NCIS Season 23, Episode 8, “Stolen Moments,” is one of the strongest episodes in years. Co-written by Brian Dietzen, it delivers an emotional look at Jimmy Palmer while exploring the tension between technology and humanity.
The story follows Jimmy as he tests a DOJ AI chatbot meant to help the team — but it quickly becomes more of a burden than a tool. Still, the AI exposes something Jimmy has been avoiding: how lonely he’s been and how much he still cares about Jessica Knight.
The episode finally addresses their breakup and makes one thing clear:
Jimmy and Jessica never stopped wanting each other.
Jessica hints her “perfect date” was their first date. Jimmy walks toward her at the end to confess his feelings — until he sees her talking to Torres and loses his nerve.
Despite a small tease, the episode makes it obvious: Knight/Torres isn’t real. The real story is Jimmy and Jessica avoiding their feelings and blaming “bad timing.”
Enter Gibbs’ Rule 24: “There’s no such thing as perfect timing.”
Jimmy understands it… just not enough to act on it.
The stage is set for a reunion — if they finally stop waiting for the universe to decide for them.
