‘NCIS’: What’d You Think of Parker’s First Case as Boss? (RECAP)
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for NCIS Season 19, Episode 6 “False Start.”]
“Would you rather I only come in here to get upset and bark orders?” Alden Parker (Gary Cole), the team’s new boss, asks at one point in the latest NCIS. “It’s what we’re used to,” Tim McGee (Sean Murray) admits. And to be honest, it’s a little strange for us as a viewer to see Parker treating the team to pastries more than once in this episode of the CBS procedural.
But just like we’re still feeling out Parker — having him around in a consulting capacity is much different from being a member of NCIS — so is the rest of the team. And it makes sense that Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) seems to be adjusting the easiest: She’s never (officially) worked with Gibbs (Mark Harmon) as boss. So while she’s happily eating the pastries, Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), who was vocal about not wanting Parker to take over, questions if their new boss is playing mind games. McGee seems a bit more open, though he definitely regards him warily. After all, Parker is willingly engaging in small talk, looking up their hidden talents, and joining everyone for a race at the end on a track. (What hasn’t changed: Parker gets the same look Gibbs did when he figures out something.) For the most part, it seems, he sits back and lets the team do what they do best.
Speaking of that aforementioned race, it ties into the case of the week: Commander Davis, who headed the Navy sports program, is found dead in his office, shot in the head with a blank round. Parker finds performance-enhancing drugs in a hidden compartment in his desk, and the athlete he’s been coaching, Felix (Joshua Brockington), isn’t too happy when he finds out they’re looking into Davis for possibly dealing. The coach helped him turn his life around, he explains. Among the suspects is Navy Petty Officer Third Class Kyle Seward (Zeus Taylor), whom Felix saw arguing with Davis. It looks like Kyle may have been using steroids — he seems to have bulked up fast, going off his photos — but it turns out the coach called him out on selling athletes’ unwashed clothes he stole. (“You sure you wouldn’t maybe just rather confess to murder?” McGee asks.)
Another suspect is Dr. Astrid Fellowes (Kelly Stables), who was buying the clothes and upset when Kyle shut down his business (when Davis threatened to report him). But she didn’t go after Davis for being responsible for that. In fact, her work — she was buying the clothes for her research studying DNA — helps them identify the killer: the father of one of Davis’ former elite athletes. Jamie was killed by a drunk driver a year ago, and Davis found out he’d been using the performance-enhancing drugs. He was going to report him, which would erase the two records he still held — and his dad, who’d been the one to supply him with the drugs, couldn’t let that happen.
Michael Yarish/CBS
During the case, Torres connects with Felix. Davis was like his family, and “I just lost some family, too,” the agent says. (Bishop? Gibbs? Both, probably.) After, he continues, “I channeled my emotions into something positive.” He urges Felix to focus on his running and is bothered when he and Parker are called after the petty officer picks a fight with Kyle. “I’ve been where you are,” Torres tell Felix. “I know how hard it is to ask for help.”
He’ll come around, McGee assures Torres. “You’re a good coach,” and McGee’s not the only one who sees it. Parker does, too, suggesting it’s Torres’ hidden talent. And so when he’s still worried about Felix after they solve the case, Parker notes they still have work to do. That’s when Torres meets Felix on the track and shows that other people believe in him: The rest of the team is going to watch as the two of them race.
So what’d you think of Parker’s first case as the new boss? Vote in our poll and scroll down to share more of your thoughts in the comments!
NCIS, Mondays, 9/8c, CBS
Grab Your News!
Get absolutely everything about NCIS in your inbox!
Conversation27 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
G
I think he's a great addition to the cast and and while I will miss seeing Mark Harmon I think Gary Cole was absolutely the perfect choice to replace Gibbs.
14 2
-
O
I love him!!! Just quirky enough to make him different.
10 2
-
B
i'm pleased with ncis chose
10 2
-
O
I liked it.....surprisingly.
9 2
-
P
I think Gary Cole is a great choice!
People need to give him a chance!
I also think the new female agent is a great choice too! Loved her on Hawaii 5 0!
Sure wish they would bring
NCIS: NO back and cancel NCIS: Hawaii.
5
-
O
NCIS franchises would be wise to mix in follow up stories with their origins on JAG with JAG alumni. Where is Admiral Chegwiggen? Does he know Kilbride?
Might he be needed in Hawaii?
-
-
G
Didn't think I would like him but he does a good job. He's like Gibbs but in a different way.
7 2
-
G
I like him, think he will do good!
4 2
-
G
Very happy with Alden Parker. Very good show! Gary Cole good fit!
2 1
-
R
I was bored with the show. I turned it off half way into it. I just didn’t care about the story or it’s outcome.
5 4
-
P
I am enjoying Alden Parker! I think he brings a new and different life to the team and show. Will never replace Gibbs, but in order to let the silver fox move on, so should we. The new direction is promising for many more seasons to come.
1
-
O
He just doesn't fit in. I'm willing to see if I'll change my mind by the end of this season.
-
O
Ncis survived Tony and Ziva leaving. We'll see if Gibbs leaving will be the nail in the coffin...
-
O
I noticed that Rocky Carroll was missing from the mix. Parker, was "False Start" referring to his new relationship with Gibbs team?
Will trouble be over the horizon? Will McGee or Vance need Gibb's to come to the rescue? Will they notice information that Gibb's safety is compromised?
Will Ducky be the one that calls Gibb's needing his help?
Will Tony or Ziva need Gibbs? Maybe Gibbs will be needed in Hawaii?
-
G
He's not Gibbs, but I like his character. The similarities and the differences. Storylines need to get back some action, plots a bit slow. I will still be watching, Gibbs and Mark, left a solid team to build on.
-
R
Show is not anywhere as good without Gibbs. I will just watch something else
-
P
I don't like him on the show. They should had Mckee
-
O
Ok
-
O
I didn't care much for him bring Gibbs back
-
P
I thought he was terrific! Although I absolutely adore Gibbs the other new cast members are a bit BORING. I miss Ducky and his Mother and his words of wisdom. I miss DiNozzo and and all his movie references and his father Robert Wagner. I loved McGee and Ziva. A personality was needed because Leroy goes deep, he is a deep soul. Dr Palmer stupid jerkiness gets on my nerves. sorry. So this new guy is a Perfect Fit. Thank you so much I will continue watching it is great to see a man with a full head of gray hair. I love all those seasoned actors you bring on.
-
O
They are making a good decision in having his character be his own person with his own traits. He is doing fine I have watched this show for a long time and all the "new" characters have blended in over time. But Damn I do miss Gibbs, ain't no one else there who can be the "boss".
-
G
I did not care for him. Not sure why just didn't.
1
-
B
Bored! No excitement come back Gibbs!!
1 2
-
R
Not so good - done with this show.
1 2
-
C
Not sure. Just like that he is team leader? McGee, Torres.....guys say something. He's not Gibbs and she's not Ziva. No excitement. Bland. One more episode.
2
-
G
How does Vance hire a non-NCIS person to lead the team? It makes no sense? It’s an insult to the team. If that was the direction Vance wanted to go, at least pretend to make it real and make Alden go to FLETC. At least then, there would be credibility to the appointment!!
4 8
-
R
Not enjoying Alden Parker.
It was wrong in 2005 to bring in Ben Browder on Stargate SG-1, when Richard Dean Anderson retired.
It was wrong for NCIS to not promote Tim to team leader, and to bring in Gary Cole.
2 7
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services