If you’ve been keeping up with NCIS Season 23, you’ve probably noticed the subtle clues—Easter eggs, flashbacks, and mysterious character motives—that point to something bigger brewing. But here’s the twist: it’s not just a new villain. The show is setting up the successor to one of its most hated antagonists from 14 years ago—a villain who left a dark stain on NCIS history.
Ready to go down memory lane and see how the past is haunting the present? Let’s dig into how Season 23 is cleverly weaving legacy and vengeance into one of the most compelling arcs yet.
Who Was the Villain from 14 Years Ago?
The Infamous Harper Dearing
Back in Season 9, Harper Dearing, portrayed by Richard Schiff, was one of the most chilling and destructive antagonists in NCIS history. He was responsible for orchestrating a bombing that targeted the Navy Yard—killing multiple people and sending shockwaves through the team.
What Made Dearing So Hated?
Dearing wasn’t just a terrorist. He was emotionally charged, brilliantly manipulative, and always one step ahead. His motivations stemmed from a personal vendetta after the death of his son, and he weaponized that grief to bring chaos.
Season 23’s Clues Are No Coincidence
A Familiar Pattern Emerging
Season 23 has dropped some uncanny breadcrumbs: mysterious bombings, cryptic references to past cases, and a rising antagonist that seems all too familiar in tactics and ideology.
The Rise of Elias Kade
Enter Elias Kade, a new character introduced mid-season. While his identity and goals seem ambiguous, fans have speculated that he’s not just any new threat—he could be a protégé or even a relative of Harper Dearing.
Is Elias Kade Dearing’s Son or Disciple?
Theories From Hardcore NCIS Fans
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Could Elias be a surviving illegitimate son of Harper Dearing?
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Or perhaps he was radicalized by Dearing’s ideology through hidden manifestos or encrypted messages left behind?
The writers are playing a long game here, dropping just enough hints to keep viewers guessing while fueling online speculation.
The Art of a Villain’s Legacy
Why Bring Back the Ghosts of Season 9?
Bringing back the spirit of an old villain isn’t just for nostalgia. It’s a clever storytelling move:
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Connects longtime fans emotionally
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Gives new viewers a sense of depth
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Reinforces the consequences of unresolved trauma
The “Echo Effect” in NCIS Storytelling
Like ripples in a pond, the actions of past villains continue to affect the present. This strategy ensures the narrative feels organic, layered, and intensely personal.
Psychological Warfare Is Back
Dearing Was a Master Manipulator
Unlike physical threats, Harper Dearing thrived on mental games—turning the team against itself, forcing Gibbs to question his decisions, and manipulating media narratives.
Elias Is Playing the Same Game
Elias Kade appears to be employing similar psychological tactics: anonymous messages, misleading evidence, and forcing the NCIS team into moral grey zones.
A New Generation of NCIS Villainy
More Calculated, Less Chaotic
Where Dearing’s wrath was fueled by emotion, Kade seems colder—more calculated and methodical. This makes him even more dangerous because he doesn’t flinch.
Kade’s Tech Savvy Edge
Unlike Dearing, who relied on bombs and brute tactics, Kade uses:
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Cyber warfare
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Social engineering
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AI surveillance loopholes
This modernization reflects real-world threats—and raises the stakes dramatically.
Gibbs’ Absence and Its Impact
The Team Feels the Void
Without Gibbs, there’s a leadership gap. The current team is strong, but Dearing’s successor could exploit this emotional and strategic vulnerability.
The Psychological Undercurrent
Kade might represent a test of whether the current NCIS squad can truly operate without their former rock, making the conflict more personal.
Could There Be A Bigger Conspiracy?
Beyond One Man
What if Elias Kade isn’t acting alone? The possibility of a shadow organization or sleeper cell tied to Dearing’s ideology adds another chilling layer.
Global Terrorism and NCIS
Season 23 could be setting up international connections, expanding NCIS’s scope and making Kade not just a threat to the team, but to global security.
Why This Arc Works So Well
Tapping Into Long-Term Lore
The decision to revisit Dearing’s legacy shows the writers’ confidence in long-term storytelling—and rewards fans who’ve stuck around.
Emotional Investment Reignited
Reconnecting with the trauma of past seasons resurrects emotional stakes, forcing characters (and viewers) to confront unresolved pain.
What’s Next for NCIS Season 23?
Foreshadowing a Climactic Showdown
With each episode, the tension builds. All signs point to a dramatic showdown between Kade and the NCIS team, likely with casualties or shocking twists.
Will Kade Surpass Dearing?
Time will tell if Kade becomes more feared than Dearing, but the setup is promising. And if NCIS pulls it off, he may become a franchise-defining villain.
How NCIS Balances Nostalgia With Innovation
NCIS is walking a fine line: honoring its past while introducing new threats. So far, Season 23 has nailed this balance, keeping legacy fans hooked and newcomers intrigued.
Can The Team Survive Another Dearing-Level Threat?
The emotional scars from Harper Dearing’s reign haven’t fully healed. Facing his successor may reopen those wounds—or make the team stronger.
Conclusion: Dearing’s Shadow Still Lurks Over NCIS
It’s been 14 years, but Harper Dearing’s legacy is alive and well—just with a new face. Season 23 of NCIS is shaping up to be one of the most emotionally complex and thrilling seasons yet. Whether Elias Kade is Dearing’s heir or something even darker, one thing’s clear: NCIS isn’t done with its demons. And neither are we.
FAQs
1. Who was Harper Dearing in NCIS?
Harper Dearing was a major antagonist in Season 9, known for orchestrating a Navy Yard bombing that had devastating effects on the NCIS team.
2. Is Elias Kade related to Harper Dearing?
While not confirmed, fan theories suggest Elias Kade may be a son, protégé, or ideological follower of Dearing.
3. Why revisit a villain from 14 years ago?
Bringing back elements of past storylines adds depth and emotional stakes for long-time viewers while introducing compelling conflict for new fans.
4. Is Gibbs returning to face the new threat?
There’s no official word on Gibbs returning, but his influence and absence are deeply felt throughout Season 23.
5. How has NCIS evolved its villains over time?
The show has shifted from emotionally driven antagonists to tech-savvy, methodical threats—mirroring real-world changes in criminal behavior.
