NCIS season 23, episode 3 quietly confirms what many fans feared – the end of Jessica Knight and Jimmy Palmer’s relationship. After a two-part premiere focused on Alden Parker’s personal struggles, the Halloween-themed episode, “The Sound and the Fury,” shifts the spotlight to Knight and Nick Torres.

The story brings back night-shift agent Dale Sawyer, whose presence disrupts Knight and Torres’ usual partnership. The separation exposes deeper emotions between them – ones that ultimately affect Knight’s connection with Palmer.

Though subtle, the episode makes it clear that Knight and Palmer’s love story has run its course. Their relationship had been one of NCIS’s more stable pairings until their sudden breakup in season 22, when Knight considered a promotion to Camp Pendleton. While CBS left the door open for a reconciliation, Knight’s conversation with Sawyer reveals she may have feelings for Torres – feelings Torres doesn’t seem to return. Still, if Knight has emotionally moved on, rekindling things with Palmer may be impossible.

Palmer and Knight’s bond has shown flickers of affection post-breakup, but there’s been little sign of a real reunion. Their separate roles and limited screen time together make it difficult for NCIS to reignite their romance. Unless the writers take a new direction later in the season, it seems clear that Knight and Palmer’s story has quietly – and perhaps permanently – come to an end.