With a procedural collection as long-running as NCIS, the present has seen its fair proportion of solid members come and go. After Mark Harmon, the face of the NCIS universe, exited the primary collection in Season 19, the ultimate unique solid member was David McCallum‘s Donald “Ducky” Mallard. However following the actor’s loss of life in 2023, NCIS paid tribute to the actor and his character in Season 21. Sean Murray’s Timothy McGee would be the most-tenured predominant character at the moment within the present, however there’s one actor who has been with the collection because the very starting: Joe Spano‘s Tobias Fornell.

Within the NCIS collection premiere, FBI Agent Fornell was a rival to NCIS Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Harmon) as they butted heads when working a case collectively. Whereas he by no means grew to become a predominant character on the present, he would go on to be featured in a minimum of one episode each season besides Seasons 17 and Season 22 (up to now). The rivalry between Fornell and Gibbs was all the time one thing to stay up for as followers loved seeing them slowly change into buddies with every new episode collectively. Fornell grew to become such a staple for NCIS that he was featured within the collection’ two hundredth episode and the franchise’s one thousandth episode. However with Gibbs exiting the collection and Gary Cole‘s Alden Parker taking up the place, Fornell’s appearances had been lower down since he did not have his finest good friend to play off of anymore. Due to this, the newest NCIS episode has discovered a option to subtly say goodbye to Fornell.

The NCIS and FBI Rivalry Continues With Alden Parker and Wayne Sweeney

In NCIS Season 19, Parker, who was working with the FBI then, was tasked by FBI Deputy Director Wayne Sweeney (Erik Passoja) to arrest Gibbs for his abuse of justice. However after seeing how righteous Gibbs is, Parker lets him go and will get fired. Whereas Parker lands a job as the brand new Main Crimes Response Crew chief at NCIS, his popularity with the FBI is tainted. In Season 22, Episode 4, the feud between NCIS and the FBI escalates as Parker and Sweeney argue over their strategies to stop a possible World Conflict III. This performs out equally to Gibbs and Fornell’s first interactions within the NCIS collection premiere, as they fought over jurisdiction in a case that threatened the U.S. President’s life. Like Gibbs in that episode, Parker operates behind the FBI’s again to resolve the issue and earn their respect.

On the finish of NCIS Season 22, Episode 4, Sweeney and Parker come to a mutual understanding about their totally different job approaches and tease a friendship within the making. By having Parker and Sweeney step in to fill the beloved dynamic Gibbs and Fornell had, it is all of the extra cause that Fornell’s time on NCIS has come to an finish. Though Fornell caught round after Gibbs left, his presence would not really feel the identical with out Gibbs to bounce off of. Contemplating that Parker and Fornell each labored for the FBI, it may’ve been an fascinating strategy to see extra of them collectively. However with the time they’ve had collectively on NCIS up to now, the dynamic between Parker and Fornell would not work as nicely since they’re very comparable. Whereas Spano or the NCIS artistic crew have not commented on Fornell’s time being carried out on the collection, this newest episode is an efficient option to honor his legacy.

How Alden Parker and Wayne Sweeney’s New Dynamic Adjustments ‘NCIS’

With Gibbs now not a part of NCIS, the collection has slowly given extra character improvement to Parker to be seen as his personal individual as a substitute of only a substitute. Whereas Parker and Sweeney have some similarities to Gibbs and Fornell, this new friendship is extra fascinating as a result of Sweeney is the FBI Deputy Director. On the identical time, Alden is an NCIS Lead Agent. As a lot as they could butt heads, there’s an imbalance of energy between them, which may result in enjoyable interactions.

Whereas NCIS Deputy Director Gabriel LaRoche (Seamus Dever) has not been featured because the Season 22 premiere, McGee investigating him may finally result in the place opening once more. Parker may begin to see the enchantment of being NCIS Deputy Director after observing how Sweeney operates as FBI Deputy Director and throwing his hat within the ring. Sweeney may find yourself utilizing his authority over Parker one too many instances and trigger Parker to begin working in the direction of being NCIS Deputy Director. It not solely provides drama to their friendship, however it may create pressure between Parker and McGee. With solely 4 episodes into NCIS Season 22, the episodes proceed to generate fascinating theories for the remainder of the season.

NCIS Season 22 airs Monday nights on CBS within the U.S., with new episodes accessible the following day on Paramount+.

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