The long-anticipated crossover between NCIS and NCIS: Hawai’i finally hit our screens—and wow, did it deliver! With mystery, danger, and a tangled web of relationships, this two-part event had fans on the edge of their seats. In case you missed a beat—or want a deep dive into everything that went down—here’s your full recap, complete with relationship reveals, character insights, and, yes, the answer to the burning question: Who is the Raven?
The Epic NCIS-Hawai’i Crossover Begins
When Two Worlds Collide
The crossover begins with the teams from NCIS D.C. and NCIS: Hawai’i working together after discovering a common enemy. The high-stakes investigation pulls Gibbs’ former team and Jane Tennant’s crew into one explosive mission.
What’s At Stake?
A terrorist threat known only as “The Raven” has surfaced—targeting multiple naval officers with deadly biochemical attacks. The Raven’s M.O.? Cunning manipulation and twisted revenge tactics.
The Raven Mystery Unfolds
First Clues Point in Every Direction
The investigation starts off scattered. There’s little to go on. Each team member follows threads that lead to dead ends, misdirection, and personal danger.
Parker’s Gut Instincts
Agent Alden Parker takes charge on the D.C. side, using his intuition to connect small clues others missed. His character gets a huge moment of growth as he puts himself at risk to save others.
Tennant’s Tactical Brilliance
Meanwhile, Jane Tennant keeps things sharp and focused on the Hawai’i front. Her decision-making under pressure proves crucial to identifying patterns in the Raven’s moves.
Who Is the Raven?
The Shocking Reveal
So, who is the Raven? It turns out the villain isn’t some foreign enemy—it’s a former Navy intelligence officer who felt betrayed by the very system they served. Their identity had been teased for episodes, but this crossover confirmed suspicions and blew them wide open.
Motivations That Make Your Skin Crawl
The Raven’s actions were driven by a twisted sense of justice. They believed their retaliations were justified, making them even more dangerous. Their psychological manipulation made it hard to trust anyone.
Relationship Updates That Melted (or Broke) Hearts
Torres and Tennant – Is There a Spark?
Fans picked up on the chemistry between Nick Torres and Jane Tennant. Though subtle, moments between them hinted at mutual respect—and maybe more.
Lucy and Kate – Back on Track?
One of the most beloved couples in NCIS: Hawai’i, Lucy Tara and Kate Whistler, had their share of ups and downs. This crossover showed them taking real steps forward—finally getting some emotional clarity.
Jimmy Palmer’s Soft Spot
Dr. Jimmy Palmer also had a few heartwarming moments, showcasing his often-overlooked emotional intelligence. There’s a strong suggestion that he’s ready to open his heart again.
Best Action Moments
Explosions, Car Chases & Close Calls
This crossover didn’t shy away from intense action. From rooftop chases in D.C. to explosive takedowns on the Hawaiian coastline, fans got it all.
Tactical Teamwork
One standout sequence had Tennant and Torres breaching a bunker while McGee and Jesse ran point remotely—true inter-agency synergy!
NCIS and NCIS: Hawai’i kick off their seasons with a crossover that sees both teams working together to take down the Raven, the Big Bad who nearly killed Palmer (Brian Dietzen) and Kasie (Diona Reasonover) and framed Parker (Gary Cole) for murder. But who is the Raven? And is the threat over by the end of the event? Plus, is there a new romance across the two shows? Read on for the highlights.
Is Vivian Working for/the Raven?
No. While Parker’s ex-wife Vivian (Teri Polo) may have been acting suspiciously at the end of the Season 19 premiere, it turns out that text was not to the Raven but to Sweeney (Erik Passoja), pretending she’d deliver him Parker but instead sending him on a wild goose chase. Instead, she brings in Fornell (Joe Spano) to help (and piss off Sweeney). So why didn’t she tell Parker? Back in the day, if there was even the hint of a betrayal from someone, it would set him off, she recalls.
Who Is the Raven?
While giving Sweeney the run-around, the team continues to work the Raven case and figures out why Parker has been targeted: to ruin his reputation. Who’s benefiting? Criminals using Parker’s fugitive status to try to get out of prison. Among them: computer hacker Herman Maxwell (Michael Weston). The off-shore account in Parker’s name was originally created in Moscow — and Maxwell worked for a Russian gangster whose name in Russian is Raven and got off on creating chaos using nerve gases. It sounds like he’s their guy and is targeting Parker to get to Maxwell.
The hacker seems terrified that the Raven will put him back to work, and the team quickly realizes they can use that to their advantage: Maxwell will be the bait, when they move him to a safe house. But then things go very wrong. The guy they thought was the Raven has been dead for years. Comms fail. Sweeney shows up in the middle of everything. Two vans with shooters box them in. Maxwell is grabbed. Vivian is shot. And Maxwell smiles at Parker before he’s driven away.v
