NCIS Season 22, Episode 11 ‘For Better or Worse’ is a very good episode for interpersonal dynamics—even if the fake wedding is used as more of a joke than a chance to further anyone’s relationship. However, Nick and Jessica’s sibling-like bond has been an important part of the team the show has established, and this episode reaffirms their bond, just as it shows that everyone can move forward, even Nick Torres.
The episode also features more Jessica and Jimmy than we’ve gotten lately, and though there’s nothing outwardly romantic about their dynamic in this hour, the hour does showcase how well Jimmy knows Jessica. It should not come as a surprise, they were friends first and have been trying hard to be friends now, but it is a reminder that these two probably fit better than they could with anyone else. The question is, are they ever going to do something about it?
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WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?
Jimmy gets to the bottom of Jessica’s insecurities about Nick and Robin’s relationship in this NCIS Season 22, Episode 11 ‘For Better or Worse’—one that actually features Robin! And he does so very easily because he knows Jess very well. The thing that’s bothering her about the relationship is fear, basically. She’s afraid that if Torres and Robin don’t work out, she’ll be in the middle and have to choose, and that if they do work out then they’ll just leave her behind.
It’s a normal fear, and it’s kinda telling that only Jimmy can see through her—because she’s so used to keeping things close to the vest. But once she’s called out, and once she processes her feelings, Jessica can then offer her support to two people she really cares about. That, in turn, gives Nick a chance to prove that he won’t leave her behind. Neither will Robin. Because just as much as Robin is her sister, Nick is family in a way too.
And Jessica, she has always taken on the burden of having to take care of others. That’s who she is. And for her, it might even feel like a burden. Sometimes, however, being the one who always takes care of others can blind you to the fact that the people in your life are, in many cases, perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. You don’t always have to do the work. Even if it feels like it.
For Jessica, this is a good realization. Because when she’s not focused on taking care of others, then she can finally look inward. The question is, what will she find when she does?
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THE PERFECT PARTNER
NCIS broke up Jimmy and Jessica in a somewhat silly way and then scratched the surface of real issues to avoid putting them back together again—because procedurals do love a slow burn or will they/won’t they relationship. The problem, of course, is that for a relationship like that to work, there’s gotta be intentionality. And we have to see either Jimmy or Jessica do any of the things they would need to do to find their way back to each other.
We’ve seen some of the two struggling after the breakup, but it’s all felt very detached like the loss of the status quo matters more than what they mean to each other. In that regard, NCIS has given us the setup, yes, but has not done a good job of setting up the emotional stakes. Sure, we want Jessica and Jimmy back together, but we mostly do because we liked what they were when they were a couple. It’s got nothing to do with the show making us feel like they need to be together.
NCIS doesn’t really have other couples—no, we’re not counting Torres and Robin here, we mean the main characters. For a show that already knows what having an iconic duo is (Tiva, anyone?), it would be really silly to give up on Knight and Palmer. They just have to do a little better job at reminding us why these two loved each other, not just why they make sense together.
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Things I think I think:
- At least everyone knows where Jessica stands, even when she’s pretending.
- Why is Jimmy such a dork? Dancing all over. Also, Victoria is getting SO BIG.
- Torres is the worst actor in the history of actors. Leaving the crime scene like that was a dead giveaway. How does he even make it undercover?
- Ok, but the Torres picture on the record is good.
- Didn’t we just have an episode with Torres lying about being undercover? It feels like every Torres episode is now the same.
- Nah, don’t even pretend this is Vance’s fault.
- I’m so glad Parker saw through him.
- Jimmy, why are you such a blabbermouth? And why do people still tell you things knowing you are?
- Yes, why didn’t you have a drawer at Jessica’s place, Jimmy? Let’s unpack that.
- It’s good to see Robin. This episode was a very good use of her.
- “He’s one of my best friends, and I love him, but he is a man who comes with a lot of baggage.” Trust Jessica to say something good and bad in the same sentence.
- Robin is right, it actually is none of Jess’s business.
- Okay, but Jessica referring to Nick as her partner is cute.
- Feels like Parker has strong ideas on weddings.
- Jessica and Jimmy are so comfortable with each other that they’re having serious conversations in the middle of the bullpen.
- Okay, that’s the most awkward kiss in the history of awkward. Are you professionals, or what?
- Jessica’s speech was good, but again, are they professionals or? It’s like no one can properly do undercover.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS Season 22, Episode 11 ‘For Better or Worse’? Please share with us in the comments below!
NCIS airs Mondays at 9/8c on CBS.
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