NCIS opened Season 22 with an alarming scenario in which Special Agent Jessica Knight — formerly of Alden Parker’s D.C. team, now heading up REACT training at Camp Pendleton — appeared to be holding hostage an innocent clergyman, and was in need of a mild-mannered lawyer to help the master negotiator hash out her legally sus sitch.
But that is not what was going on at all.
The bound-and-gagged priest (played by Gabriel Burrafato) was in fact El Padre, a drug magnate that figured into Special Agent Nick Torres’ current undercover investigation. Attorney Cecilia Ross ( GLOW ‘s Jackie Tohn) was also, and unbeknownst to her, being held hostage by Knight, who had deduced that the divorce attorney in fact was on El Padre’s payroll, and had intel that could save Torres’ life.
“This was such a fun episode to shoot,” NCIS star Katrina Law shares with TVLine in the video above. “We had some wonderful guest stars, and getting to play off of [Jackie], going back and forth, she was fantastic.
“And the poor guy who was our hostage just had to sit there with a gag in his mouth for like, hours, hours and hours,” Law recalls. “Very good sport about the whole thing.”
Knight’s brush with hostage-taking, which happened during a visit from former boss man Parker (Gary Cole), led to a confession of sorts — that while the REACT gig was a sound career move, she very much misses her NCIS family back East.
“As soon as she sees Parker’s face, it just kind of clicks for her,” says Law. “I thought I needed something new, I thought I needed to get away from everybody and just start over fresh, but ultimately what I want and what I need is to go home — and home is in D.C. at this moment.”
Though viewers did not see Jessica give her answer when Alden asked what it is that she wants, rest assured that “as soon as Episode 2 rolls around” next Monday, “it is Knight back at her desk, full speed,” Law previews. “It’s like she never left, and California was some weird blip that kind of happened.”
Somewhat conspicuously, Jessica did not return to the big orange room by the end of the season opener, where beau Jimmy (Brian Dietzen) had spruced up her old desk. Is a tough conversation about to be had by the long-distance lovers?
“You know what? The interesting part about the Jessica/Jimmy thing is it’s not until Episode 4 that they actually talk about anything,” Law reveals. “The two of them are so set on just making things work and acting like they’re OK and that nothing has happened, but all of a sudden in Episode 4 they are caught in a situation where they are by themselves, alone, and they cannot leave, and all of a sudden they’re going, ‘Well, guess we kind of have to have a talk now!'”
That talk, Law says, is “awkward and funny and heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time.”
Press play above for Law’s complete thoughts on Jess’ return, the Jimmy situation, new Deputy Director (and possible mole?!) LaRoche and more.
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