NCIS Season 23 Is About To Make Parker Look Better – But Gibbs Worse

As one of the longest-running procedurals on the air, NCIS has built its legacy on the leadership of one controversial figure, Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), but after years of Alden Parker (Gary Cole) at the helm, the old guard doesn’t look as great. For seasons, it’s been clear that Gibbs and Parker are incredibly different in terms of their leadership style.

While Parker has been a part of the show since NCIS season 19 after Gibbs left early on, there’s been a lot more about him on the series than there was about Gibbs throughout his time on the series. With new storylines coming to NCIS season 23 that surround Parker’s past, the series will be taking a detailed look at the MCRT leader.

Although Gibbs spent years as one of the biggest parts of NCIS’ highly-skilled team, it was clear that the lone wolf style of his leadership didn’t lend to learning more about his character from a personal perspective. Now, seeing Parker opening up a bit more story-wise, it will be interesting to see one side of Parker that never came to fruition for Gibbs.

NCIS Season 23 Will Finally Dig Into Parker’s Childhood Backstory

More Of His Past Will Be Revealed

As NCIS season 23 comes more clearly into focus, viewers are learning that they’ll have the opportunity to learn more about Parker’s past. According to TV Insider, this season of NCIS will take a deeper look into Parker’s past, where he made a lot of trouble for himself and his family. Giving viewers insight into Parker’s past, viewers will get the chance to know him even more.

While the development surrounding Parker isn’t necessarily surprising, it’s clear that NCIS is working hard to develop his character in a deeper, more meaningful way over the course of the upcoming season. Parker’s leadership style is a direct result of the experiences he’s had in the past, including difficulties he faced in his early years. Moving forward, knowing more about the MCRT leader paints a more detailed picture.

Parker Is Already A Much More Interesting Character In NCIS Than Gibbs Ever Was

He’s Got A Better Sense For Team Leadership

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As NCIS viewers get the chance to learn more about Parker, it’s clear that the storytelling is going to allow for a well-rounded look at his character, as well as how he interacts with the rest of the MCRT. Gibbs’ story was always so entrenched in trauma that he felt isolated and made others to feel the same. While viewers knew about his past, it wasn’t dynamic.

Instead, Gibbs’ past left him closed off, while Parker’s has made him a richer character. With Parker getting more of a dynamic backstory, more of the way he interacts with the MCRT will be understandable for viewers. Parker’s past has allowed him to create better team dynamics, and will allow him to keep a rich inner-life to show on NCIS.

By giving Parker the kind of layered backstory Gibbs never received, NCIS may finally cement him as both a worthy successor and the show’s best leader yet.