CBS Pays Off An Incomplete Plot That NCIS Cheated Fans Out Of 12 Years Ago

A lot has happened in NCIS season 23’s crossover with NCIS: Origins season 2, and yet, it’s still able to wrap up an incomplete storyline from 12 years ago. On the heels of a lackluster year, CBS appears to be determined to revive its premier procedural’s glory days during the 2025-2026 TV season. While NCIS remains a ratings hit for the broadcaster, it has been knocked down multiple slots in terms of hierarchy. Since returning from the summer hiatus, however, the franchise has been delivering solid episodes.

These efforts culminate in the NCIS season 23 and NCIS: Origins season 2 crossover event that not only brings back Mark Harmon as Old Leroy Jethro Gibbs to the prequel, it also features a couple of more familiar faces. For starters, Muse Watson makes a cameo as Old Mike Franks during one of the special’s most creative scenes, but it is Roma Maffia’s Vera Strickland who gets the meatiest role among the legacy characters that returns for the TV event. This also allows NCIS to finally make up for cheating viewers out of a storyline involving her more than a decade ago.

Vera’s MCRT Return Finally Lets Her Stay Throughout The Whole Case

Vera was Ziva’s original replacement agent for the MCRT. She was introduced in NCIS season 11, episode 3, “Under the Radar”. Her stint with Gibbs’ team was supposed to be brief, as she was merely finishing her mandated time in service before she could retire. It was revealed that she was Franks’ last partner, establishing her history to Harmon’s character. What was meant to be an easy time for her, however, Vera was forced to work a case with Tony DiNozzo Jr., as Timothy McGee somehow lost his credentials and was looking for them in secret.

This was something that the NCIS season 23 and NCIS: Origins season 2 crossover event actually brought up during Vera’s catch-up session with McGee. What the CBS special failed to mention, however, is that she didn’t get to stay until the case was resolved the last time she was with MCRT because she sprained her ankle during her field run with DiNozzo. As she returns 12 years later, Vera is able to stay throughout the whole time, even up until the Alden Parker’s team serves true justice to the Serenity case that she and Franks’ NIS squad first handled three decades ago.

Will Older Vera Come Back To NCIS?

©CBS / Courtesy MovieStillsDB

Vera’s story in the past continues, as Diany Rodriguez’s version of the character remains a main character in NCIS: Origins. Not much is revealed during her time after splitting up with Franks professionally, so it’s interesting to see where she’ll end up in the next few years in Camp Pendleton. The biggest question now is whether Maffia’s iteration will ever collaborate again with MCRT. She did establish a flirtatious rapport with Parker, so seeing her again in a personal capacity would pose some fun narratives moving forward.

It’s worth noting that Vera said that she needed going back on the field, as retirement has become boring for her. That said, she also claims that she is not officially going back to active duty. Perhaps NCIS can continue using her as a bridge between the present and the events of NCIS: Origins, especially with Gibbs in Alaska and seemingly no intentions of coming back to DC anytime soon.