Season 22 of NCIS has squarely put the spotlight on Agents Parker (Gary Cole) and McGee (Sean Murray) as they each tackle their own individual storylines that have major outcomes for the series. Even though these two take up the bulk of the runtime and, subsequently, our attention, they are not necessarily responsible for the most memorable moments from the season. And in this case, that disction actually belongs to Agents Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) and Knight (Katrina Law).
At this point, these two have bounced off each other’s energy for a couple of seasons, creating a heart-warming friendship that is always a pleasure to watch. But the recently concluded Season 22 proves they are the best duo currently on the flagship show, not only because of their endless capacity for wry comedic relief, but also due to how solidified their bond has become, which is captured by two key moments of this season.
Torres and Knight Are Always Fun Comedic Relief in ‘NCIS’
Torres and Knight have always effortlessly had banter, and that is what sets them apart. The characters’ dynamic is aided by the on-screen chemistry between Valderrama and Law, which translates perfectly to the friendship Torres and Knight share. But what’s most compelling about their humor in regular episodes of NCIS is how casually they are littered into the script because these two never miss a chance to verbally elbow one another in the ribs, often accompanied by a withering stare as a response. This makes their jokes unexpected and that much more enjoyable.
Of course, the writing plays into their interactions, as their dry quips are always clever enough to be interesting but never facetious and always relatable. We’ve all experienced friendships like that between Torres and Knight, and it’s this relatable quality that makes them more than just comedic relief, especially during this season, where their personal arcs weren’t as consequential as that of Parker and McGee. That’s not to say they didn’t successfully fulfill the role of comedic relief this season, as they became that levity we need as a reprieve from Parker’s visions and McGee’s obsession.
Torres Dates Knight’s Sister in ‘NCIS’ Season 22
NCIS Season 22 subtly digs out the deeper layers of the friendship between Torres and Knight, proving how close the duo really is. The first instance of this is when Torres starts dating Knight’s sister, Robin (Lilan Bowden). The mystery of who Torres is dating unravels over NCIS’s month-long break, as it is revealed that Torres is dating someone new during the Christmas episode “Humbug,” and then we see him texting an unknown person. But we don’t find out until the next episode, “Baker’s Man,” that it is Robin. This plot point becomes a source of awkwardness between Torres and Knight, which lends itself to its own kind of comedy, especially as the secret is passed through a chain of intermediaries, including Jimmy (Brian Dietzen) and Kasie (Diona Reasonover), as the two avoid each other.
Both Torres and Knight have their love lives under the microscope this season, even before Torres begins a relationship with Robin. Season 22 shows Knight navigating her break-up with Jimmy, while Torres decides he wants to make good use of his new gym regimen by hopping on dating apps. The fact that Torres starts dating Knight’s sister a couple of episodes after she helped him build a dating profile has its own flavor of ironic humor, but it also makes the conversation they finally had at the end of “Baker’s Man” feel more significant.
Despite claiming it was “no big deal,” Torres was actually uneasy about impacting the team’s dynamics with his new relationship. Meanwhile, Knight was more worried about her sister’s erratic behavior and the impact that it would have on Torres. Granted, she was also concerned that Torres would just be another face in the string of “bad boys” Robin had dated, but the fact that she reacts to this news by giving equal thought to both her sister and her colleague demonstrates how close she is to Torres. Their concerns and mature reactions end up being one of the sweetest moments of the season, momentarily bringing forth the underlying mutual respect they have for each other over their usual comedic beat. The fact that they can switch between humor and heartfelt moments like this is what makes their dynamic so enjoyable.
‘NCIS’ Season 22 Sees Torres and Knight Get Fake Married
Wilmer Valderrama as Torres marrying Katrina Law as Knight in NCIS Season 22.Image via CBS
The second scene that proves Torres and Knight are the best duo in NCIS Season 22 also involves their love lives, but in an unexpected way. Funnily enough, the episode right after the one where Knight learns of Torres’ relationship involves the pair having a fake wedding during an undercover operation. Even though they had a wedding ceremony with a painful-looking kiss to seal the deal, and in Parker’s beautiful house no less, the actual marriage license was fake… right? In the penultimate episode of the season, we find out that they were actually issued a license, making it a legally binding wedding — Torres and Knight were officially married. It’s an uniquely awkward situation for the friends to find themselves in, especially given the recent developments in the show.
Naturally, their immediate instinct was to recoil in disgust and quickly sort out an annulment, but they changed their tune once they discovered the bounty of perks NCIS offers to married couples. It takes a certain kind of friendship to be able to happily stay married out of convenience, even for a day, while dating your “wife’s” sister. While hilarious, it emphasizes how comfortable they are with each other in their personal lives, as well as out on the field.
Their subsequent no-brainer to annul the marriage when they eventually find out a married couple cannot remain on the same team is also heart-warming under the layers of comedy, especially since Knight did just come back from REACT at the start of the season. In a way, it affirms that the team is truly back together again. From interrelated dating lives to fake marriages, these two minor arcs in Season 22 subtly and hilariously showcase the depth of Torres and Knight’s relationship, proving they are the most iconic duo in the season currently.
