NCIS Season 23’s Series First Leaves Palmer In A “Blind Spot,” Says Star

Warning! Spoilers ahead for NCIS season 23, episode 8, “Stolen Moments.”NCIS season 23 fall penultimate finale features a series first that blindsides one of its main cast members. CBS’ 2025-2026 TV line-up has been one hit after another, and a big part of it is the resurgence of its premier procedural. Having been on the air for over two decades, NCIS has tackled a wide array of storylines, but there are still some things that it hasn’t done.

That includes having a clear love triangle. NCIS has some romantic tropes nailed down, such as the will-they/won’t-they arc with Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David, as well as Ellie Bishop and Nick Torres, among others. However, it’s only in season 23 that it fully established a love triangle which involves three main characters in the show. In “Stolen Moments,” the complicated relationship with Jimmy Palmer, Jessica Knight, and Torres is finally solidified after some insinuations throughout NCIS season 23.

In an interview with TVInsider, Brian Dietzen talks about the major set-up in “Stolen Moments,” which he also co-wrote with veteran NCIS writer, Jesse Stern. The actor confirms that Palmer didn’t think that there’s something potentially going on between Knight and Torres, but in the closing moments of the episode, he finally realizes their potential. Read his full quote below:

Brian Dietzen: I think that he definitely wanted to go talk. I don’t think that there was a rushing into one another’s arms and then the music swelling sort of thing. But for him, this whole journey, this whole episode really was about how important is time, and more importantly, that currency of time is only valuable if you spend it with someone and saved time doesn’t really get you more quality time with someone unless you spend it again. So I think that he’s realizing, hey, I would love to try this thing. And wherever Knight and Torres are in their relationship or friendship or wherever they’re headed, I think Jimmy’s a little — that’s been his blind spot. He hasn’t seen that at all. And so for him to recognize that there might be something there, I don’t know if it’s maybe something just Jimmy’s seeing or if it’s something that’s the beginnings of a romance of some sort, he’s been blinded by the fact that he’s been so focused on his day-to-day, his saving time in his basement surrounded by dead bodies, and I think he recognizes by the end, man, that’s no way to live. So, I’m hoping to see some cool growth from him after this.

I think that he’s been blind to it. In this episode, he confesses to Nick that he doesn’t know why things ended before, and I think he wouldn’t be talking that way with Nick if he knew that there was something else going on there. So yeah, I think it’s not that Jimmy’s obtuse about it. I think a lot of people could watch this show and not even see that there’s something going there. It is kind of simmering below the surface. And me as an actor, Brian, I don’t really know what’s going to happen on either.

For context, Palmer and Knight’s love story was cut short in the NCIS season 21 finale after she was offered her dream job that forced her to relocate to Camp Pendleton. When they broke up, they clearly were still in love with each other, and that the break-up wasn’t going to be permanent. NCIS has revisited that arc a few times since, but the pair has delayed their expected reunion. Now, however, that feels more improbable than ever, as Torres joins the mix.

There have been hints of Knight having feelings for Torres in NCIS season 23, but it’s unclear how he feels about her. This is especially complicated because he had just dated her sister in season 22. Considering Robin’s personality, not to mention her precarious relationship with Jess, it’s possible that getting together with Torres will create a family conflict. That’s aside from the issues that MCRT will face having to deal with the situation, knowing that Palmer still has feelings for his ex-girlfriend.

At this point, it’s unclear what exactly NCIS plans for its rapidly increasingly complicated romance. It feels like an evolution of the will-they/won’t-they trope, which is a good sign. That said, it isn’t pleasant to see someone so beloved like Palmer deal with another heartbreak. Hopefully, CBS finds a way to give everyone the happy personal arcs that they deserve.