Jessica Knight's farewell from NCIS would be a significant loss for the series, but her departure could restore the best trope to the franchise after six years. Jessica Knight joined the Major Case Response Team (MCRT) in NCIS season 19. She proved herself a skillful agent alongside her team members, Nick Torres and Timothy McGee. She was a worthy installment in an NCIS legacy that spans 19 years. Now, Jessica Knight actor Katrina Law has the chance to pass that on; a new character can join the cast of NCIS and step into the role.
The NCIS season 21 finale set the stage for Jessica Knight's departure. While Katrina Law is withholding her season 22 status so far, the episode centered on Jess accepting a promotion that would take her to the other side of the United States. She could walk back the decision now and stay a few more years with her boyfriend and the team's medical examiner, Jimmy Palmer, but it's far more likely that Knight will move forward with her decision. The change creates exciting opportunities for new dynamics and fresh growth, including a franchise trope with proven success.
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Jessica Knight's NCIS Departure Can Restore Romance Between The Two Leading Agents
NCIS Has A Tradition Of Love Between Its Leading Agents
Jessica Knight's departure could restore romance between the two leading agents on NCIS. The franchise employed this trope at the beginning of the series when Sasha Alexander's Kate Todd worked alongside Anthony DiNozzo. The agents had a will they/won't they relationship that kept things exciting and allowed viewers to get to know the agents as they got to know each other. The franchise continued the trend after Kate Todd's shocking NCIS death when Ziva took over for Kate in season 3. Tony and Ziva improved on the dynamic without the series slighting Kate.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva is a new NCIS spinoff series that will explore the lives of former NCIS agents Anthony DiNozzo and Ziva David as they are on the run across Europe after an attack on Tony's security firm.
While not necessary to deliver a complex offering, the NCIS series is most compelling when the two leading agents are romantically involved. Jessica and Nick are in Tony and Ziva's former positions and aren't interested in one another. As such, Nick hasn't had any promising relationship potential since he was loosely involved with Ellie Bishop, who filled Ziva's role when she left the team. The series had its golden years during the Tony/Ziva days. If Jessica Knight departs, Nick has another opportunity for romance, which could bring out new qualities in his character.
Jessica Knight Broke A Tradition Of Will They/Won't They Relationships In NCIS
Jessica Knight Didn't Flirt With Her Partner Like Kate And Ziva
Jessica Knight broke a tradition of romance between the series' leading agents. While Kate and Tony had a relationship that sometimes felt more like siblings, the series implied that Kate and Tony would have ended up together had Kate not been killed in season 2
Knight reworked the playbook.
Then, for a moment, after Cote de Pablo left NCIS in season 11 and before Vilmer Valderrama joined the series in season 14, there was a lull in NCIS romance. Nick and Emily restored the trend when their complicated romance began. The agents went undercover, igniting an intriguing romantic spark that didn't come to fruition before Wickersham left after NCIS season 18. Katrina Law's character had no romantic ties to Nick, which would have carried on the trope. Knight reworked the playbook for when she took over in season 19. She delivered on romance but not between the leading agents.
Jessica Knight Set A Precedent By Dating The Team's Medical Examiner
Jess Ultimately Began A Romance With Brian Dietzen's Dr. Jimmy Palmer
It's not that Jessica Knight didn't bring exciting relationship possibilities to the series; she just dated the medical examiner instead. Katrina Law's NCIS character set a precedent for dating the medical examiner in the series; a relationship had never occurred between the ME and a series regular. That would have been much less likely before with the elder Ducky character. Agent Knight joining the series ushered in exciting romantic possibilities for Jimmy, who had previously experienced romance on the series, but much of which had taken place off-screen since his wife wasn't a part of the main cast.
The original medical examiner of the NCIS series was Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard, portrayed by David McCallum.
It was exciting to see romance unfold for Jimmy after he lost his wife Breena to COVID-19, but his relationship with Jessica Knight has a sad expiration date. Since Jessica Knight has a path to leave, and Jimmy reacted poorly to Jess' idea of long-distance, that could be the end of their romance. If Katrina Law does leave NCIS and on amicable terms, she can reprise the character (and the romance) from afar, as did Ziva David. That said, Jimmy has a daughter, so Knight and Palmer's NCIS relationship coming to an end might be what he wants.
What Setting Up A New Potential Romance Would Mean For NCIS Season 22
Nick Torres Could Find New Love In NCIS Season 22
Knight's departure opens the playing field for another NCIS romance between the series' leading agents. That means Agent Torres will be next for romance in NCIS. Honestly, the character is overdue. While he had a brief entanglement with Ellie during her time on the series, it never reached a satisfying conclusion. The leading romance could return with a new agent who can bring more depth to Nick's character. Nick still mourns the love of his life. It would be a revolutionary NCIS development for the series if Nick had a relationship that allowed him to fall in love.
Nick's high school sweetheart, Sofia, died of cancer.
Nick Torres is a complex, emotional character who holds it together for himself and others on the outside. Introducing a love interest to Nick who could break down his walls – in the way that Ziva did for Tony – and would have the potential to be the next great NCIS romance. In NCIS season 21, Nick went to prison, resolving some of his childhood trauma by seeing justice served to the man who abused his family. It would be the perfect time for Torres to open up more now that he has confronted a significant demon from his past.
NCIS' core relationships have the potential to live on in unique ways.
When executed successfully, NCIS' core relationships have the potential to live on in unique ways. Tony and Ziva's NCIS romance created a compelling legacy. Years later, the former agents received a spinoff series to continue their narrative, and that could be on the table for Knight and Palmer someday. For now, there are exciting opportunities for fresh romance. It's reasonable for co-workers not to date and would be more realistic for the series, but a romance at the center of the NCIS action intensifies the dynamic.
