NCIS Season 23 Episode 1 Review: Parker's Family Tragedy Resets the Stakes

Critic’s Rating: 4.2 / 5.0

4.2

Do you ever feel like you know everything about a show and its characters, and then something happens that completely surprises you? That’s exactly how I felt watching the NCIS Season 23 premiere. 

We find Alden Parker grieving the loss of his father and reflecting on their complicated relationship. But what really caught me off guard was the sudden appearance of his sister, Harriet.

I actually had to hit pause and search online, certain I must have missed an earlier mention. As it turns out, this is the first time she has ever been introduced in the series. 

It’s an interesting addition because it opens a new window into Parker’s life, one we haven’t seen before.

After so many seasons, it is easy for even the most dedicated fans to lose track of every little detail — I have been watching for years, and even I don’t remember every single piece of lore.

Parker’s Family Trauma Unlocks Deeper Story

I’ve never seen Parker this desperate before, and there’s a good reason for that. Losing his father hit him hard. 

Despite their troubled history, his dad was one of the few remaining members of his immediate family. This intensely personal connection makes the central case significantly more meaningful, and it’s precisely why this episode succeeds. 

In recent seasons, the cases haven’t always landed for me. (Sorry!) I’ve found some of them a little underwhelming. Even my mom has said, “How many times can they do the same thing?”

After the emotional NCIS Season 22 finale, I was hoping this one would start on a deeper, more personal note — and it did. The flashbacks to young Alden with his father and sister gave the story a strong emotional core.

During NCIS Season 22, we saw Parker haunted by visions of Lily, but that storyline never got resolved. Instead, the narrative pivoted to another significant chapter of his life: his sister.

Predictably, their relationship is also strained. While a family tragedy might be expected to unite them, the show wisely takes a more complicated route.

Parker’s attention is fully on Carla. It’s not just about justice anymore — it’s about guilt and loss.

You can feel that he’s not delusional, just determined. He’s driven by that feeling you get when something terrible happens, and you can’t shake the idea that maybe it’s your fault.

While the case itself is important, it’s the personal stories that truly hook fans like me.

We’ve never learned much about Parker’s mother, who died when he was young, so seeing how he interacts with Harriet fills that gap a bit.

The flashbacks clearly establish Parker as the rebellious son, contrasting sharply with Harriet, who followed in their father’s footsteps and became a Vice Admiral in the Navy.

It’s that moment every sibling relationship hits, where neither side wants to listen anymore. That tension adds something fresh to the story. 

Parker and Harriet haven’t spoken in years, and despite their shared grief, he actively avoids her. Maybe it’s because he knows she’ll ask questions he can’t answer. Sometimes it’s easier to stay away than face that kind of confrontation.

A New Conflict Brews

Meanwhile, the NCIS team mobilizes around him, exactly as you’d hope. It would’ve been frustrating if anyone had tried to stick strictly to the rulebook here.

Even when Director Vance explicitly warns Parker to step away from the Carla Marino investigation, the team subtly ensures he gets the support he needs.

Those are the moments that make me want to cheer — “Let’s go, team NCIS!”

During the investigation, they discover Carla’s life is falling apart. The crime families she targeted are coming for her, and she’s desperate. They realize she’s planning something dangerous — boarding a ship that may be loaded with weapons.

Naturally, Parker ignores the stand-down order. By the time the team catches on, he’s already on the ship. Things quickly escalate when the vessel departs early, leaving the team unable to reach him.

Then comes the twist: the Navy takes over the operation, and the person leading the charge is none other than Vice Admiral Harriet Parker. That moment hit hard.

I had a feeling it was coming, but it still landed. It sets up what promises to be a powerful emotional arc centered on themes of forgiveness, accountability, and family loyalty.

Her appearance as the operation leader is not just a plot device; it is a brilliant stroke of contrast. Parker has always fought against the rules, and now his life is in the hands of his sister, who is following the orders.

This entire scenario sets up a huge conflict between his personal heartache and her official job, forcing the show to explore where family loyalty ends and duty begins. 

The season is off to a strong start. I sincerely hope the writers capitalize on this potential — not just for solving cases, but for truly delving into the emotional core of these characters.

Harriet’s introduction could really reshape Parker’s story, especially if she’s forced to make an impossible choice between duty and family.

The case itself was tense and engaging. You could feel Parker’s anger and grief bubbling under every decision.

Gary Cole brought a real intensity to the performance — exactly what was needed for this kind of story.

He portrayed the character’s deep struggle without ever resorting to melodrama. Instead, Cole delivered a grounded portrayal that gave the episode its necessary emotional weight.

Are you excited to see more of Harriet?

Do you think her presence will push Parker to open up or drive them even further apart? Let’s hear your thoughts about the season premiere of NCIS in the comments below.

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