The Ghosts of Seasons Past: How a ‘NCIS’ Season 23 Twist Makes Alden Parker Look Good (and Leroy Gibbs Look Bad) 🕵️♂️
For two decades, Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) was the stoic, rule-bending, and morally complex heart of NCIS. He was a legend, a man who, despite his flaws, always did what was right to get the job done. His departure from the show in Season 19 was a monumental shift, leaving a void that was filled by the more emotionally open and by-the-book Alden Parker (Gary Cole). While Parker has slowly won over the audience with his wit and his kindness, he has consistently been overshadowed by the ghost of Gibbs’ legacy. But now, as NCIS gears up for its highly anticipated Season 23, a new storyline is poised to not only make Parker look like a strategic genius but also, by comparison, to cast a darker light on one of Gibbs’ most controversial decisions. The show is about to retroactively prove that Parker’s approach to the job is not only different from Gibbs’, but in this specific instance, it’s also arguably better.
The Gibbs Way: Rule 10 and the ‘Get the Job Done’ Mentality 👨✈️
Leroy Jethro Gibbs lived by a strict, but often unwritten, code of conduct. His “rules” were the foundation of his leadership, a system of principles that, in his mind, always led to the right outcome. Rule 10 was a prime example: “Never get personally involved in a case.” While Gibbs often preached this rule, he rarely followed it himself. He was a man who acted with his gut, and his moral compass, while usually pointing to justice, was often a reckless one. Gibbs was a master of a narrative that put the ends before the means. He would do whatever it took to catch a bad guy, even if it meant breaking a few rules, and in some cases, putting his own team at risk.
This “Gibbs way” of doing things was a source of both admiration and frustration for his team. They knew that when the chips were down, Gibbs would always have their backs, but they also knew that his personal vendettas and his disregard for protocol could put them in a perilous position. It was a chaotic but effective system, one that audiences loved for its unpredictable and dramatic nature. But in the real world, and in the world of NCIS‘s evolving narrative, this method has its drawbacks.
The Parker Approach: A By-the-Book Professional 🤓
When Alden Parker took over as the head of the team, he was a stark contrast to Gibbs. Parker was a bureaucrat, a man who believed in teamwork, communication, and following the rules. He was not a man of a secret code but of open dialogue. He didn’t lead with his fists or with his gut; he led with his mind and with his heart. He was a professional who, for all his eccentricities, was committed to doing things the right way.
This shift in leadership style was met with some resistance from fans who had grown accustomed to Gibbs’ tough-guy persona. Parker was seen as soft, as a less effective leader who couldn’t command the same respect as his predecessor. But a new storyline is about to prove that Parker’s by-the-book method is not a weakness, but a profound strength.
The New Twist: The Gibbs Legacy Put on Trial ⚖️
In the Season 23 premiere, NCIS will explore a shocking new storyline that is a direct consequence of Gibbs’ actions. While details are still under wraps, sources suggest that a past case, one that Gibbs handled with his signature rule-bending methods, is now coming back to haunt the team. A former suspect, whom Gibbs’ team convicted, has been exonerated due to a procedural error or a piece of evidence that was mishandled. This new development will not only put the team in a difficult position but will also force them to confront the flaws in Gibbs’ leadership.
This is where Parker shines. He will be tasked with solving a case that was already “solved” by Gibbs, but he will have to do it by the book. He will have to use proper protocol, build a case with airtight evidence, and ensure that every action is above board. This storyline is a brilliant and subtle way to make Parker look better. He is not just solving a case; he is cleaning up a mess that was left behind by his predecessor. He is showing the team, and the audience, that his more methodical approach is not just effective but is ultimately more sustainable and just.
The Unintended Consequence: A Darker Light on Gibbs’ Legacy 😬
The show is not just making Parker look good; it is also, by proxy, making Gibbs look bad. While Gibbs’ actions were often portrayed as heroic, this new storyline exposes the darker side of his methods. His disregard for the rules, which was once seen as a sign of his dedication to justice, is now being shown as a liability. It’s a risk that, in this case, has led to a miscarriage of justice and a dangerous criminal being set free. The storyline forces the audience to confront the fact that Gibbs, for all his heroism, was a flawed and dangerous leader.
This is a bold move for the show’s creative team. They are taking a beloved character and asking the audience to re-evaluate his legacy. They are showing that the “Gibbs way” was not a perfect system, and that sometimes, a leader who acts with his gut can create more problems than he solves. This is a testament to the show’s willingness to evolve and to challenge its own history.
A New Era of Leadership: Parker’s Time to Shine ✨
The new season of NCIS is not just about solving a crime; it’s about a passing of the torch. It’s about a new generation of leadership proving its worth. Alden Parker, who has been living in the shadow of Gibbs for too long, is about to have his moment in the sun. He will show the audience that his brand of leadership—one that is built on trust, teamwork, and a commitment to the rules—is not only more effective but also more ethical. The storyline is a powerful and subtle way to make Parker look better, and it’s a testament to the show’s commitment to creating a new and compelling narrative for its future. The ghosts of seasons past are finally being laid to rest, and in their place, a new hero is rising.
