When it comes to delivering sharp truths with a side of humor, Vera Strickland (played by Roma Maffia) never disappoints. In the recent episode of “NCIS” Season 23 titled “Now and Then,” Vera makes a return to NCIS headquarters amidst an investigation involving an escaped convict linked to an old case. Observing the dynamic between Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) and Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), she cheekily asks, “Who are they? The new Tony and Ziva?”—a nod to a vibe fans have long noticed.

“NCIS” aficionados are no strangers to the tumultuous relationship between Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David. The duo even landed their own spin-off, reviewed by Looper on Paramount+ as “NCIS: Tony & Ziva.” Vera’s quip cleverly alludes to this iconic pairing, hinting at a potential romantic future for Nick and Jessica. Recent episodes have certainly been steering them closer, igniting noticeable chemistry between the two. However, the question remains: Would their union benefit the show?

The potential romance between Jessica Knight and Nick Torres has sparked debate among “NCIS” fans, who are divided over the apparent chemistry. Complicating matters is Nick’s past relationship with Jessica’s sister, Robin (Lilan Bowden), adding a layer of awkwardness. Some viewers, like u/No_Calligrapher2005 on Reddit, express concerns about Jessica’s portrayal, particularly after her past involvement with Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) was confirmed as non-romantic in Season 22.

Should Jessica Knight and Nick Torres get together? That’s the question some “NCIS” fans have begun to ask as they pick up on the chemistry between the two of them — and the results have been mixed, to say the least. The fact that Nick dated Jessica’s sister Robin (Lilan Bowden) obviously makes the whole situation kind of awkward, but one of the main sticking points for viewers is that it’s not what they want for Jessica as a character. “Not cool to make Jess the pass around girl in the office if they are headed that way?” remarked u/No_Calligrapher2005. She was, of course, with Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) for a little while, though “NCIS” Season 22 gave fans an update on Jessica and Jimmy’s relationship, confirming that it’s no longer romantic.

The door is seemingly wide open for Jessica and Nick to couple up, but some fans feel that it’s too soon. As u/10robins pointed out on Reddit, the most successful “NCIS” couples have taken their time to get together. “The reason a lot of people loved the Ziva/Tony and Kensi/Deeks stories was that they were a slow burn. We got to see WHY and HOW they fell in love. With these current stories, there’s none of that.” Are Nick and Jessica truly meant to be? Some fans are behind the idea, but the writers will have to come up with something that feels more natural if they want to get the full fandom on board.