When Past Meets Present in a Franchise This Big, Anything’s Possible
We all love a good crossover. And with NCIS building an entire universe—NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: Hawai’i, NCIS: Sydney, and now NCIS: Origins—it was only a matter of time before the timelines got messy… and exciting.
So here’s a hot take: Season 23 of the main NCIS series is the perfect chance for a crossover with NCIS: Origins, even if it messes with continuity a little. Why? Because Alden Parker’s storyline is uniquely positioned to bridge the generational gap in a way no other character can.
Let’s unpack why this isn’t just possible—it’s necessary.
Parker’s Personal Crisis Opens the Door
Aftermath of His Father’s Murder
Season 22 ended on a deeply personal note: Alden Parker’s father was murdered. And from what we know about Season 23, Parker’s going to spiral—not in a villain arc way, but in a grief-driven, emotionally complex journey that’s begging for backstory.
This is the perfect setup for a narrative deep dive, and Origins is the best vehicle to deliver that context—even if it means pulling some storytelling strings.
NCIS: Origins Is Already Exploring Gibbs’ Formative Years
What if Young Gibbs Crosses Paths with Young Parker’s World?
In Origins, we’re watching a young Gibbs navigate early NCIS days in the 1990s. That’s decades before Parker appears on the main series, sure—but it’s also decades of untapped potential.
What if Parker’s father had some connection to Gibbs or Mike Franks? What if a case Gibbs handled back in the day inadvertently shaped Parker’s entire future? Imagine the emotional resonance of Parker uncovering that in real time—via case files, old footage, or even dream-like sequences.
It doesn’t have to be literal time travel. It can be thematic, investigative, and deeply psychological.
The Timeline Doesn’t Have to Match Perfectly
Think Flashbacks, Records, or Even Cold Cases
The key to a good crossover in a franchise like NCIS isn’t always shared screen time—it’s shared narrative DNA.
Here’s how they could do it:
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Parker investigates an old cold case linked to Gibbs’ early years.
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He finds an unreleased video interview or old mission files featuring young Gibbs and team.
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Through case notes or hidden letters, Parker connects emotionally with a part of NCIS history we’ve only just begun to explore in Origins.
Boom. You’ve got a crossover that respects the timeline and enriches both shows.
Parker’s Emotional Journey Can Mirror Young Gibbs’
Two Men Haunted by Loss and Duty
We’ve seen Gibbs deal with grief, vengeance, and the code he lives by. Parker is different—more intellectual, more reserved—but he’s about to enter a space Gibbs once lived in: personal tragedy colliding with professional duty.
That parallel alone deserves screen time. And what better way to illustrate that than a story arc tying Parker’s current turmoil to something Gibbs experienced 30 years ago?
Fans Want Deeper Connections Between Shows
Franchise Expansion Needs Stronger Threads
One of the biggest criticisms of spinoffs like NCIS: Hawai’i or Sydney is that they feel too removed from the original series. Origins is already closer because it shares core DNA: Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
So now’s the moment to lean in. Use Parker—a fan-favorite with emotional depth—as the link. Let his storyline unlock flashbacks, stories, or revelations that further define the world of Origins.
You give NCIS fans something to obsess over, and Origins fans a reason to stay invested.
Could We See a Younger Parker in Origins?
A Long Shot, But Not Impossible
If Parker’s backstory involves NCIS in the ’90s, we could theoretically meet a younger version of him in Origins. Even just as a cameo. A rookie FBI agent. A relative. Or a witness.
Writers love to drop Easter eggs. And we, the fans, love to dissect them. This kind of twist would set the internet on fire.
What Would a Crossover Look Like—Practically?
A Three-Episode Arc Could Do It
Here’s a potential structure:
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Episode 1 (NCIS): Parker receives mysterious files related to his dad’s murder—leading him to an unsolved NCIS case from 1994.
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Episode 2 (Origins): We jump back in time to watch young Gibbs work that very case, discovering something Parker doesn’t know yet.
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Episode 3 (NCIS): Parker uses what he’s learned to bring closure to the case—and maybe, to himself.
It’s not just a crossover. It’s emotional closure across decades. Fans would eat it up.
Crossover Success Stories in the Franchise
NCIS Has Done It Before—and It Worked
Let’s not forget:
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NCIS: LA and NCIS had multiple successful crossover events.
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NCIS: Hawai’i pulled it off with the mothership show during high-stakes cases.
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Even NCIS: Sydney teased connective threads.
So the blueprint’s there. And if anything deserves that treatment, it’s Parker’s raw, personal arc.
Conclusion: This Is Bigger Than One Storyline—It’s Franchise Growth Done Right
Parker’s emotional unraveling in NCIS Season 23 is already set to be one of the most compelling arcs in the show’s recent history. But tying it to Origins? That elevates it to something richer, more meaningful.
Yes, the timelines don’t line up perfectly. But when the story is this good, fans will happily blur the lines. Especially if it means we get deeper character work, nostalgic callbacks, and that unbeatable sense of shared universe payoff.
Let’s be real—if NCIS is playing the long game (and it is), this crossover is the next smart move.
FAQs
1. Can NCIS and NCIS: Origins actually cross over despite the time gap?
Yes, through storytelling techniques like flashbacks, file investigations, and emotional parallels. It doesn’t have to be direct interaction.
2. Why would Parker connect to Origins characters like young Gibbs?
His current arc involves his father’s death—exploring that past could tie into early NCIS cases involving Gibbs or Mike Franks.
3. Has NCIS done crossovers like this before?
Yes—NCIS has a history of successful crossovers across its franchise, including LA, Hawai’i, and more.
4. Could we see a young Parker in Origins?
Possibly. If his backstory overlaps with the Origins timeline, a cameo is feasible—even just in passing.
5. What would fans gain from this crossover?
Richer character development, deeper lore, emotional payoff, and a sense of connection across the NCIS universe.
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Obsessed with the NCIS universe? Share this article with your fellow agents and join the mission to uncover every connection, twist, and crossover potential. The timeline may not line up—but the storytelling sure can.
