NCIS is known for long character arcs and the show seems to have carefully set Nick Torres up for his greatest character arc yet. NCIS has been on the air for over two decades and has explored the personal and professional development of several main characters in intricate detail. Nick, played by Wilmer Valderrama, has been a Special Agent on the show since season 14, when he replaced Special Agent Tony DiNozzo, played by Michael Weatherly, and, as such, has not escaped similar scrutiny.

After so many seasons, and now with NCIS season 22 on the way, Nick’s character has grown a lot over the years. NCIS season 21 especially revealed large chunks of Nick’s background and helped to explain aspects of his character and personality. The NCIS season 21 finale opened up the possibility of several exciting storylines for its main characters. The latest season also set up the perfect storyline for Nick’s character, especially after NCIS season 22 was confirmed.

How Nick’s Family History Has Changed His Character In NCIS

Nick Has Started To Open Up To His Team

Not much was known about Nick when he first joined NCIS in season 14. Over the course of several seasons, he became a well-liked and well-rounded character, but it took time to get there. In season 19, the show reveals that Torres has been attending therapy sessions with Dr. Grace Confalone. Through his therapy sessions in season 19 and 20, Nick learns that his issues with sobriety come from the trauma he carries from his childhood and his poor relationship with his father. The therapy sessions allowed Nick to grow as a character and as a teammate.

The NCIS season 20 finale and following season 21 premiere emphasized Nick’s struggles with his childhood and his loyalty when he wrongly confessed to murder when he thought it might save his sister. The problems Nick has faced throughout his life left him emotionally unavailable to form deep relationships with his colleagues. But, over the course of several seasons, Nick’s character has opened up, and he has learned to trust his team and form valuable emotional bonds with them. These past seasons have shown his vulnerability and his potential to develop deeper storylines.

Nick’s Development Opens Him Up To Two Stronger Relationships In NCIS Season 22

Deeper Emotional Connections Are Possible For Nick

Nick’s changes in the past few seasons have set him up with the ability to form deeper emotional connections with his colleagues in season 22. One relationship to look forward to in season 22 is a deeper look at Nick’s friendship with his boss Alden Parker, played by Gary Cole. Season 21 shows the two of them becoming temporary roommates while Nick’s apartment is treated for mold. While no character is safe in NCIS, there is a lot of potential for season 22 to expand on the friendship between the two characters and show more scenes of them together.

Nick’s character development also makes him emotionally available for potential romantic relationships in season 22. While Nick has had a previous romantic relationship with his colleague Ellie Bishop, it didn’t work out due to Nick’s past and Ellie’s secrecy. But his recent development opens him up to reconnect with a past fling: Jane Tennant from NCIS: Hawaii. Their relationship has been pre-established in season 19 of NCIS, and with the cancelation of NCIS: Hawaii, Jane’s return in NCIS season 22 is all the more likely.