After the summer break, Brian Dietzen is back on the set for NCIS season 22 amid continued questions about Jimmy Palmer and Jessica Knight’s future. On top of the mystery about Alden Parker’s Lily in the NCIS season 21 finale, the capper also introduced a major dilemma for the couple. Director Leon Vance offered Knight her dream job, but that means she would have to leave the Major Case Response Team (MCRT), including Jimmy. When NCIS season 21 wrapped up, the pair’s future remained hanging in the balance, with the promise that season 22 would officially resolve it.
Taking it to his official Instagram account, Dietzen confirms that he is back on the set as Palmer for NCIS season 22.
In the image, the actor shows off Palmer’s signature spectacles in front of the NCIS logo. The new snap confirms that production for NCIS season 22 has started three months after its premiere.
Will Palmer & Knight Really Break Up In NCIS Season 22?
Palmer & Knight Breaking Up Is Unnecessary
For context, Knight did accept the offer to transfer to REACT at the end of NCIS season 21. However, this doesn’t guarantee that she will actually leave MCRT. NCIS is not new to fake-out exits. At one point, Vance even split Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ best team, only for them to be reunited a few episodes later. The same went for Ziva David’s first time leaving MCRT. So, all of this commotion may be for nothing. After the summer break, perhaps something changed that convinced Knight to stay in Navy Yard for NCIS season 22.
However, assuming that Knight is really leaving MCRT in and transferring to Camp Pendleton in NCIS season 22, it shouldn’t automatically mean that she and Palmer should break up. Granted that there was already conflict between them before she decides to accept the job opening, but it shouldn’t be difficult for them to sit down and talk about whether they need to separate simply because they aren’t both based in the DMV. A long-distance set-up is very much a possibility, especially in this day and age of technology. This also keeps the door open for Knight to come back to MCRT anytime.
Sadly, there is no indication that Katrina Law is also back on the set to reprise her role as Knight. This means that if NCIS is serious about writing her out, the season 21 finale may likely be the last time that she will be on the show. In any case, with just a few months to go before Palmer and the rest of the MCRT come back for season 22, viewers won’t have to wait long for answers.