Season 23 of NCIS is doing something fans didn’t quite expect — reaching deep into its archive to resurrect the legacy of one of the show’s most notorious villains. Though the original big bad is long gone, new episodes suggest their ideology, influence, and possible heir are very much alive.
Let’s unpack the chilling clues pointing toward a new threat that’s haunting Gibbs’ old team — a spiritual or literal successor to a villain we thought we’d buried over a decade ago.
Who Was the Villain From 14 Years Ago?
Meet Harper Dearing — NCIS Season 9’s Mastermind
If you’ve been a longtime NCIS fan, the name Harper Dearing probably brings back some bad memories. Played by Richard Schiff in Season 9, Dearing was a vengeful businessman-turned-terrorist responsible for orchestrating a series of horrific attacks on the Navy — including the bombing of NCIS headquarters that left the team physically and emotionally scarred.
He was cunning, philosophical, and fueled by personal loss, blaming the Navy for the death of his son. Ultimately, Gibbs put an end to his reign — but not without a heavy cost.
What Clues Suggest a New Villain Is Connected to Dearing?
🧠 An Ideology Reborn
Recent episodes have featured a string of attacks that echo Dearing’s tactics: precision, symbolism, and calculated psychological warfare. What’s more chilling is that the motive seems eerily familiar — punishing the Navy and its leadership for hidden injustices.
📜 Dearing’s Writings Resurface
In episode 5 of Season 23, McGee references a manifesto found at a crime scene that mirrors Dearing’s writing style. It’s philosophical, bitter, and anti-military-industrial complex — just like Dearing’s old communications.
That’s not coincidence. That’s setup.
🚨 Why Bring Back Dearing’s Legacy Now?
🧬Thematic Full Circle
NCIS has been slowly revisiting its past this season — with subtle callbacks to old characters, previous cases, and even Gibbs’ long shadow. Bringing back the ideology of a villain that nearly destroyed the team feels intentional.
It’s a way to close the loop, especially as the show eyes its long-term future and possible cast transitions.
👀 Who Could the New Villain Be?
🧑💼 Dearing’s Protégé, Child, or Admirer?
There are three possibilities here:
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A biological heir – Dearing may have had a son, daughter, or relative now seeking revenge.
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A devoted follower – Someone who studied his case and adopted his ideology.
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A new villain using his legacy – Leveraging Dearing’s name for notoriety or symbolic power.
Recent hints point toward a mysterious hacker and strategist known only as “Orion”, whose messages mimic Dearing’s rhetorical style and who has targeted similar high-level Navy operations.
🔁 Echoes of Season 9 — Repeating History
🏢 Attacks on Institutions, Not People
Dearing didn’t just want to kill — he wanted to break systems. Season 23’s villain appears to be following suit. Instead of targeting agents directly, this new enemy is dismantling trust, disrupting operations, and attacking NCIS from the inside out.
🧊Why This Twist Is So Effective
📈 It Adds Long-Term Stakes
Most NCIS villains don’t last more than a couple of episodes. But Harper Dearing? He changed the show. Bringing his influence back in a fresh way raises the stakes again and gives long-term fans something to really chew on.
💥 Could the Team Be In Serious Danger Again?
🕳️ Patterns Repeat — And It’s Not Looking Good
Dearing’s original plot cost lives and left NCIS shaken. The way Season 23 is pacing this storyline suggests that something big is coming — maybe not an explosion, but a devastating inside job or betrayal.
We’ve seen Torres, Knight, and Parker facing challenges, but this could unify the team under threat in a way that echoes the old-school NCIS emotional arcs.
🤯 Fan Theories Are Exploding Online
From Reddit to TikTok, fans are speculating:
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“Dearing had a child, and they’re back for blood.”
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“It’s not his kid — it’s someone who idolized him.”
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“What if Orion is a codename used by Dearing before his death?”
Whether they’re right or wrong, the buzz proves one thing: NCIS has its hooks in us again.
🎭 Will This Lead to a Major Character Exit?
⚠️ Rumors Are Swirling
With this storyline heating up, fans worry it could lead to a major shakeup. Could someone from the current cast fall victim to this villain’s grand plan? Or is this the storyline that brings back Ziva or McGee’s retirement arc?
🎯 What NCIS Is Doing Right With Season 23
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Leaning into its history instead of ignoring it
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Building slow-burn arcs with payoff for longtime fans
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Mixing mystery with emotional tension, not just case-of-the-week fluff
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Introducing smarter, more ideological villains, rather than cardboard cutouts
This villain arc isn’t about brute force. It’s about intellectual warfare—the kind that makes you question who’s really in control.
📝 Conclusion: The Ghost of Harper Dearing Still Haunts NCIS — And It’s Not Over Yet
Season 23 of NCIS is proving that the past can still haunt the present. By setting up a successor — literal or philosophical — to Harper Dearing, the show is returning to the psychological and emotional stakes that made it a juggernaut in its prime.
Whether it’s a protégé, relative, or just a disturbed mind carrying his torch, one thing is clear: this is personal, and the fallout could be huge.
For the first time in years, NCIS fans aren’t just watching episodes — they’re watching closely.
❓FAQs
1. Who was Harper Dearing on NCIS?
Harper Dearing was a major villain in Season 9 — a terrorist who targeted the Navy and NCIS as revenge for his son’s death. He was killed by Gibbs in the season finale.
2. Is Harper Dearing coming back in Season 23?
Not directly. But NCIS Season 23 is teasing the rise of a villain who may be inspired by, or directly connected to, Dearing.
3. Who is Orion on NCIS?
Orion is a mysterious new figure introduced in Season 23. While their true identity is unknown, their tactics and ideology mirror Harper Dearing’s.
4. Is NCIS planning another bombing or mass attack storyline?
It’s unclear, but the themes and pacing suggest a large-scale threat is building — possibly involving infrastructure sabotage or internal betrayal.
5. Will any main characters die in Season 23?
No deaths have been confirmed, but fan theories suggest this arc could lead to a major team shakeup or emotional fallout similar to Season 9.
💬 Thanks for reading! If you’re loving the twists in NCIS Season 23, share this article and let us know your theory: Is Dearing’s ghost back to finish what he started? #NCIS #HarperDearingReturns #NCISSeason23
