NCIS season 22, episode 4, "Sticks & Stones" officially resolves Jimmy Palmer and Jessica Knight's relationship issue, and Brian Dietzen and Katrina Law break down their decision. CBS' police procedural isn't known for its romances, as it has botched its fair share of romantic pairings in the past. This is why seeing Palmer and Knight maintaining a healthy adult relationship had been a refreshing change. Sadly, the NCIS season 21 finale altered the course of their story, as they were essentially forced to split due to Knight moving to Camp Pendleton.
That didn't work out, and now, she's back at Navy Yard, prompting an awkward conversation with Palmer, which Dietzen and Law break down in a new interview with TV Insider. Before the talk, NCIS season 22 was dancing around the matter, but they needed to address it sooner rather than later. Ultimately, they decide that while they still love each other, it's best to remain separated as they work on themselves. The good thing is, that both actors agree that this isn't the end of the line for Palmer and Knight's relationship. Read what they have to say before.
Dietzen: While a decision is made between the two of them, I don’t think that there’s anything that’s said within there that slams the door shut on anything or establishes anything firmly in cement—because Steve, as Katrina was saying, is just a damn good writer and he’s also very smart about storytelling, and let’s leave some doors open on what may happen, but also what may not and see how it grows from there and how these two can continue to have a lot of great scenes together and see where their relationship grows from here because they’re going to be seeing each other every day at work. And what does that evolve into?
Law: I think that Jimmy and Knight’s relationship is so special, and like you said, we did get to see a couple of beautiful moments of how they functioned as a couple. And I think one of the key things that was said during that conversation was, “I love you.” “I love you too.” Jess put her heart on her sleeve for a moment and said, “Do you want things to change?” And I think she was basically kind of asking, “Do you want to try this again?” And then with Jimmy basically being like, “I’m not the guy for you right now. I can’t give you what you want.” And then Jess having to concede on that, “I can’t give you what you need either right now.” I think there’s still—I don’t think there was a door slamming. I think it was just gently closed for the moment.
But I think the cool part is that we have several episodes where you do see Jimmy and Knight together in the same room, and there are some moments where all of a sudden you can see Knight’s interest is sparked where she’s like, “Oh, that was kind of nice. That was a little hotness there.” And so there’s definitely still chemistry and love and I think an underlying desire to want to get back together between the two of them. So I think you’re going to see that no matter where our characters go in the future.
Dietzen: I think that it kind of comes back to that saying, if you love something, let it go. And then if it’s meant to be, it’ll come back. So I think they’re putting that ideology to the test.
Why It's Best To Keep Knight & Palmer Apart In NCIS Season 22
Knight & Palmer Have Different Goals In Life At This Point
With just 4 episodes in, NCIS season 22 has been quite busy for the MCRT. After bringing back Knight from Camp Pendleton, the team has dealt with an agency mole, an unexpected death that threatened international relations, a haunted missing mystery murder, and more recently, the brink of World War III. Knight and Palmer's relationship woes are difficult to prioritize at this point, so it's great that NCIS is able to find a solution for it without totally walking back on their split. This would have further worsened the backlash on their break-up, considering how unnecessary it was.
Knight and Palmer are able to properly lay out the reasons why they can't simply get back together despite their mutual feelings for each other. They want different things in life right now, and it's okay to let them pursue their individual goals. Dietzen and Law's comments about this separation not being the definitive ending to the pair's romance give a glimmer of hope that perhaps someday, they can find a way to try to be together again — whenever that may be. For now, this is the best resolution that NCIS could have offered in what is a complicated situation.
Our Take on Knight & Palmer's Relationship Decision In NCIS
Knight & Palmer Need Their Time Apart
Admittedly, it's such odd timing to resolve Knight and Palmer during what is the most nerve-wracking episode of the season thus far. It's curious how the outing could have gone if Parker and the team had them for help. However, NCIS could not afford to prolong the issue, especially since both Knight and Palmer had been plagued with questions about the matter.
This is also a good way to build back up the pair's romance — something that the show didn't have the luxury of doing since they were quick to decide about being in a relationship. Now, NCIS can focus its time on other storylines, including its big Timothy McGee problem.
Source: TV Insider
