In NCIS season 22, the show sets up the break-up of Jessica Knight and Jimmy Palmer, repeating one of the series’ most contentious character exits and arguably making it worse. Knight’s departure is more problematic than Bishop’s controversial exit in season 18 because of her immediate romance with Palmer, which escalated into a full-blown affair. Palmer’s history of abrupt goodbyes to loved ones underscores the need for a meaningful conversation before Knight’s potential departure.
Despite the shorter 13-episode season, CBS packed a lot into NCIS season 21. While most story arcs were resolved, some, like Knight’s career dilemma, were left for further exploration in the fall. The season 21 finale saw Knight facing a tough decision: accept a great job offer and leave D.C., or stay and forgo her dream job. Torn between her ambitions and her relationship with Palmer, Knight was further swayed by Palmer’s negative reaction to her news, making their break-up seem inevitable.
Knight’s decision mirrors past heartbreaks on the show, such as the separation of Nick Torres and Ellie Bishop in season 18 when Bishop went undercover. Emily Wickersham’s exit as Bishop remains controversial, with critics arguing her departure was out of character.
Palmer’s track record with farewells hasn’t been great. He didn’t get to say a proper goodbye to his wife, Breena, nor did he share personal moments with Leroy Jethro Gibbs before his departure. Similarly, he missed a proper farewell with Ducky Mallard. Given this history, a meaningful conversation with Knight before she leaves is crucial for Palmer.
Knight and Palmer’s break-up feels worse than Bishop’s for several reasons. Their attraction was immediate and intense, leading to a quick and passionate romance, unlike the slower build-up between Bishop and Torres. Additionally, in today’s world of technology, there’s no reason Knight and Palmer couldn’t maintain a long-distance relationship, unlike Bishop, who had to cut off all contact due to her undercover role.
In summary, the handling of Knight and Palmer’s break-up in NCIS season 22 repeats the show’s pattern of difficult exits but exacerbates it by making the separation more immediate and arguably avoidable.
