"The Sound and the Fury" hit us with major emotional beats as NCIS tackled a deadly blackmail case and finally addressed the simmering tension between Torres and Knight. This Halloween-themed episode certainly had its share of spooky surprises, both literal and metaphorical!
TL;DR: Quick Bites from "The Sound and the Fury"
- Torres and Knight finally confront their complicated feelings, ultimately defining their bond as a strong, valued partnership rather than a romantic one (for now!).
- The team races against the clock to expose a bar owner and an Albanian gangster behind a deadly blackmail ring that uses a terrifying, mind-scrambling sound weapon.
- Knight lands an exciting career opportunity to train with NCIS Elite, while some team members continue to hide critical information from Parker about his family's mysterious past.
Unraveling the Mystery: Blackmail, Murder, and a Sinister Sound Weapon
Right off the bat, "The Sound and the Fury" threw us into a truly bizarre and gruesome investigation. The episode kicked off with the discovery of Petty Officer Third Class Steven Keogh's dead body, found with blood and brain matter horrifically oozing from his nose and ears. Seriously, "ew" is an understatement! These strange injuries initially had the team (and us, if we're honest) wondering if demonic possession was at play, perfectly setting the stage for a Halloween-themed episode.
As the NCIS crew dug deeper, the case led them right into the path of Special Agent Sawyer, a night-shift agent who seems to rub Torres the wrong way every single time. It turns out, Sawyer was working a parallel blackmail investigation, which quickly connected to Keogh's mysterious death. The team soon uncovered a sophisticated blackmail ring targeting sailors, forcing them to steal a dangerous device.
The investigation ultimately exposed the real culprits: Hairy Dave, a seemingly unassuming bar owner who was actually the mastermind, and Albanian gangster Arben. They used Olga, a woman they paid to sleep with their victims and take incriminating photos, to fuel their schemes. The blackmail wasn't just about money; it was about coercion. Keogh, for example, was manipulated into stealing a device from his base.
What was this dangerous device? A Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), essentially a high-tech sound weapon capable of firing off sound waves that can mess with a victim's brain, inflicting horrifying fears and even causing severe brain trauma, leading to those gruesome nose and ear bleedouts. Hairy Dave wasn't afraid to use it, either. He brutally dispatched Keogh, then turned it on Arben to keep all the blackmail money for himself, and finally used it to silence Olga because she knew too much. Thankfully, the NCIS team managed to trace the weapon to Hairy Dave and get him arrested by the episode's end, taking this terrifying tech off the streets.
Torres Under Attack: A Terrifying Encounter and Deep-Seated Fears
While tracking down Olga, Torres found himself in the direct path of the LRAD. He was questioning her when Hairy Dave fired the weapon, aiming to eliminate Olga. Torres, being in close proximity, almost became the fourth fatality. Luckily, he was just far enough away to avoid a fatal blow, but he didn't escape unscathed.
The exposure to the LRAD caused him to suffer brain inflammation, leading to some incredibly erratic and aggressive behavior. We're talking headaches, blurred vision, and a seriously short fuse. At one point, Torres went full-on animalistic, jumping on the hood of Sawyer's car and threatening him to "get away from her" – meaning Jessica – even smashing the windshield in a frenzy. He genuinely thought he was seeing a monster attacking Jess, thanks to the mind-scrambling effects of the weapon.
This whole ordeal wasn't just about the physical effects; it brought Torres's underlying insecurities and feelings for Knight to the surface in a very dramatic (and dangerous!) way. His "demonic possession" was actually a manifestation of his deepest fears, and seeing Knight with Sawyer definitely triggered some strong, albeit misdirected, reactions.
The Emotional Reckoning: What's Really Going On Between Torres and Knight?
Ah, the moment we've all been waiting for! The long-standing, unspoken "Torres-and-Jessica elephant in the room" finally got some airtime. Throughout the episode, Torres was clearly not thrilled about Knight's friendly interactions with Special Agent Sawyer. Remember that informant Fernando from the season premiere? Torres wasn't a fan of him hitting on Jessica either.
Even Palmer called out Torres on his jealousy, though Torres insisted he had "zero romantic feelings for Knight." But Palmer, ever the insightful one, pointed out that professional jealousy can be just as potent. He reflected on his own past with Knight, saying, "Save the last dance for me," explaining how he felt seeing the woman he loves fighting crime with another agent, until he didn't get the last dance anymore.
The biggest confession came after Torres's LRAD-induced outburst. Jessica teased him about being jealous, which he vehemently denied. But later, in a classic elevator scene, Torres stopped the elevator and admitted he didn't like seeing her with Sawyer. This opened the door for Jessica to share her own past feelings, offering a different perspective on their bond:
"When you were dating my sister, what I felt was jealousy was actually a fear that Robin would somehow cost me... you. My valued friend and partner."
— Jessica KnightThis was a pivotal moment. Torres then emphasized, "I don't want anyone, Jess, or anything, to cost me this." He encouraged her to keep palling around with Sawyer, but added a touching caveat: "Just don't forget who really has your six. And maybe save the last dance for that guy." And, in a nod to their established rapport, they even sealed it with a pinky swear (a gesture seemingly a bit overused in this episode, but still sweet!). So, while they've clarified their bond as a deep friendship and professional partnership, many fans are probably still left wondering if a romantic spark could reignite down the line. That "last dance" comment sure leaves the door open, doesn't it?
New Opportunities and Hidden Truths: Knight's Future & Parker's Past
Beyond the high-stakes investigation and emotional breakthroughs, "The Sound and the Fury" also set up some interesting storylines. Jessica Knight had a fantastic moment when Director Vance offered her a "pretty sweet opportunity" – a chance to train with the NCIS Elite team now that it's back up and running. It turns out, Vance had initially offered the spot to Torres, who turned it down (we're still wondering why he passed on that!). This new training could be a huge step for Knight's career and shows how much her skills are valued.
Meanwhile, a darker subplot continues to simmer. Knight, Palmer, and Kasie are still keeping significant secrets from Parker regarding his family. There are major discrepancies between his mother's autopsy report and her death certificate. Plus, they discovered DNA from an unidentified person (a lipstick print, no less, and it's not Parker's ex-wife Carla's) who was drinking wine with his father just before his murder. Palmer's reasoning for holding back? "Parker doesn't need to know what we know until we're sure about what we know." This certainly sets up a major reveal for Parker later in the season, and it's going to be intense when it finally comes out!
Beyond the Investigation: Lighter Moments and Lingering Questions for NCIS
Even with all the tension and deadly sound weapons, "The Sound and the Fury" managed to sprinkle in some lighter, Halloween-appropriate touches. The initial "demonic possession" theory added a fun spooky season vibe, and we even heard about a "ghost" named Henry haunting the NCIS office. Apparently, the team actually "made friends with the ghost," which is a classic NCIS touch – finding humor and humanity in unexpected places.
This episode really showcased the show's knack for blending thrilling procedural investigations with deep character development. We saw Torres's vulnerability and his growth in confronting his feelings, even if it wasn't the romantic declaration some fans might have hoped for. Knight's career path is looking bright, and the secrets surrounding Parker's family history promise more gripping drama to come.
It leaves us wondering: Will the Torres and Knight dynamic ever shift into romance, or are they truly just "valued friends and partners"? How will Parker react when he finally learns the truth about his mother and father's deaths? And what exactly will NCIS Elite training entail for Knight? Season 23 is definitely keeping us on our toes!
Frequently Asked Questions About NCIS Season 23, Episode 3
What is the NCIS Season 23 Episode 3 title?
The third episode of NCIS Season 23 is titled "The Sound and the Fury."
When did NCIS Season 23 Episode 3 air?
"The Sound and the Fury" premiered on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 8/7c.
Where can I stream "The Sound and the Fury"?
You can stream NCIS Season 23 Episode 3, along with previous episodes, on CBS and Paramount+.
What happened to Torres in this episode?
In "The Sound and the Fury," Torres was exposed to an LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device) weapon, causing brain inflammation, headaches, blurred vision, and aggressive behavior. He ultimately recovered, but the incident also brought his jealousy regarding Knight to a head.
Sources
- TVLine.com - "NCIS Finally Addresses The Torres-And-Jessica Elephant In The Room – Are You Onboard?" (Oct. 28, 2025)
- Sportskeeda - "NCIS season 23 episode 3 recap: Who is behind the blackmail and the mysterious killings?" (Oct 29, 2025)
- TV Insider - "Is ‘NCIS’ Teasing a Knight & Torres Romance?" (Oct 28, 2025)
- CBS.com - "NCIS S23 E3 | The Sound and the Fury" (Episode Details)