Jessica Knight’s perfect NCIS replacement is clear, but there’s one condition for it to happen. Amid a fairly busy NCIS Season 21, CBS opted for a quieter year-ender with “Reef Madness.” The case was straightforward, with Alden Parker and his team responding to the discovery of several bodies aboard a ship destined to become an artificial reef. It wasn’t particularly creative or thrilling, especially compared to the season’s major events, including NCIS’ 1000th episode. However, the circumstances surrounding the agents made the episode compelling.
For starters, Parker experienced a brush with death after being severely injured at the crime scene. While he was recuperating nicely by the episode’s end, the incident set the stage for the mystery of Lily in NCIS Season 22. Meanwhile, another storyline might be concluding, as Knight faced a significant decision when offered the position of REACT team’s chief training officer at Camp Pendleton. While it’s still uncertain if she will leave the Major Case Response Team (MCRT), NCIS has the perfect replacement for her.
### Jane Tennant Is NCIS’ Best Replacement for Jess Knight
Knight accepted Director Leon Vance’s offer, indicating she might be moving to the other side of the continent when NCIS Season 22 returns, leaving an open slot in Parker’s team. Instead of introducing an entirely new character, NCIS can bring over Jane Tennant from NCIS: Hawai’i, following its recent cancellation. This transition should be smoother than integrating a new character, as Tennant is already an established character with ties to the main NCIS show. It would also allow for the continuation of Tennant’s story, despite the end of NCIS: Hawai’i.
### NCIS Would Have to Demote Tennant to Join Parker’s Team (But It Might Work)
There’s a significant caveat to this proposition. To join Parker’s team, Tennant would need to be demoted to an NCIS Senior Field Agent. While this change is substantial, given her success as the Special Agent-in-Charge of the NCIS: Hawai’i Field Office, it may be the only way to continue her narrative, especially with NCIS: Hawai’i ending on a cliffhanger involving Maggie Shaw’s return with a new mystery for Tennant.
If CBS and the NCIS franchise creatives want to keep Tennant’s story alive without reviving NCIS: Hawai’i, transferring her to the main show is their best option. This move would honor her character’s development while ensuring a seamless transition for the team.
