Warning! Spoilers forward for NCIS season 23, episode 8, “Stolen Moments.”NCIS season 23 fall penultimate finale encompasses a collection first that blindsides one in every of its primary solid members. CBS’ 2025-2026 TV line-up has been one hit after one other, and a giant a part of it’s the resurgence of its premier procedural. Having been on the air for over twenty years, NCIS has tackled a big selection of storylines, however there are nonetheless some issues that it hasn’t performed.
That features having a transparent love triangle. NCIS has some romantic tropes nailed down, such because the will-they/received’t-they arc with Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David, in addition to Ellie Bishop and Nick Torres, amongst others. Nevertheless, it is solely in season 23 that it totally establishes a love triangle which includes three primary characters within the present. In “Stolen Moments,” the sophisticated relationship with Jimmy Palmer, Jessica Knight, and Torres is lastly solidified after some insinuations all through NCIS season 23.
In an interview with TVInsider, Brian Dietzen talks in regards to the main set-up in “Stolen Moments,” which he additionally co-wrote with veteran NCIS author, Jesse Stern. The actor confirms that Palmer did not assume that there is one thing probably happening between Knight and Torres, however within the closing moments of the episode, he lastly realizes their potential. Learn his full quote under:
Brian Dietzen: I believe that he undoubtedly wished to go discuss. I don’t assume that there was a dashing into each other’s arms after which the music swelling type of factor. However for him, this entire journey, this entire episode actually was about how necessary is time, and extra importantly, that forex of time is just helpful in the event you spend it with somebody and saved time doesn’t actually get you extra high quality time with somebody until you spend it once more. So I believe that he’s realizing, hey, I’d love to do this factor. And wherever Knight and Torres are of their relationship or friendship or wherever they’re headed, I believe Jimmy’s a bit of — that’s been his blind spot. He hasn’t seen that in any respect. And so for him to acknowledge that there is likely to be one thing there, I don’t know if it’s possibly one thing simply Jimmy’s seeing or if it’s one thing that’s the beginnings of a romance of some type, he’s been blinded by the truth that he’s been so targeted on his day-to-day, his saving time in his basement surrounded by lifeless our bodies, and I believe he acknowledges by the tip, man, that’s no method to dwell. So, I’m hoping to see some cool development from him after this.
I believe that he’s been blind to it. On this episode, he confesses to Nick that he doesn’t know why issues ended earlier than, and I believe he wouldn’t be speaking that means with Nick if he knew that there was one thing else happening there. So yeah, I believe it’s not that Jimmy’s obtuse about it. I believe lots of people might watch this present and never even see that there’s one thing going there. It’s type of simmering under the floor. And me as an actor, Brian, I don’t actually know what’s going to occur on both.
For context, Palmer and Knight’s love story was reduce brief within the NCIS season 21 finale after she was supplied her dream job that compelled her to relocate to Camp Pendleton. After they broke up, they clearly have been nonetheless in love with one another, and that the break-up wasn’t going to be everlasting. NCIS has revisited that arc just a few occasions since, however the pair has delayed their anticipated reunion. Now, nevertheless, that feels extra inconceivable than ever, as Torres joins the combo.
There have been hints of Knight having emotions for Torres in NCIS season 23, nevertheless it’s unclear how he feels about her. That is particularly sophisticated as a result of he had simply dated her sister in season 22. Contemplating Robin’s character, to not point out her precarious relationship with Jess, it is doable that getting along with Torres will create a household battle. That is except for the problems that MCRT will face having to cope with the state of affairs, figuring out that Palmer nonetheless has emotions for his ex-girlfriend.
At this level, it is unclear what precisely NCIS plans for its quickly more and more sophisticated romance. It seems like an evolution of the will-they/received’t-they trope, which is an efficient signal. That stated, it is not nice to see somebody so beloved like Palmer cope with one other heartbreak. Hopefully, CBS finds a method to give everybody the completely satisfied private arcs that they deserve.
NCIS
6/10
- Launch Date
-
September 23, 2003
- Showrunner
-
Donald P. Bellisario
- Administrators
-
Dennis Smith, Terrence O’Hara, Tony Wharmby, James Whitmore Jr., Thomas J. Wright, Michael Zinberg, Arvin Brown, Rocky Carroll, Diana Valentine, Leslie Libman, Tawnia McKiernan, Colin Bucksey, William Webb, Bethany Rooney, Alrick Riley, Jeff Woolnough, Alan J. Levi, Lionel Coleman, Martha Mitchell, Peter Ellis, Michael Weatherly, Edward Ornelas, Stephen Cragg, Tom Wright
-
Sean Murray
Timothy McGee
-
David McCallum
Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard