Jessica Knight had a huge decision to make in the NCIS Season 21 finale, and she made it by the end. Knight is leaving the team to head to Camp Pendleton to train the next REACT team members.
What does this mean for Katrina Law in the series? She is one of the newer stars to join the series, as Knight replaced Bishop in a shocking turn of events back in Season 18. Does this mean the team is looking for another agent to join the team?
While in a lot of cases, we’ve had actors confirm they’re leaving the show, that’s not happened with Law. She has neither confirmed nor denied, and neither have the showrunners.
Could Knight return to the team in the NCIS Season 22 premiere?
It does look like the door is open for Knight to come back. Co-showrunner Steven D. Binder shared with TVLine that the show has a history of not making some exits permanent. We just have to look at how Michael Weatherly’s DiNozzo left the team for a few episodes only to end up returning. This could happen here.
Usually, when there is a major exit, the cast confirms it. We’re then able to prepare for a change of pace in the team as a new character comes in. That isn’t the case here, suggesting that Knight could end up realizing the position isn’t for her and she’s happier with the team, or giving us a chance to see her succeed and have a goodbye at a later date.
What does this mean for Knight and Palmer?
Ever since Knight’s father turned up, the idea of Palmer and Knight getting a happily ever after seemed off the cards. Knight made it clear that Palmer was the man she wanted and he wasn’t holding her back, but it was clear that Palmer had some doubts due to the way Knight’s father reacted to him.
Then the time came for Knight and Palmer to have a talk about what Knight taking the job would mean. After all, it would mean a long-distance relationship, something that Knight would be happy to do. Palmer didn’t like that idea, though, and he did say some harsh words to her. While they were harsh, Knight did later admit that he had a point. Palmer needed to start taking control of his own life instead of losing people due to their actions or simply because of life (and death).
It does look like Knight and Palmer will end due to Knight’s decision to take the job. However, there is a chance that Palmer decides this relationship is worth the test of long-distance.
He has said that he would support Knight in her career progression, but when it’s come down to it though, he couldn’t. This shows that while he wants to support her, he can’t when it’s in a way that affects him on a personal level. Maybe he did have a point and the two just aren’t right for each other.
For now, there’s no confirmation that Law is leaving the series. We’ll have to wait for NCIS Season 22 to see how it all plays out.