The latest season of NCIS has been a whirlwind of familiar faces and fresh twists. From Tony DiNozzo stepping in as the new director to the spin-off adventures in Origins, the franchise is buzzing. But amid all the homecoming celebrations, one agent is about to face his own demons in a big way.
Next week's episode, titled "Ride or Die," puts Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) squarely in the crosshairs of his past. Earlier this season, Torres was forced to confront a killer who was using his old undercover alias, Dante Navarro, to commit terrible crimes. That case stirred up memories of the dark, morally gray world he inhabited before joining NCIS—a world where survival often meant bending the rules. Now, the question looms: is Torres the man he's become, or is Navarro still lurking beneath the surface?
In this week's exclusive sneak peek, we catch up with Torres in the middle of a high-stakes undercover gig. He's been roped into a kidnapping scenario, playing the getaway driver for a mysterious criminal named John Smith, portrayed by True Blood alum James Frain. The tension is palpable as Torres tries to fix a broken-down vehicle while the victim is kept under watch. Smith, ever the cool customer, isn't giving away any details about his boss or the plan, but he does offer Torres a glimpse of trust—asking if he has a passport. It turns out Smith has a bigger, riskier job in mind, one that would take them across the border and into far more dangerous territory.
Torres doesn't hesitate to accept, slipping back into the persona of an ambitious crook hungry for a big score. But staying in character around a man like Smith is a tightrope walk. Frain, known for his chilling turn as Franklin Mott on True Blood, brings a quiet menace to the role that keeps everyone on edge. For Torres, every word and glance could be the difference between life and death—not just for himself, but for the innocent victim in the back seat.
This episode marks Frain's return to CBS, where he previously had a memorable arc on Elementary. His presence adds a layer of unpredictability that promises to test Torres like never before. As the NCIS agent inches closer to his darker instincts, viewers will see a side of him that's been dormant for years. It's a journey that could redefine his future with the team—and maybe even open doors to other opportunities, like those CIA side gigs he's been eyeing.
Don't miss NCIS Season 24, Episode 6, airing Tuesday, November 17 on CBS. Check out the exclusive sneak peek above to get a taste of the tension. And if you're hungry for more behind-the-scenes intel, be sure to explore our coverage of Frain's casting and other rankings of iconic TV and film characters.
