Despite its festive backdrop, NCIS Season 23, Episode 9 does not really feel like a Christmas episode. It might have a subplot about stolen toys and there are plenty of decorations, but it’s not until late that the hour has any kind of holiday vibe. Some fans might not mind (especially since the episode finally answers some questions), while others might miss the usual holiday-themed experience.
The real meat of the story is finally finishing up the mysteries around Parker’s mother and the woman who was with his father before Roman’s murder. “Heaven and Nature” spells everything out for fans: Lily was Parker’s childhood friend, whose mother Judy was abused by her husband, Illinois state trooper Lester Burm. Parker’s mother Eleanor tried to help Judy and Lily escape Lester, but Lester ran the ladies’ vehicle off the road. Judy was killed and Eleanor escaped—only to be murdered when Lester tracked her and Lily down in a hotel in Toledo. Parker’s mom didn’t abandon her family; she was saving what was left of another one. A now much-older Lily subsequently visited Roman, who had intended to tell Parker the truth but died first.
It’s a pretty complicated story, but by the end of the hour, viewers have all of their questions answered. That ends the plotlines that stretched out over multiple seasons, and gives the show a clean slate—which is good, because writer Scott Williams ends things on another surprise cameo. Former series regular Emily Wickersham returns as Ellie Bishop, who is watching Eleanor Parker’s memorial service, while Jessica Knight learns that Bishop is now on NCIS ELITE’s wanted list. Clearly, Bishop is back from the CIA mission that led her to resign in Season 18.
This will definitely have viewers buzzing over the winter hiatus. Bishop’s exit was one of the more convoluted farewell storylines, and of course her romantic tension with Nick Torres never culminated in anything. So there’s a lot to resolve (too bad Jamie Bamber has moved on to other roles like Beyond Paradise, or this would also be a clever way to bring his character back). On the other hand, what makes it exciting is also what makes it jarring: it absolutely doesn’t fit with the rest of the episode.
For decades, NCIS has mastered a familiar rhythm. Big cases. Emotional beats. And yes—those cozy, sentimental holiday episodes that sneak up right before winter break. So when fans heard that NCIS Season 23’s fall finale was airing during the holiday window, expectations were sky-high for another Christmas classic.
Instead of leaning into festive nostalgia, NCIS Season 23 delivers a bold narrative pivot, flipping the holiday formula on its head with one major twist that changes everything. Let’s unpack what makes this episode different, why the creative choice matters, and how it could redefine the future of the franchise.
Why Fans Expected a Christmas Episode in NCIS Season 23
For longtime viewers, the assumption made perfect sense.
A Longstanding NCIS Holiday Tradition
NCIS has a rich history of holiday-themed episodes that balance procedural tension with emotional warmth. Think:
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Quiet moments with Gibbs remembering fallen comrades
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Team dinners that feel like found-family reunions
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Subtle Christmas décor tucked into autopsy rooms and bullpen desks
These episodes usually slow things down, offering reflection instead of relentless action.
Perfect Timing for a Festive Finale
With the fall finale landing close to December, the setup screamed “holiday special.” CBS has leaned into that timing before, so fans naturally assumed Season 23 would follow suit.
But NCIS had other plans.
The Big Reveal: Why This Isn’t a True Christmas Episode
Here’s the twist that caught everyone off guard.
Christmas Exists — But It’s Not the Point
Yes, the episode technically takes place during the holiday season. Decorations appear. Christmas is mentioned. But instead of driving the story, the holiday backdrop is deliberately pushed to the margins.
This episode isn’t about comfort.
It’s about consequences.
Tone Over Tradition
Rather than warmth and nostalgia, the fall finale leans into:
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Moral ambiguity
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Lingering trauma
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A case that refuses neat resolution
The holiday setting becomes ironic—a sharp contrast to the darkness unfolding onscreen.
The One Major Twist That Changes Everything
So what’s the twist everyone’s talking about?
A Case That Hits Too Close to Home
Without veering into spoiler territory, the finale centers on a case that directly challenges the team’s core beliefs. It’s not just another investigation—it’s personal, layered, and unsettling.
This isn’t about stopping a villain.
It’s about questioning whether justice always looks the way we expect.
Emotional Fallout Over Festive Closure
Instead of ending with smiles and soft music, the episode closes with unresolved tension. Relationships shift. Trust is tested. And the team walks away changed.
That’s the twist:
NCIS chooses emotional disruption over holiday comfort.
Why This Creative Choice Matters for NCIS
This wasn’t a random decision—it was a calculated one.
NCIS Is Evolving With Its Audience
After 23 seasons, NCIS understands that viewers want more than tradition. They want depth, realism, and stories that linger after the credits roll.
By ditching the typical Christmas structure, the show proves it’s not afraid to evolve.
Breaking the Formula to Stay Fresh
Holiday episodes can become predictable. NCIS avoids that trap here, using expectation as a storytelling weapon.
You think you know where the episode is going—until you don’t.
Character Arcs Take Center Stage
One of the strongest elements of the Season 23 fall finale is how it prioritizes character over spectacle.
Team Dynamics Under Pressure
The case forces characters into uncomfortable positions, revealing fractures that have been quietly forming all season.
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Loyalty is questioned
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Authority is challenged
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Emotional walls begin to crack
Subtle Performances, Bigger Impact
Instead of big speeches, the episode relies on:
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Lingering looks
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Half-finished conversations
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Silence that says more than dialogue
It’s restrained—and powerful.
How the Episode Redefines a “Holiday Episode”
This is where NCIS truly breaks new ground.
Holiday Episodes Don’t Have to Be Soft
NCIS Season 23 argues that holiday episodes can still be:
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Intense
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Uncomfortable
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Morally complex
Christmas becomes a backdrop, not a shield.
A Mirror to Real Life
Let’s be honest—holidays aren’t happy for everyone. This episode reflects that truth, showing how unresolved pain doesn’t pause for December 25th.
And that honesty resonates.
Fan Reactions: Divided, Passionate, and Loud
As expected, the response was intense.
Some Fans Wanted Tradition
A portion of the audience missed:
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The sentimental tone
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The sense of closure
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The familiar holiday warmth
For them, the episode felt “too heavy” for the season.
Others Loved the Boldness
But many fans praised the finale for:
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Taking risks
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Trusting the audience
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Delivering emotional authenticity
Social media buzzed with debates—and that’s never a bad thing.
How This Sets Up the Second Half of Season 23
This finale wasn’t just a standalone statement—it was a launchpad.
Unresolved Threads Create Momentum
Instead of wrapping things up, the episode deliberately leaves questions hanging, ensuring viewers return after the break.
Higher Emotional Stakes Going Forward
The consequences of the fall finale will ripple through future episodes, raising the emotional bar for what comes next.
Why This Episode Feels Like a Turning Point
After 23 seasons, it’s rare for NCIS to surprise its audience.
But this episode does exactly that.
Confidence in Long-Form Storytelling
The show trusts viewers to sit with discomfort and ambiguity—a sign of creative confidence.
A Franchise That Refuses to Coast
NCIS could have delivered another safe holiday episode. Instead, it chose reinvention.
And that choice matters.
What This Means for Future NCIS Holiday Episodes
Don’t be surprised if this becomes the new normal.
Less Tinsel, More Truth
Future holiday episodes may focus less on aesthetics and more on emotional honesty.
A Broader Storytelling Palette
By breaking tradition, NCIS gives itself permission to experiment—and that’s exciting.
Final Thoughts: Not a Christmas Episode, But a Memorable One
The NCIS Season 23 fall finale may not deliver Christmas cheer, but it delivers something far more lasting: impact.
By rejecting the expected and embracing emotional complexity, the show proves it still has stories worth telling—and risks worth taking.
And honestly?
That’s the best gift NCIS could give its fans.
FAQs
1. Is the NCIS Season 23 fall finale a Christmas episode?
Not in the traditional sense. While it’s set during the holiday season, Christmas is not the central theme of the episode.
2. What is the major twist in the NCIS Season 23 fall finale?
The episode focuses on emotional and moral consequences rather than festive resolution, ending on an intentionally unresolved note.
3. Why did NCIS avoid a traditional holiday format this season?
The creative team chose to prioritize character development and long-term storytelling over seasonal tradition.
4. Did fans like the non-Christmas approach?
Reactions were mixed, but many praised the episode’s boldness and emotional depth.
5. Will this affect future NCIS holiday episodes?
It’s very possible. The episode sets a precedent for more unconventional, character-driven holiday storytelling.
