NCIS Recap: Did Jimmy/Jess Romance Survive Her Father’s Visit?
Fans of NCIS‘ Jimmy/Jess romance were put through the wronger this week, when the latter’s father paid a visit to D.C.
Special Agent in Charge Feng Zhao (played by Russell Wong) aka “the Gibbs of the Far East” arrived in town after one of the agents from the Yokosuka office that he oversees was seemingly involved in a deadly shooting after escaping a ship explosion.
Getting wind of the VIP’s visit, Jimmy (Brian Dietzen) of course was excited to meet his girlfriend’s father. But when Jimmy arrived in the squad room with coffee for both Jess and her lactose-intolerant dad, Feng was slightly confused and yet impressed by the eager “probie.” Jimmy then tried to make clear that he is, you know, “Jimmy!” — only to slowly and agonizingly realize that Jess’ dad has been told exactly nothing about the very special medical examiner in her life. Ouch.
When father and daughter peeled off to work the case at hand, Feng told Jessica that he picked up on the fact that Jimmy means something, maybe a lot, to her — and vice versa. Jess acknowledged as much, but then started alluding to how that truth would in her dad’s eyes run counter to “the plan.” The chasing of a POI, capped by a kickass father-daughter apprehension of same, cut short any elaboration on The Plan.
Later at HQ, when Jess clocked that Jimmy was crestfallen, she pulled him aside to explain why she hadn’t spoken of him/their relationship to her dad. The Plan, she shared, involved her rising to the position of team leader, then SAC, then Deputy Director, and then Director of NCIS — an important trajectory, she said, after the years-ago setback of losing her REACT team. But what’s important, Jess assured Jimmy, is that she is personally very happy right now with him and Victoria in her life, though the “right now” really stuck with Dr. Palmer for the rest of the episode.
Once the Case of the Week was cracked, Feng commended his daughter on her work as an agent (while also suggesting her hand-to-hand combat skills could use polishing). He then shared that his bike accident last year got him considering retirement, and he has already put in a good word for Jessica to be his successor as SAC for the Yokosuka office.
Jess shared that news with Jimmy, who offered his whole-hearted support — to a degree that she felt like he was maybe breaking things off with her…? Jess is happy where she is, she made clear to her beau, and has no intentions of taking the promotion. “Right now,” Jimmy suggested. And while Dr. Palmer claimed that things are OK between the two of them, you have to figure that this tiny bump in their relationship will lead somewhere.
Me, I don’t see NCIS chronicling the actual break-up moment, if there is one coming, for Jess and Jimmy. That’d be too awkward, too sad, too soapy. Instead, I’d predict that an upcoming episode will quietly reveal that the two stopped dating, in the wake of this hiccup. And then we see how things go from there. But truly, I’m just spitballing based on ominous-y things Dietzen told TVLine in the video above.
What did you think of the episode “The Plan,” and what Jimmy and Jessica went through?
Want scoop on NCIS, or for any other TV show? Email InsideLine@tvline.com, and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line!
Makes sense that Palmer was rattled by her saying “right now” because it took a lot for him to open up again after the loss of Breena. I feel like he is bracing for her to leave. So it may take to,e for them to get back to a good place, if they can.
I don’t think Jess meant anything bad by 5e “happy right now” comment but when you add it to her not having even breathed a word to her dad about him, can see how it may come across to Palmer that she has one foot out the door when he has been clear that he is all in.
Where’s the passion? Given events of the night, it’s pretty apparent that Jimmy wouldn’t fight for Jess. And I’m not so sure she would for him either. A Tiva situation, it’s definitely not.
There are different ways of fighting.
At the end of the episode when Jimmy arrived at the diner. He emphatically emphasized that he’ll “ALWAYS SUPPORT”, Jess. To me it was the look at Jess that indicated he was still feeling a bit insecure about her “For Now” comment. In admitting to her father, He Loves Her. He possibly laid the ground work for her to actually clarify that statement. One thing that struck me, was not once did she tell her father she loves him. I’m hoping the producers don’t end the relationship. Jimmy is not the kind if guy you want to hurt. With Jess’ father now retiring it seems like there could be a possibility the producers see an opportunity to strengthen their bond. She obviously want to be with him. As she told her father, “We” can see more of him.
All I have to say is…Russell Wong!
It’s not just the idea of him losing her that would rattle Palmer. I get the impression that Knight and Victoria have gotten close and the thought of his daughter losing another important woman in her life would break his heart.
As excited as I was for wong, his character felt forced. And where did Jess dream of becoming director come from? In the episode where Mcgee was acting director and admitted he’d like to take his career that way both Torres and Jess said no, they’d like a path that keep them in the field
I get the feeling that Jess is making her dad happy by following along on The Plan, which I think is more His Plan rather than Their Plan.
It is pretty clear that dear old dad never considered that Jess might have other ideas or that she was no longer interested.
If memory serves, McGee had similar issues with his father.
The really sad part of all of this is that Palmer has been gut punched by someone he trusted and has feelings for.
I agree. Jess seemed afraid to tell her dad, she now has a different plan. I’m glad the episode ending gave us hope. Although I’m not convinced the producers are thinking Jimmy and Jess are long term. I’m a bit nervous.
It will really piss fans off if they have break up of Jess and Jimmy
NCIS parents always throwing a spanner in the works….
gibbs used to have to clean up the mess with their kids
I am 100% rooting for Jimmy and Jess to go the distance. My favourite Couple right now (except for Lucy/Kate on NCIS: Hawaii)
Jess is Wrong, she has Broken a man’s Heart for the sake of her personal advancement! It’s Jimmy Palmer that deserves Better!!
Really hope that they stay together and they develop a meaning relationship. Problems seem to stem from the couple not really dealing with them not dealing with his hurt feelings when he first met her father. Hurt stays if not resolved and will raise it’s Head worse when triggered
She seems insensitive to this. She is a hostage negotiator and should have caught on what was really going on. Hope she gets a clue.