured again even if she leaves.
Jessica Could Leave Later
The Delay Would Mean Added Closure
Jessica's exit in NCIS season 22 could occur in the middle of the season. This would give her the chance to tie up any loose ends before switching positions. The delay would also help offer closure to her in-person contact with her team and with Jimmy. It would also help to ease the transition of Jessica leaving. It would be nice to see Jessica work on a final case with her team with the added knowledge that she is leaving soon.
A delayed departure would also allow for a well-rounded exit and let everyone say goodbye. Having Jessica leave in the middle of the season after the announcement of her move would avoid the mistakes of Ellie Bishop's exit. When Emily Wickersham's Ellie left in season 18, it was so sudden that only Nick Torres and Jethro Gibbs were able to say goodbye. If Jessica left suddenly, it would repeat the heartache of Ellie's exit, so a delayed departure would help prevent that.
Jessica Could Appear In Flashbacks
It Would Add To Her Relationship With Jimmy
While painful, Jessica could appear in flashbacks that show scenes of Jimmy and Jessica's relationship that had not been shown before. The use of flashbacks is not new in NCIS and has been used even so far back as in season three after the death of Kate Todd. Having Jessica appear in flashbacks through Jimmy's memories would add a heartfelt feel to their relationship. It would cement the feelings they have for each other while maintaining Jessica's appearances in season 22, at least momentarily.
The flashbacks could occur through Jessica's side as well and could feature her memories of her and Jimmy together. These scenes could happen whether Jessica and Jimmy break up or stay together. Regardless, the use of flashbacks would be best in the case of a break-up or a long-distance relationship, which are the two most likely solutions to the dilemma. It would also be nice to see some more scenes of their relationship together, especially given Jessica's rumored exit.
Jessica Could Start A Long Distance Relationship With Jimmy
The Move Doesn't Mean The 2 Have To Break Up
NCIS season 21 has expanded Jessica Knight and Jimmy Palmer's relationship and season 22 holds a strong potential for showing the couple as a long-distance pair. If Jessica takes the job in Camp Pendleton and Jimmy stays behind in Washington, the couple could stay together by forming a long-distance relationship. As a result, if the couple remains together after the move, Jessica would still be able to appear on NCIS through phone calls and video calls to Jimmy or vice versa.
If Jessica takes the job in Camp Pendleton and Jimmy stays behind in Washington, the couple could stay together by forming a long-distance relationship.
As one of the favorite couples on NCIS, it would be nice to see the two of them stay together even after such a big change. Having them stay together would not only allow Jessica to continue appearing on NCIS in season 22 and beyond, but it would also help solidify them as one of the most stable and emotionally healthy couples in the history of the show. Their union has given a soft touch to the otherwise dramatic and sometimes deadly police procedural, and their relationship adds some relief to the heavy scenes throughout the series.
Jimmy Could Move With Jessica
The 2 Could Keep In Touch With Their Colleagues
Rather than have Jessica and Jimmy be a long-distance couple, Jimmy could go with Jessica to California. By doing so, Jessica could continue to appear on NCIS both through her relationship with Jimmy and through phone calls and video calls to the NCIS team. After working together for years, the team members have developed trusting, emotional bonds with each other. Their friendship will not fade just because some of them may move away.
The move would also give both of them a refreshing start. Jimmy has faced so much loss and sorrow these past few years after saying goodbye to both colleagues and beloved family members. A new job and location would offer a fresh beginning. The move also means huge career growth for Jessica which aligns with her career aspirations. By having Jimmy move with Jessica, the two of them could continue to appear on NCIS by simply keeping in touch with the other members and discussing how they are settling into their new roles.
