After more than twenty years, NCIS has broken one of its own long-standing rules. Season 23 has introduced the first-ever love triangle that threatens to split the Major Case Response Team (MCRT) at a personal level, a story development that changes a core principle of the show. This major shift centers on Special Agent Jessica Knight and her complicated feelings for two of her closest colleagues .
The NCIS Rule That Has Finally Been Broken
For more than two decades, one rule has defined the team at the heart of NCIS: no matter the personal drama, the Major Case Response Team remains united . Agents have fallen in love, grieved losses, and faced immense personal challenges, but those issues never broke the squad’s emotional bond. The team’s stability and loyalty to each other above all else became a key part of the show’s identity and its long-term success with audiences .
This season has changed that. The show is now exploring a direct personal conflict that forces other team members to take sides. Executive producer Steven D. Binder explained the focus of this season to TV Line, stating, “I know people always say, ‘I watch the show for the characters’ — that was always our thing — and I really want to make this a character-forward show in a way we haven’t seen before.” . This new love triangle is the biggest example of that character-first approach.
Jessica Knight’s Complicated Romance Situation
The conflict revolves around Jessica Knight, played by Katrina Law. Her past relationship with Chief Medical Examiner Jimmy Palmer ended in Season 21 when she moved away for a new job . With Knight now back at the Navy Yard, the door for a reunion with Palmer has been open. However, Season 23 has also developed a strong romantic spark between Knight and fellow agent Nick Torres, played by Wilmer Valderrama .
The situation creates a clear divide. Knight must navigate her history with Palmer and her new connection with Torres. This puts other team members in a difficult position as the love triangle becomes more public. For the first time in the franchise, the personal lives of agents are creating friction that could affect their professional unity .
Showrunner Steven D. Binder told TV Line, “If you’re invested in these people, this is going to be the season for you.” .
How This Change Affects the MCRT Team Dynamic
The introduction of this love triangle breaks the show’s tradition of keeping the team emotionally unified above all else. Previous office romances, like the famous slow-burn relationship between Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David, ultimately served to bring the team closer together . This new storyline does the opposite.
Once Knight’s romantic situation becomes known to the full team, members will feel protective and be forced to choose sides. Even if the team continues to work together professionally on cases, the emotional balance and trust within the MCRT has been altered in a way never seen before on NCIS . This new dynamic creates fresh dramatic possibilities for a show in its 23rd season.
The Return of Ellie Bishop Adds More Tension
Complicating matters further is the return of a familiar face. Emily Wickersham is back as Ellie Bishop in the second half of Season 23 . Bishop was last seen as a fugitive, with Director Leon Vance secretly assigning Knight to track her down .
Bishop’s return is significant for Torres, as she was his last serious romantic interest before Knight . Executive producer Steven D. Binder noted that Bishop’s comeback will stir up unresolved emotions. He told TV Line, “We’re gonna run this story out and have it end, so expect to see her right now in one episode… We have no official plans right now to continue that storyline, but we had a great time with Emily, and Emily had a great time here. So she’s sort of back on the roster, so to speak.” .
When NCIS Season 23 Returns with New Episodes
Fans wanting to see how this team drama unfolds will have to wait a bit longer. NCIS is currently on its winter hiatus. The show will not return with new episodes in January as some fans had hoped .
New episodes of NCIS Season 23 will resume on CBS on Monday, February 24, 2026 . The return episode is titled either “Army of One” or “The Choice,” according to different sources, and will feature the continuation of the Ellie Bishop storyline . This date also marks the return of the other NCIS series, with NCIS: Sydney and NCIS: Origins coming back on the same night .
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