At the beginning of NCIS Season 22, Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) returned to D.C. and her old job. No one was happier than her ex, Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen). The two broke up last season when she had to move to California for a new opportunity. When she returned, it seemed logical that sparks would fly, but instead, they kept their distance. Knight is a great character, but this season she’s been brought down by the tedious, repetitive scenes in which she and Palmer danced around whether their relationship would resume. It’s time to mix things up and give her a new man in her life.
Knight and Palmer Need a Stronger Relationship Obstacle
When Knight and Palmer finally did discuss their relationship in the NCIS episode “Sticks and Stones,” the reasons they brought up for staying apart were unsatisfying. The idea that Palmer needs stability and Knight needs someone who’ll pursue adventures with her all over the world doesn’t feel like a good enough reason to keep them apart when Knight is back in D.C. and seemingly not actively looking for opportunities elsewhere. If Knight and Palmer are going to stay apart for the rest of the season, it’s time to introduce a stronger obstacle to their relationship. Palmer and Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) have both had plotlines about getting on dating apps. Knight deserves to join in on the fun.
‘NCIS’ Recently Teased a New Love Interest for Knight
The episode “Knight and Day” teased the possibility of Knight getting a love interest. At the beginning of the episode, Torres informs the rest of the team that he and Knight went to a graduation party for Knight’s sister Robin Knight, and she’d gotten pretty drunk. When Knight arrives, it’s revealed she took home a jacket from a man she has a hazy memory of. The team uses their considerable resources to track the jacket owner down, discovering he’s a man named Kyle who plays in a band. When they inform Knight that Kyle is coming to pick up his jacket and will want to meet her, she says she’s too busy to date. But, then she thinks it over and finally says, “Actually… let me know if he’s cute.”
Hopefully, NCIS Season 22 will pursue this further, if only to add more tension and conflict to Knight’s relationship with Palmer. A new love interest would ignite Palmer’s jealousy and give Knight a comparison that could either make her see her ex in a new light or reinforce her decision that they’re better as friends. Either way, it would break up the monotony of their storyline this season.
It’s Time To Let Knight Explore What She Wants in a Relationship
If NCIS does choose to pursue the mysterious Kyle character, he could make a great foil for Palmer. Knight’s nerdy, mild-mannered ex always plays things safe. A bad boy who plays in a band would be the perfect character to provide a contrast with him. Since Knight and Palmer talked theoretically about how she needs someone to go on adventures with her, it’s time to actually test that, so Knight can learn what she really wants.
When she shines, Jessica Knight has been a phenomenal character in NCIS Season 22 — like the clever hostage situation in the season opener. The scenes involving her personal life drag her character down because they’re far too repetitive. Even her scenes with her other colleagues are dominated by questions about if she’ll get back together with Palmer. A new love interest would allow her to do more than just rehash her relationship with her ex.