Introduction: A Season Full of Suspicion
NCIS Season 22 didn’t just deliver the usual dose of high-stakes investigations and character-driven drama — it ended with a bang. Or maybe more accurately, a whisper that sent shockwaves through the fandom. Tim McGee’s quiet suspicion throughout the season finally pointed a finger, and the name it landed on was LaRoche.
Was he right? Or was this just another red herring in the long list of NCIS plot twists?
Let’s dig deep and unpack what really went down.
The Stakes in Season 22
From day one, Season 22 carried an air of paranoia. With rumors of a mole surfacing again inside the agency — shades of past betrayals resurfacing — the team was walking on eggshells.
This time, though, it wasn’t some outsider causing chaos. It was someone trusted. Someone inside. And McGee felt it in his gut.
Who Is Jerome LaRoche? A Quick Recap
If you’re newer to the NCIS world or need a refresher, Jerome LaRoche was originally introduced in earlier seasons as the head of the Department of Defense’s Inspector General’s office.
Clever, cold, and calculating — he kept secrets better than most. LaRoche made his mark in the “P2P Killer” storyline back in Season 8 and left behind a trail of moral gray areas. Now, in Season 22, he returns, and suddenly everything feels… off.
McGee’s Growing Distrust – A Slow Burn
McGee has always been more than just the tech guy. Over time, he’s evolved into a sharp, emotionally intuitive investigator. And this season, his Spidey-sense was tingling.
He noticed the smallest shifts in behavior. Missing files. Conversations cut short. LaRoche’s vague answers. And most importantly, a pattern that just didn’t add up.
While others brushed it off, McGee couldn’t let it go.
Clues That Pointed to LaRoche All Along
When you rewind the season, there are signs. Subtle, but there.
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Episode 3: A security breach traced back to LaRoche’s old credentials.
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Episode 9: A suspect mysteriously released after a private meeting with LaRoche.
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Episode 14: Surveillance footage mysteriously erased—footage LaRoche had access to.
Individually, these things might be chalked up to coincidence. Together? They paint a troubling picture.
Was LaRoche Set Up? The Other Side of the Coin
But here’s where things get murky: what if LaRoche wasn’t the mole… but the fall guy?
There are breadcrumbs suggesting he’s being framed. Namely:
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He seemed genuinely shocked when McGee confronted him.
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He saved Torres during a sting gone wrong.
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His office was being monitored — and he didn’t know it.
Could the real mole be using LaRoche’s history and position against him?
What the Finale Revealed – And What It Didn’t
The Season 22 finale pulled a classic NCIS move — answering just enough to satisfy, but leaving the door wide open.
We see McGee find a hard drive labeled with LaRoche’s initials. Encrypted. Hidden. But we never see what’s on it. And we never hear LaRoche deny anything outright.
Instead, he simply says: “Sometimes protecting your country means doing things no one will ever understand.”
Cryptic? Absolutely. Incriminating? Possibly. But not definitive.
The Final Scene: A Bombshell or a Bluff?
The screen fades to black just as McGee turns to Vance and says, “He’s not who he says he is.”
Boom. Cut to credits.
Is this confirmation? A misdirection? Or a setup for something much deeper?
The writers clearly want us talking — and it’s working.
The Writers’ Long Game – Playing with Our Heads
NCIS showrunners are masters of the long game. LaRoche’s reintroduction didn’t happen randomly. This twist has likely been in the works for multiple seasons.
And they’ve layered the storytelling in a way that makes us doubt everyone — even McGee.
Was McGee right because he followed the facts? Or did the writers manipulate our trust in his instincts?
Either way, it’s brilliant television.
Fans React: McGee Was Right, But It Still Feels Wrong
Social media exploded after the finale. Some fans feel vindicated. Others feel betrayed. And a lot of viewers are asking: “Why LaRoche?”
It’s a testament to how deep NCIS characters run. Even minor players like LaRoche leave a big emotional footprint.
Gibbs’ Legacy and the Shadow It Cast
This storyline isn’t just about LaRoche — it’s about Gibbs. Every decision the team makes, every instinct they follow, echoes his legacy.
McGee stepping up and calling out a potential mole? That’s a page straight from Gibbs’ playbook.
And maybe that’s what the writers are really showing us — the torch has been passed.
Trust and Betrayal: A Running NCIS Theme
NCIS has always thrived on trust. And when that trust breaks? The fallout is massive.
From Ari Haswari to Ziva’s father, and now possibly LaRoche — betrayal hits hardest when it comes from within.
McGee’s confrontation with LaRoche reminded us all: trust is a fragile thing.
How This Twist Impacts Season 23
If LaRoche is the mole, we’re looking at a seismic shift in Season 23. Old cases could be reopened. Former allies could be implicated.
And McGee? He might not just be right — he could be promoted, finally seen as the team’s true leader.
But if he’s wrong? His credibility takes a hit that might be hard to recover from.
Will LaRoche Return? Theories Flying Around
We didn’t see LaRoche arrested. We didn’t see him run. He simply… vanished.
That leaves room for his return. Maybe with answers. Maybe with more secrets.
And if there’s one thing NCIS loves, it’s a good comeback.
McGee’s Evolution – From Sidekick to Leading Intuition
McGee’s journey from “Probie” to lead agent has been subtle but powerful. He’s no longer the guy in the background. He’s the one calling shots, making gutsy calls, and standing by them.
His move against LaRoche proves that — and maybe, just maybe, shows us he’s ready to carry the team forward.
Conclusion: Was McGee Right After All?
So… was McGee right?
Maybe. Probably. But not definitively — and that’s the brilliance of it.
The writers gave us just enough to chew on without handing us a clean resolution. Whether LaRoche is the mole or a victim of circumstance, one thing’s clear: McGee’s gut is sharper than ever.
And if Season 23 is anything like this finale, we’re in for one hell of a ride.
FAQs
1. Was LaRoche really the mole in NCIS Season 22?
It’s heavily implied, but the show never confirms it outright, leaving room for future revelations in Season 23.
2. Why did McGee suspect LaRoche in the first place?
McGee noticed inconsistencies in LaRoche’s behavior, access to sensitive data, and several clues that painted a suspicious pattern.
3. Will LaRoche return in Season 23?
There’s a strong possibility. His story ended too ambiguously to be final, which suggests more to come.
4. How does this twist affect McGee’s character arc?
It cements McGee as a central, leadership-caliber figure. His instincts and willingness to challenge authority show significant growth.
5. Is Season 23 confirmed?
Yes, NCIS Season 23 is confirmed, and the LaRoche plotline will likely be a major thread moving forward.
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