Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for the latest episode of <em>NCIS</em>, Season 22, Episode 16. With a remarkable archive of over 400 episodes spanning 22 seasons, the police-procedural series NCIS has managed to maintain its unique appeal without descending into repetitiveness. This success can largely be attributed to its well-developed characters. The Major Crimes Response Team (MCRT) has undergone significant evolution over the years, featuring a plethora of beloved characters who have joined and departed the show. The series has expertly portrayed the various dynamics that emerge when individuals from different backgrounds come together, emphasizing that the concept of family extends beyond blood relations. At its essence, NCIS transcends being merely a show about seeking justice for Navy personnel — it delves into the deep connections formed among colleagues who collaborate daily.

The most recent illustration of this familial bond appears in NCIS Season 22, Episode 16, titled “Ladies Night,” where Jessica Knight (Katrina Law), Robin Knight (Lilan Bowden), and Kasie Hines (Diona Reasonover) take a well-deserved break from their professional lives to enjoy an evening together as friends. However, Jess and Kasie find it challenging to fully engage with the fun plans Robin has organized, as lingering thoughts from a case weigh heavily on their minds. This situation also triggers Jess’s trauma regarding how Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) navigates their relationship. While opinions may vary on whether Robin and Torres are a compatible pair, it is refreshing to witness the women discussing their work/life balance, particularly since their personal lives have not been extensively explored this season. Even though this episode hints at a potential breakup between Torres and Robin, it does not diminish Robin’s importance; her interactions with Jess and Kasie are a dynamic that NCIS currently lacks.

Jess, Robin, and Kasie Unravel the Mystery in ‘NCIS’ Season 22, Episode 16

Following the abrupt conclusion of the previous season due to the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, the current NCIS Season 22 has the opportunity to present episodes that focus more on character development, diverging from the standard case-of-the-week format. Notably, Torres and Alden Parker (Gary Cole) have received ample opportunities for significant character arcs that foster their growth. While it is gratifying to watch them shine, it inadvertently limits the focus on other team members, notably Jess and Kasie. Fortunately, this changes in NCIS Season 22, Episode 16, where Robin expresses her frustration at Jess and Kasie’s inability to enjoy the evening she meticulously planned, yet her interest piques as the case unfolds, revealing a life-or-death scenario that could unjustly imprison an innocent individual.

Utilizing her background as a spiritual EMT, who specializes in cleansing auras and enhancing intuition, Robin meticulously examines the crime scene photographs. She quickly identifies an anomaly: the stones on a chakra statue are misaligned. While McGee, Torres, and Parker take their time to catch up on the investigation, they eventually cross paths with Robin, Jess, and Kasie, who are already dissecting the details of the crime scene. Ironically, despite the episode being dubbed “Ladies Night,” it is the women, who were initially supposed to be off-duty, who ultimately unravel the identity of the murderer. If the show had adopted a more experimental narrative approach, it would have been fascinating to follow Jess, Robin, and Kasie for the majority of the episode, instead of also witnessing the men’s spontaneous gathering.

The Essential Relationship Jessica Knight Must Nurture in ‘NCIS’

Even though Jess and Robin share a sisterly bond, the seamless integration of Kasie into their familial dynamic is delightful to witness. When Robin made her debut in NCIS Season 20, Episode 8, titled “Turkey Trot,” co-penned by Reasonover herself, the bond between Jess and Kasie was irrevocably strengthened after they, along with Robin, were held hostage by a vengeful criminal. In an interview I conducted for Collider, Reasonover emphasized the profound impact that particular episode had on the evolving relationships among Jess, Robin, and Kasie. “That episode undeniably brought them closer together […] Once you’ve shared such a harrowing experience with someone, it’s like you can overcome any challenge. I would be genuinely surprised if anything could ever tear them apart.”

Before the tension-filled hostage scenario, Jess and Robin often exchanged playful jabs, a typical sibling interaction. During one of their light-hearted disagreements, Jess affectionately referred to Kasie as her best friend, which pleasantly surprised Kasie. At that point in the series, Jess had only been part of the team for a single season following Emily Wickersham‘s exit as Ellie Bishop at the end of Season 18. However, their friendship flourished at a remarkable pace, even more so than Jess’s relationship with Jimmy. The emotional weight of Jess’s temporary departure from NCIS at the conclusion of Season 21 primarily revolved around her and Jimmy, yet it would have been beneficial to explore the repercussions of this choice on Jess and Kasie’s friendship.

Improving the Representation of Female Characters in ‘NCIS’

The long-running series NCIS has historically featured a predominantly male cast, with only a maximum of three women appearing simultaneously at any given time. Presently, the main cast comprises just two female characters, played by Law and Reasonover. However, the current season has introduced remarkable female guest stars, such as Bowden and Elle Graper as Victoria Palmer, who should be considered for a permanent role. It has been confirmed that Margo Harshman will soon reprise her role as Delilah Fielding-McGee, the wife of Tim McGee (Sean Murray), yet the lack of women in the main cast remains a notable concern. Even Ziva David, the most established female character on NCIS portrayed by Cote de Pablo, experienced stagnation in her character development prior to her exit.

The episode “Ladies Night” poignantly illustrates the personal challenges faced by Jess, Kasie, and Robin, thereby adding depth and humanity to these characters. If it turns out that Torres and Robin have indeed parted ways, it will mark a significant moment where all three women — Robin, Kasie, and Jess — find themselves single at the same time for the first time in a long while. As NCIS approaches its milestone of 500 episodes with the upcoming Season 23, there is a hopeful anticipation that the series will continue to enhance the camaraderie among Jess, Robin, and Kasie, allowing them to work together on cases without the complexity of romantic relationships.

NCIS is currently available for streaming on Paramount+ in the United States.

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