The World Mourns the Loss of David McCallum, NCIS Legend md20

NCIS Season 23 confirms it has the perfect replacement for the romance between Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) in Episode 5, the franchise’s crossover event. On November 11, the franchise aired a two-part episode in honor of Veterans’ Day, featuring a case that spans over 30 years. It starts with “Funny How Time Slips Away” in NCIS: Origins, and NCIS continues the investigation with “Now and Then.” The first half features an appearance from Mark Harmon’s Gibbs as the franchise revisits one of his earliest cases.

Harmon doesn’t return to the flagship in the crossover, but a member of Gibbs’ original team, Special Agent Vera Strickland, appears in NCIS Season 23, Episode 5, with Roma Maffia guest-starring. Vera has become a key character in the Gibbs-focused prequel, though Strickland hasn’t appeared in NCIS since her introduction to the franchise in 2013. Vera Strickland appears in NCIS Season 11, Episode 3, and briefly replaces Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) on the Major Case Response Team (MCRT). She’s back 12 years later in “Now and Then,” with a callback to her connection to Ziva.

Vera Strickland Calls Back To Tony DiNozzo & Ziva David In NCIS Season 23

The crossover begins in NCIS: Origins in Serenity, California. The small, dust-blown town covers up the murder of Louis Burke, a petty officer they believed was responsible for the death of Dominick Wallace, one of the town’s most beloved residents. Thomas Mulligan (Shiloh Fernandez) goes to prison for a murder he didn’t commit to protect mother-to-be Lainey Sims (Gabrielle Haugh). In NCIS, Vera gives MCRT her insider intel when older Mulligan (Michael Lowry) escapes prison and leaves a trail leading to Vera’s house, involving Strickland in the case.

While she initially dodges their questions, Vera ultimately inserts herself into MCRT’s investigation. Once at NCIS Headquarters, Vera evades Alden’s efforts to sideline her, promoting herself from reviewing files in the basement to fielding calls alongside Special Agents Parker and McGee (Sean Murray) in the Multiple Threat Action Center (MTAC). When she sees Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) and Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) on the large video screen, Vera remarks, “Who are they, the new Tony and Ziva?” With her sly comment, Strickland confirms Nick and Jess could be their replacements.

Vera is familiar with Tony and Ziva, having worked alongside Harmon’s Gibbs character and his team during her appearance in NCIS Season 11. Although Vera was in the bullpen and at NCIS Headquarters to meet with Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) and complete the necessary procedures to leave the agency, she became entangled in a case when McGee lost his NCIS credentials, leaving the team down an agent. The team was already short-staffed due to Ziva’s departure. That said, Vera was in the original series during the era of the fan-favorite characters.

Vera Confirms Nick Torres & Jessica Knight Are Replacing Tony & Ziva

Vera’s comment carries weight, as it seemingly confirms the impression Nick and Jess have given some fans in NCIS Season 23. The series has arguably been teasing a romance between Torres and Knight, although their talk of their “friendship” veils any deeper feelings beneath the surface. However, Nick and Jess’ relationship may follow a slow-burn romance pattern, similar to how Tony and Ziva’s love story unfolded. While it was touch-and-go for Tony and Ziva until David exited the series, Weatherly and de Pablo’s characters form one of the most beloved NCIS romances.

While some have hesitated to ship Nick and Jess just yet, since nothing has officially happened yet, NCIS Season 23, Episode 3, teased Torres and Knight’s relationship evolving. The fact that Vera immediately compares Nick and Jess to Tony and Ziva also reveals a great deal. While she could just be referring to the fact that the agents have replaced DiNozzo and David’s positions, which is true, something instantly reminds Vera of their predecessors. Vera reflects what many NCIS viewers have been thinking for the last few seasons, wondering if Nick and Jess are an item.

Regardless of what she meant and how it plays out, Vera’s comment confirms that the series is knowingly evoking Tony and Ziva’s story with the connection between Nick and Jess by having Strickland call back to the former agents. The NCIS franchise wouldn’t have Vera refer to Tony and Ziva directly upon meeting Agents Torres and Knight if they didn’t want viewers to associate their stories with the original characters. The comment could be confirmation that NCIS wants fans to pay attention to what’s brewing beneath the surface for Parker’s special agents.

What Will Happen With Knight & Torres’ Romance In NCIS Season 23?

While Knight and Torres haven’t directly confirmed their romantic feelings for one another, Tony and Ziva were also hesitant to express much. However, the agents shared plenty of romantically charged moments. Emotional connections had been forming from early on, and fans could sense the chemistry despite the agents pursuing other romances. Rather than glaring confirmation, NCIS offered subtle hints that something was evolving. Nick and Jess have experienced similar developments, such as when the agents pretend to get married in NCIS Season 22 and accidentally make it official.

If things continue on their current pace, there could be tangible developments in the romance between Knight and Torres in NCIS Season 23 before the season is over. Breaking the silence on speculation about Nick and Jess’ romance, NCIS star Wilmer Valderrama, who plays Nick, instructed viewers to “definitely read into everything” regarding his character’s story this season. Therefore, moments like the one between Torres and Knight in NCIS Season 23, Episode 3, when Nick asks Jess to save the last dance for him, might carry even more weight than they initially appear to.