When a long-running series like NCIS revisits one of its most beloved relationships, it doesn’t just create television — it creates an event. And that’s exactly what happened when Ellie Bishop returned in the NCIS Season 23 midseason premiere, delivering a farewell scene with Nick Torres that has left UK and US audiences dissecting every glance, every word, and that final kiss.

But was it truly goodbye?

In a revealing interview, Emily Wickersham and Wilmer Valderrama opened up about the emotional weight behind Bishop and Torres’ reunion — and why this farewell felt very different from the last one.

Let’s unpack everything that happened in “Her”, what the actors revealed, and what it could mean for the future of NCIS.

What Happened in NCIS Season 23 Episode ‘Her’? Full Breakdown of Bishop’s Return

The pivotal episode, titled “Her,” aired on March 3, 2026, as the NCIS Season 23 midseason premiere on NCIS.

After nearly five years away, Ellie Bishop made her dramatic return — but not under ideal circumstances.

She’s not back as the bright, analytical NSA agent fans remember. Instead, Bishop is deep undercover, on the run, and trying to prove her innocence after being implicated in leaking classified information — an act that made her appear to be a wanted cyber-terrorist.

Her mission? Clear her name.

Her unexpected ally? Nick Torres.

Their reunion isn’t just procedural — it’s deeply personal.

Bishop & Torres Romance Confirmed: The Flashback That Changed Everything

For years, fans speculated about unresolved romantic tension between Bishop and Torres. “Her” didn’t just hint at it — it confirmed it.

Through a flashback sequence, the episode revealed that Bishop and Torres had shared a romantic encounter in the past — something only subtly implied before her original departure.

For longtime viewers in both the US and UK, this confirmation recontextualized seasons of partnership, lingering stares, and emotional hesitation.

Suddenly, their goodbye wasn’t just about careers.

It was about love — or at least, what could have been.

The Final Scene: Why Torres Didn’t Leave NCIS to Be With Bishop

In one of the episode’s most talked-about moments, Bishop asks Torres to leave NCIS and join her as she continues her dangerous path forward.

It’s not a casual suggestion.

It’s a life-changing invitation.

Torres considers it seriously. The weight of the decision is visible — and according to Wilmer Valderrama, that hesitation was intentional.

Ultimately, Torres decides his place is still with the team.

They share a kiss.

And then — they part ways.

But this time, it doesn’t feel abrupt. It feels… open.

Emily Wickersham Explains Why This Goodbye Was Different

In the post-episode interview, Emily Wickersham made it clear: this farewell gave Bishop something she didn’t have before — closure.

When Bishop exited years ago, the goodbye felt sudden and incomplete. This return allowed her to say farewell not only to Torres, but to the wider team as well.

Wickersham described the ending as “open-ended,” emphasizing that their paths could cross again.

Importantly, she explained that Bishop is moving in a different professional direction now — one that doesn’t necessarily involve returning to NCIS in her previous role.

For fans, that means:

• She’s not “coming back” permanently.
  
• But she’s not gone forever either.

Wilmer Valderrama on Torres’ Decision: ‘He Made the Right Choice’

Wilmer Valderrama revealed that Torres truly contemplated leaving.

According to him, Bishop needed to ask that question — and Torres needed to answer it.

Valderrama believes Torres made the right decision by staying at NCIS. His identity, his loyalty, and his growth are tied to the team.

But the actor also acknowledged something crucial: the scene leaves room for interpretation.

That kiss wasn’t just nostalgia.

It was possibility.

He described the moment as “full circle” — giving Torres emotional resolution after years of unresolved tension.

Official Episode Details – NCIS Season 23 Midseason Premiere

Detail	Information
Show	NCIS
Episode Title	“Her”
Season	23
Air Date	March 3, 2026
Network	CBS
Streaming	Paramount+
Key Returning Character	Ellie Bishop
Actor	Emily Wickersham
Co-Star	Wilmer Valderrama
Central Plot	Bishop proving innocence while undercover

Why This NCIS Episode Resonated With UK and US Audiences

NCIS has always balanced action with emotional storytelling. But “Her” leaned heavily into character-driven drama — something that particularly resonates with international audiences who’ve followed these arcs for over a decade.

In the US, Bishop and Torres were a slow-burn pairing that never quite ignited.

In the UK, where the series has a strong streaming following, fans often view their storyline as one of the show’s most emotionally restrained romances.

This episode delivered what many viewers had been waiting for:

• Confirmation of past romance
  
• A meaningful conversation
  
• A real choice
  
• And a goodbye that felt earned
  

It didn’t undo history.

It honored it.

Is This Really the End for Bishop on NCIS?

Here’s what we know based strictly on verified details:

• Bishop is pursuing a different professional path.
  
• She is not returning to NCIS in her former capacity.
  
• The ending was intentionally left open.
  
• Both actors acknowledge future possibilities.
  

There is no official confirmation of a permanent return.

But the door?

Wide open.

Where to Watch NCIS Season 23 in the US and UK

New episodes of NCIS air Tuesdays at 8 PM ET/PT on CBS in the United States.

They stream the next day on Paramount+.

UK viewers can access episodes via regional streaming platforms that carry CBS content, typically shortly after US broadcast.

What This Means for Torres Moving Forward

With Bishop gone again, Torres’ character enters a new chapter.

He chose stability over uncertainty.

Duty over desire.

But that doesn’t erase what they shared.

If anything, it deepens his emotional arc.

Wilmer Valderrama’s portrayal in “Her” suggests a more introspective Torres — one who understands what he lost, but stands firm in who he’s become.

Final Thoughts: Closure, Possibility, and the Power of an Open-Ended Goodbye

Television rarely handles character exits perfectly — especially in long-running franchises.

But NCIS Season 23’s “Her” achieved something rare.

It corrected an abrupt past goodbye.

It confirmed long-suspected feelings.

More importantly, it gave fans romance without rewriting history.

And it left just enough uncertainty to keep audiences talking.

For viewers across the US and UK, Bishop and Torres’ latest goodbye wasn’t just emotional — it was satisfying.

Not because it was definitive.

But because it felt real.

And in the world of NCIS, that may be the most powerful ending of all.