The Season 22 finale of NCIS delivered a shocking, heartbreaking blow to Special Agent in Charge Alden Parker (Gary Cole) with the presumed murder of his father, Roman Parker. The prime suspect: Parker’s long-standing, ruthless nemesis, the mob boss Carla Marino (Rebecca De Mornay), who holds Parker responsible for the death of her own son. The stakes for Season 23 have never been higher, transforming the usually balanced and easygoing Parker into a man “out for blood.”
As the second installment of the two-part premiere, Season 23, Episode 2, titled “Prodigal Son (Part II),” promises a dramatic acceleration of this personal vendetta. Newly released photos and episode details hint that Parker is dangerously close to catching up to Carla, forcing him to confront not only his personal rage but also the impossible choice his sister, Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker (Nancy Travis), must face. This is more than a simple chase—it’s a deep dive into Parker’s troubled past, his emotional breaking point, and the limits of the NCIS team’s loyalty.
The Hunt is On: Parker’s Destabilization
Executive producer Steven D. Binder has been clear about Parker’s mindset following the tragedy: “Parker is pissed,” and he “is going to be destabilized and he’s going to be out for revenge and out for blood in a way that it will seem very atypical for someone like him.” The image of the composed, zen-like agent is shattered, giving way to a visceral, personal quest for justice.
Episode 2 photos capture this intense shift. Images show Parker, alongside his core team members—McGee (Sean Murray), Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), and Knight (Katrina Law)—scouting locations with a focused, almost grim determination. The traditional boundary between agent and avenger appears to be rapidly eroding.
The official synopsis confirms the danger, teasing that Parker’s “pursuit of vengeance for his father’s murder could have deadly consequences.” This suggests a break from protocol, a willingness to cross lines, and a true test of the entire team. Fans of the flagship series know that the show’s most compelling arcs are born when a leader is personally compromised, forcing the team to become both a shield and a moral compass. The “Prodigal Son” arc is shaping up to be Parker’s version of Gibbs’s post-Shannon and Kelly tragedy—a defining, transformative moment that will either destroy him or forge him into a new kind of leader.
Carla Marino: A Villain in the Gibbs Mold
The antagonist at the center of this storm, Carla Marino, is a villain whose personal connection and cold-blooded motivation elevate her far beyond the typical “case of the week” mob boss. Marino’s decision to kill Parker’s father was not a simple act of violence, but a calculated act of revenge for the death of her son, for which she holds Parker responsible from his FBI days. This deeply personal vendetta echoes some of the greatest villains in NCIS history, particularly the Port-to-Port Killer, Jonas Cobb, who also killed a father figure (Mike Franks) to wound the team’s leader (Gibbs).
By striking at Parker’s family, Marino has ensured that the pursuit of her will not end until she is brought to justice, or until Parker’s obsession has spiraled out of control. The second episode is highly likely to see the team closing in, relying on their expertise in surveillance and intelligence, as hinted by the reconnaissance photos of the MCRT agents.
However, Marino is the cunning head of the Kansas City Mob, a long-term nemesis who has evaded Parker’s traps before. The photos, while showing the team on the move, also raise the question of whether this is a genuine lead or another of Marino’s intricate decoys. The psychological battle between Parker and Marino—the calm agent and the vindictive mob boss—is the core tension that will drive this two-part premiere to its volatile conclusion.
The Sibling Dynamic: Vice Admiral Harriet Parker
Perhaps the most compelling new layer introduced in the “Prodigal Son” story is the arrival of Parker’s sister, Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker, played by guest star Nancy Travis. This introduction not only fills out Parker’s sparse backstory but also introduces a powerful family dynamic that further complicates the revenge narrative.
Executive producer Steven D. Binder explained that the current relationship between the siblings will “revert to the dynamic between them when they were younger.” Flashbacks to 1977 will illustrate this past: Harriet was the “good child,” while Alden was the “prodigal son,” causing problems for himself and their family.
Harriet’s presence forces Parker to face an old, painful regret: the feeling that his actions—his life as a lawman with a dangerous past—ultimately got their father killed. The synopsis highlights that the Vice Admiral “faces an impossible choice.” This could mean she is torn between supporting her vengeful brother and adhering to her Navy protocols, or perhaps that her past connection to Alden’s trouble means she feels a shared responsibility for Roman’s death.
The sibling rivalry, rooted in childhood trauma and resurfaced by a shared tragedy, will create internal friction that the team must navigate. While McGee, Torres, and Knight are unified in protecting their boss, Harriet’s judgment—as the “good child”—could be a significant factor in whether Director Vance is forced to intervene and remove Parker from the case, something the MCRT will undoubtedly fight against.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for NCIS
“Prodigal Son (Part II)” is set to be a definitive moment for Gary Cole’s tenure on NCIS. By plunging Alden Parker into a deeply personal quest for vengeance, the show is returning to the high-stakes, character-driven drama that defined its most iconic eras. The released photos showing the team operating with intense focus underscore the immediate danger and the urgency of their mission.
The resolution of the Carla Marino arc—whether she is caught, killed, or escapes again—will set the emotional and procedural tone for the rest of Season 23. More importantly, it will determine the lasting transformation of Alden Parker. Will he be consumed by the darkness of revenge, or will the loyalty of his team and the complex love of his sister pull him back from the edge? The answers, and the ensuing fallout, will cement the legacy of this new era of NCIS leadership. Fans should prepare for an episode packed with action, moral ambiguity, and deep familial conflict.
