5 reasons we love that Nick Torres remains on NCIS Season 16

Wilmer Valderrama is officially sticking around for NCIS Season 16. That means Nick Torres is going nowhere and that’s certainly a good thing.

NCIS Season 16 isn’t going to be the same without Abby. She has been a constant throughout the years and will certainly be missed. Personally, I’m also going to miss Reeves deeply. While we only saw him for two years as a series regular and not in all episodes, he was one of those characters with a lot of heart and plenty of backstory to delve into. With the end of the season brought the worry that other characters wouldn’t return.

One of those was Nick Torres, played by Wilmer Valderrama. With Valderrama’s contract up for renewal, there was always a chance we’d not see Nick return. However, the actor has now signed on for another two years, meaning that if NCIS is renewed for a 17th season, he is going to be around.

This is great news. Here are five reasons having Nick Torres around for another two years if going to be so awesome.

5. He adds the humor Tony DiNozzo had

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When Michael Weatherly left, there was the fear that we’d love the humor and lightheartedness in the series. However, Torres quickly helped to fill the void. Sure, he’s not a direct replacement, but he was never supposed to be. Torres has cemented himself as his own character with his own sense of humor.

He’s just as cocky and adventurous, but can sometimes be all talk. Yet, when it really comes down to it, he’s the perfect gentleman and a good agent.

What’s going to be missing is someone for Torres to joke with. Torres and Reeves always shared the relationship DiNozzo and McGee had. Who will become the other half in Torres’ duo?

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4. We continue with diversity

There isn’t much in the way of diversity in NCIS. This is slowly growing, starting with the introduction of Vance, then Reeves, Torres, and now Casey. With the loss of Reeves, there was the chance that we’d lose the diversity, especially if Torres disappeared as well.

Keeping Valderrama around means that there is still going to be some diversity. The series still has a long way to go, but it’s better than losing another character of different ethnicity in the series!

3. We don’t need to worry about him dying

With Valderrama in a contract for another two years, there’s little need to worry about Nick Torres dying. We won’t need to say a shock goodbye to another character in the way that we did this season with Reeves.

Of course, things can change behind the scenes. Other decisions can be made and buy-outs can happen, but for now it’s all good. We don’t need to worry about a tearful goodbye where Torres is concerned.

2. More connections with the victims and witnesses

In the two seasons Valderrama has been in, there have been times when he’s been the only one to connect with certain characters. He’s understood someone’s need to finally just be free from illness, how people have coped with blindness, and encouraged witnesses and victims to open up. He has a heart and this has helped cases get solved quickly.

This also shows us that a tough guy can still be open and honest. He can love and deal with the greif when he loses that love. We see a guy who isn’t afraid to be himself and this encourages others to be the same. There’s going to be more of this coming in NCIS Season 16.

One of the good things about Torres being around for these connections is for Bishop. She’s going to need to talk to someone about Reeves and who better than Torres? This leads me onto the last reason I love that Nick Torres is confirmed for NCIS Season 16.

1. More Torres and Bishop

While Tony and Ziva will never be replaced, Torres and Bishop is starting to fill the gap that they left. This past season saw the two getting closer and opened the door for something to happen. It’s clear that they both have feelings for each other but don’t want to move forward for various reasons–or don’t want to admit that they have feelings for each other.

The two are also great going undercover, so we’ll get more of that together. Bishop really came out of her shell when she went undercover. This was a chance to see more of the high-class agent that she can be, rather than the sometimes mousy girl in the office. Torres brings out a spark and it’s going to be fun to see more of that in the upcoming season.

Next: 15 reasons we'll always love Abby Sciuto on NCIS

Do you love that Torres is sticking around for NCIS Season 16? What’s so great about the two-year contract? Share in the comments below.

NCIS Season 16 returns in the fall on Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS.