Jessica Knight’s fate in NCIS season 22 has officially been revealed, and I’m not sure how to feel about it. Katrina Law’s capable Major Case Response Team member was offered her dream job in the NCIS season 21 finale, and while it was a great opportunity, it would force her to leave her current squad. On top of that, it would also complicate her relationship with Jimmy Palmer. While I’m all for women going after their goals, I understand why Knight had a difficult time giving Director Leon Vance an answer.
Unfortunately, Knight didn’t have much time to mull over the decision. In the end, she decided that she wanted the job, half excited and half sad about the decision. In any other show, this would have indicated that Law would no longer be part of NCIS’ cast moving forward. However, as a long-time viewer of the series, I know better than to trust that it would be the end of her stint with MCRT. Over the years, I have seen many fake-out exits in NCIS. Now, ahead of season 22, CBS confirms what lies ahead for the character.
NCIS Season 22’s Official Photo Officially Confirms That Knight Isn’t Leaving
CBS Releases The Official Character Images For NCIS Season 22’s Core Cast
In preparation for the new season, CBS has released fresh promotional images for the core ensemble of NCIS season 22, and that includes Law’s Knight (via Paramount Press). This effectively confirms that despite her answer in the season 21 finale, somehow, she is staying. Because of the police procedural’s history, I’ve always had doubts that Knight would be leaving. For starters, there was never any indication that Law was planning on leaving. While there have been instances that an actor’s exit was kept a secret until their farewell episode, NCIS has been quite good at giving its viewers a heads-up.
That said, the official promotional image for Law’s character confirms that she will be sporting a slightly different hair color in NCIS season 22.
Admittedly, Law’s lighter hair made me question my original conviction about Knight’s NCIS season 22 fate. In addition to that, she also seemed to still be on vacation while production for the upcoming TV cycle had already started. That said, the official promotional image for Law’s character confirms that she will be sporting a slightly different hair color in NCIS season 22. It shouldn’t be that big of a deal, but for people looking for clues about her future before this update, any kind of detail could have been significant in predicting her fate.
Why Knight Staying At MCRT Cheapens NCIS Season 21’s Finale
NCIS Has Had So Many Fake Exits
Even though I have always had a hunch that Knight wasn’t going anywhere, I’m still conflicted about how to feel about this confirmation. Don’t get me wrong, I like Law. She came in at a weird time in NCIS, but she was able to easily assimilate herself into the cast and has become a vital part of Alden Park’s team ever since. Knight was the first MCRT recruit in Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ era. My main issue is how this is yet again another exit fake-out.
Knight being the latest subject of the trope is worse, considering NCIS ‘ history of regularly having to say goodbye to its female agents.
As I’ve mentioned, the police procedural has had a lot of character departures that were eventually overturned. While it has also had great exits, I think it’s time that they moved on from them. Knight being the latest subject of the trope is worse, considering NCIS’ history of regularly having to say goodbye to its female agents. Law’s Knight follows Ellie Bishop, Ziva David, and Kate Todd. Oddly, all of them also occupied the same desk in the MCRT’s bullpen.
Knight Staying At MCRT Doesn’t Solve Her Relationship Problem With Palmer
NCIS Season 22 Sets Knight & Palmer On A Rough Road Ahead
Of course, I want Knight to stay, but after her decision in the NCIS season 21 finale, I feel bad that she won’t be getting her dream job after all. What makes this worse is Knight and Palmer may not be able to fix their relationship following their last conversation. Whatever the reason for Knight not moving forward with her REACT stint, I’m afraid staying at MCRT won’t magically resolve his and her conflict with Palmer. For what it’s worth, her almost leaving just brought up other lingering issues in their relationship.
So, even with Knight staying, the pair’s break-up may move forward, and them still essentially working together would make the whole situation so much more awkward and complicated. Ultimately, I want Palmer and Knight to get back together. However, it’s likely going to be a process, if they’re even going to reconcile at all. This means that they, the MCRT, and the viewers will have to endure this rough patch. In an ideal world, I would rather that NCIS refrained from doing another red herring exit with Knight.