CBS has just released a new trailer for the highly-anticipated Season 23 premiere of NCIS, and it’s clear the long-running procedural is returning with a vengeance. The season’s first episodes will focus heavily on Special Agent Alden Parker’s personal quest for revenge following the shocking murder of his father in the Season 22 finale. The new footage confirms that this isn’t just a case of the week; it’s a deep dive into Parker’s past and a storyline that will test the loyalty of the entire team. Fans can expect a two-part, emotionally charged premiere that promises to be one of the most intense in the show’s history.
The Hunt for Carla Marino
The Season 22 finale left viewers on a cliffhanger that hit Parker hard. His long-time nemesis, mob boss Carla Marino, seemingly murdered his father, Roman, right in Parker’s own home. The new trailer picks up right where we left off, showing Parker consumed by grief and a burning desire for revenge.
The synopsis for the premiere, titled “Prodigal Son, Part 1,” states that Parker will go to “extreme lengths to hunt down the woman he holds responsible.” This is a significant shift for the character, who has typically been more by-the-book than his predecessor, Gibbs. The trailer hints that this personal vendetta will push Parker to the edge, potentially jeopardizing his own career and putting the rest of the team in a dangerous position. Executive producer Steven D. Binder has revealed that Parker will “revert back to the Parker that we alluded to in his teen years,” a troubled youth who was often in trouble with the law. This deeper look into his backstory, complete with flashbacks to 1977, will add a new layer to the character and explain his “atypical” behavior.
The Team’s Loyalty is Tested
A key theme of the Season 23 premiere appears to be the team’s response to Parker’s actions. The trailer shows the NCIS team—McGee, Torres, and Knight—working the crime scene of Roman’s murder, suggesting they are fully invested in the case. However, the emotional stakes are incredibly high. Director Vance is shown visiting Parker in what appears to be a jail cell, stating that he gave Parker “cover” and “space,” implying that Parker’s actions have already crossed a line. This is a dramatic departure from the “wink, wink, nudge, nudge” relationship Vance had with Gibbs. Binder has confirmed there will be “serious conflict” between Vance and Parker, a conflict that will have a lasting impact beyond this storyline.
The rest of the team will also have to make difficult choices. They are specifically told to “make sure he doesn’t go anywhere and do anything,” yet the trailer suggests they’ll be working alongside him in his pursuit of Marino. This dynamic puts them in a tough spot, forcing them to balance their duties as agents with their loyalty to their friend and leader. This theme of personal versus professional loyalty is a hallmark of NCIS, and it’s being explored in a fresh way with Parker at the helm.
Other Storylines and What to Expect
While the two-part premiere is all about Parker, the trailer and recent interviews with the show’s producers hint at other compelling storylines for the season.
The Return of Family
One major development is the introduction of a new character: Parker’s sister, Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker, played by Nancy Travis. Her arrival following their father’s death is set to add new family dynamics and emotional complexity to Parker’s arc. The trailer offers a glimpse into her commanding presence and her role in the unfolding events.
The Jimmy Palmer Dilemma
Dr. Jimmy Palmer, the beloved Medical Examiner, also has his own set of problems. In the Season 22 finale, he discovered a mysterious error on Parker’s mother’s original death certificate. The trailer suggests this is not a throwaway detail, and Jimmy will have to decide when and how to tell Parker what he found. This will undoubtedly complicate Parker’s already emotional state and add another layer to the revenge-fueled plot.
A New Era of Romance?
For fans of the “Tiva” and “Bishop” eras, the show has often been light on romantic subplots. However, producers have hinted that Season 23 will put romance “front and center.” The trailer touches on the complex relationship between Jimmy Palmer and Jessica Knight, suggesting their “it’s complicated” status will become even more so. Additionally, Torres is set to get back into the dating scene in a way that “will cause a lot of problems for everybody.” It seems the post-Gibbs era is ready to explore more personal connections than ever before.
The “NCIS on Fire” Theme
Executive producer Steven D. Binder has described Season 23’s overall theme as “NCIS on fire.” He explains that “at various points throughout the season, they’re all going to have their explosive moments.” This suggests that while the premiere focuses on Parker, other characters like Torres, Knight, and Kasie will get their own intense, personal story arcs as the season progresses. The trailer ends on an ominous note, showing one of the team members in a room filled with explosives, a visual metaphor for the show’s new direction.
This season promises to be a powerful, character-driven journey that honors the show’s past while pushing its characters in new, compelling directions. The revenge-fueled plot, family tensions, and moral dilemmas all signal a return to the personal, high-stakes storytelling that has kept NCIS on the air for over two decades. The Season 23 premiere airs on Tuesday, October 14, at 8/7c on CBS. Don’t miss it.
