The long-running procedural powerhouse, NCIS, is off to a dramatically charged start in its 23rd season, following the intensely personal two-part premiere that centered on Special Agent Alden Parker and the aftermath of his father’s murder. Now, as the Major Case Response Team (MCRT) settles back into a more routine, albeit still high-stakes, case-of-the-week format, the focus shifts to two key team members: Nick Torres and Jessica Knight.
NCIS Season 23, Episode 3, titled “The Sound and the Fury,” promises to delve deep into Torres’ past while setting up a massive potential career change for Knight. Here is your comprehensive guide on when and where to tune in, and what major plot developments fans can expect from this critical third episode.
📅 Release Date & Time
NCIS maintains its long-established primetime slot, a beacon of network television stability.
The third episode of the season, “The Sound and the Fury,” is officially scheduled to air on:
- Release Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 (Note: The NCIS Season 23 premiere was October 14, 2025).
- Time Slot: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) / 7:00 p.m. Central Time (CT).
- Network: CBS (the CBS Television Network).
This air date places the episode directly after the two-part, Parker-focused season premiere, allowing the show to transition into individual character arcs that have been building over recent seasons.
💻 Where to Watch “The Sound and the Fury”
For both cable subscribers and cord-cutters, there are several reliable ways to catch the action live or on-demand.
1. Live Broadcast (Cable & Streaming Services)
The most direct way to watch is via the traditional television network:
- CBS: Tune in at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on your local CBS affiliate.
- Live TV Streaming Services: Cord-cutters can access the live CBS feed through services that carry the network, including FuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Sling TV (in select markets).
2. On-Demand Streaming (Paramount+)
For viewers who prefer to watch on their own schedule, or for those outside the US, the official streaming home of NCIS is Paramount+.
- Paramount+ Premium Subscribers: Those with the Premium ad-free plan can often stream the episode live as it airs on their local CBS station.
- Paramount+ Essential Subscribers: The episode will be available for on-demand streaming the day after the original broadcast. This means Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
International Viewers: NCIS is typically released on Paramount+ in countries like Canada and Australia, often airing the day after the US broadcast. Always check local listings for the exact time.
🔮 What to Expect: Major Plot Details
Episode 3, “The Sound and the Fury,” signals a return to the ensemble approach, presenting two significant, potentially game-changing plot lines for the MCRT.
1. Torres’ Terrifying Encounter and the Return of Agent Sawyer
The primary case revolves around the death of a petty officer connected to a blackmail investigation. This professional crisis quickly becomes intensely personal for Special Agent Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) due to the involvement of a familiar face: Special Agent Dale Sawyer (Zane Holtz).
- The Conflict: Sawyer, who last appeared in a morally gray storyline that saw him demoted, is back to assist on the case. Their professional rivalry is well-known, with Torres often questioning Sawyer’s ethics and methods. While they buried the hatchet previously, the new synopsis suggests their dynamic will immediately revert to one of high tension.
- The Danger: The official synopsis teases that the case takes a “terrifying turn for Torres.” Given the blackmail angle and Torres’ past undercover work and history of emotional volatility, this turn could be linked to an old enemy, a personal secret, or a situation where Sawyer’s questionable methods put Torres’ life at risk. Fans should brace for an action-heavy, character-driven subplot focused on Torres’ need to stay on the straight and narrow while working alongside his former frenemy.
2. Knight’s Career Crossroads: The Offer from NCIS Elite
The second major storyline focuses on Special Agent Jessica Knight (Katrina Law), who is presented with an opportunity that could dramatically alter her career trajectory and her place within the MCRT.
- The Offer: Knight is “offered an opportunity to train with NCIS Elite.” This refers to the NCIS’s specialized, high-level operational units, which handle the most sensitive and often most dangerous assignments. This is a significant nod to the lore of the larger NCIS universe, which has seen similar specialized units in spin-offs like NCIS: Los Angeles.
- The Stakes: This offer forces Knight to confront a major career decision. Does she leave the relative stability and family-like atmosphere of the MCRT to pursue an elite path? The storyline will explore the professional ambition she has often hinted at, especially after her past involvement with the REACT team. This decision is also deeply tied to her burgeoning and beloved relationship with Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen). A move to an elite, mobile unit would create serious complications for “Knight/Palmer,” forcing both characters—and the fans—to question the future of their romance.
The Broader Season 23 Theme: Character Focus
The shift in Episode 3 from the collective threat of the Parker arc to the individual dilemmas of Torres and Knight aligns with the showrunners’ overall plan for NCIS Season 23. Producers have signaled that this season will be heavily “character-forward,” dedicating more screen time to developing the personal histories, relationships, and professional ambitions of the ensemble.
After years of being anchored by the legendary Gibbs, NCIS is now fully embracing its new identity, with each agent carrying a substantial portion of the narrative weight. “The Sound and the Fury” acts as the formal initiation into this new phase, ensuring that while the crime is always solved, the biggest questions posed are about the agents themselves.
Final Thoughts for Viewers
“The Sound and the Fury” is poised to be a pivotal point in Season 23. While the episode promises the classic NCIS blend of investigation and teamwork, it is the personal stakes for both Torres and Knight that will likely leave a lasting impact.
Be sure to tune in on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS or stream the following day on Paramount+ to find out if Torres survives his terrifying encounter and whether Knight chooses a new path with NCIS Elite. The MCRT is back, but it might not be whole for long.
