NCIS Brought Back Jimmy’s Daughter, And Brian Dietzen And Elle Graper Told Us What They Enjoyed About Shooting The Episode And Want Next For The Duo

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Warning: SPOILERS for the NCIS episode “Close to Home” are ahead!

In the eleventh season of NCIS, Victoria Palmer, the child of Brian Dietzen’s character Jimmy Palmer and the late Breena Palmer, was born. Elle Graper didn’t portray her until the Season 19 episode “The Helpers,” which aired three years later. Tonight, Graper reappeared as Victoria for the “Close to Home” episode. Before its scheduled airing in 2025, I had the opportunity to interview both Dietzen and Graper for TopMob about their favorite aspects of filming this Season 22 episode and what they’d like to see Jimmy and Victoria do together in future episodes.

Brian Dietzen And Elle Graper’s Experiences On “Close To Home”

As a movie reviewer, I’d rephrase it like this: “In ‘Close to Home,’ the tension wasn’t as palpable as when Victoria narrowly escaped death by biotoxin back in Season 19. However, it was far from dull. The episode began with 14-year-old Victoria handing over $35,000 to Nick Torres, triggering a case involving a $5 million heist that occurred 15 years prior and remained unsolved. What truly stood out, though, was the chance it gave us to delve deeper into Jimmy Palmer’s role as a father. Actor Brian Dietzen expressed his delight in this opportunity, sharing with me personally that he greatly appreciates these chances to explore Jimmy’s fatherhood.

I’m really fond of the heartwarming bond Jimmy shares with his daughter that was delved into in this episode, and I must say, the ending was fantastic. It struck just the right chord without being overly sentimental. Honestly, I truly enjoyed it. Additionally, collaborating with my longtime friend Erinn Hayes, who portrayed Wendy Hill, was a delight. I’ve known her since I was around 18, and having her join our set was wonderful. We’ve seen her in numerous other projects, so I was thrilled when she agreed to be a part of this. Overall, it was a fantastic experience!

The team’s probe delved into the enigma surrounding missing funds and the demise of Carson Marcone, an HVAC repairman with a fondness for the infamous bank robber called the Saratoga Specter. This line of inquiry eventually uncovered that Carson’s killer resided within Jimmy and Victoria’s Briarwood neighborhood. As a result, they arranged for Jimmy to host a gathering, enabling him to covertly gather DNA samples from six potential suspects through the sangria he prepared. It was during this event that he encountered Wendy Hill, the new resident of Briarwood, played by Erinn Hayes in the story.

Regarding Elle Baker, one of her standout moments in “Close to Home” (now available for streaming via Paramount+) was her on-screen collaboration with Katrina Law, recognized as Jessica Knight on NCIS. In her own words:

Among all moments, what stood out most was working on the intense scene with Jess [Knight]. Previously, I was there, and the experience was fantastic, yet I didn’t get many chances to collaborate directly with her. This time around, it was truly gratifying because she’s an exceptional actor.

In the investigation, Wendy was cleared as a suspect, but unfortunately, her secret rendezvous with Jimmy was exposed when Jessica, the ex-girlfriend, along with the rest of the field team, burst into their private moment. It later emerged that Wendy’s late father was the Saratoga Strangler, and he had stashed the money in a house he bought under his name for her, which she had only recently moved into. Carson discovered the hidden money and began stealing it bit by bit, but Rhonda, who oversaw security at Briarwood, found out about this and ended up killing Carson. However, she didn’t manage to locate the hidden stash before his death.

What Brian Dietzen And Elle Baker Want For Jimmy And Victoria Next

In “Close to Home,” Jimmy and Victoria faced some strife as Victoria discovered money while socializing with friends instead of studying at the library for the science fair, which she had abandoned. However, by the episode’s end, they reconciled, with Victoria playing a key role in capturing Rhonda. Now that this event is over, one might wonder what Jimmy and Victoria will encounter next on NCIS. Brian Dietzen humorously suggested they take a break, perhaps going on a vacation for a relaxing “spa day” to rejuvenate themselves, as he put it, with some “skin treatment.

This episode offers a fascinating glimpse into Jimmy’s personal life, and it’s always a delight to catch up with Victoria too. I hope these character-focused scenes continue, as they give us insights into the lives of characters that viewers have grown attached to over time. They care about how Victoria is doing and what’s happening with McGee’s twins. These elements make the show appealing because people are invested in the lives of the characters. While I understand that the show often revolves around events, I believe it’s equally important to delve deeper into the characters’ lives, as Victoria might soon start visiting NCIS on her own.

dietzen’s comment about the vacation might have been a joke, but Elle Graper quickly responded by expressing her enthusiasm for the idea. At the minimum, she hopes to witness Jimmy and Victoria spending time together, as it appears to be safe or risk-free. To put it in her own words: “I’m all for this vacation plan, I just want to see Jimmy and Victoria getting along.

100% adore the upcoming vacation. These recent events have been quite challenging, leading to considerable distress for both characters. A brief respite from such high-stress scenarios would be delightful to witness their personalities outside of life-threatening situations.

As a die-hard NCIS fan, I can’t help but ponder when we might witness Elle Graper embody Victoria once more. Whenever that moment arrives, I truly hope that both her and Brian Dietzen’s desires are fulfilled. The familial bonds within the NCIS universe are integral, and it’s always refreshing to catch up on our main characters’ personal lives without the constant presence of impending perils (and I wholeheartedly concur with his sentiments regarding a peek at McGee’s twins). Until that day comes, new episodes of NCIS grace our screens every Monday at 9 pm ET on CBS. Just last month, the series was renewed for an impressive 23rd season!

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2025-03-04 07:10