While NCIS season 23 has only just begun, the show’s premiere episode made it clear that there’s more to come in the realm of character-driven story, which is a much needed shift for the long-running series. NCIS season 23 sees the show entering a different era, as the series has brought more into its makeup surrounding Agent Alden Parker (Gary Cole), giving things a personal edge.
While NCIS has move through personal stories in the past, the series has long stuck to its plot-driven storylines to move the show forward. With the series having blended case-of-the-week storytelling with a layer of intrigue that other procedurals don’t often approach, NCIS season 23 is shifting its focus somewhat more inward after years of a different style of narrative.
Promising a departure from the way the show’s been in the past, NCIS season 23’s premiere built on that promise using Parker’s search for his father’s killer as a springboard for exploring loss, guilt, and fractured family ties. Bringing his sister Harriet Parker (Nancy Travis) into the fold, the tease of the season premiere is a bold move in the right direction.
NCIS’ Showrunner Teased A More Character-Driven Path For Season 23
In Post-Finale Discussions, Steven D. Binder Promised More Depth
Parker wearing an NCIS hat in an episode of NCIS
Prior to the premiere of NCIS season 23, showrunner Steven D. Binder opened up about shifting the tone of the long-running show in order to make it more sustainable in the future. Revealing that he and the writers had plans to make things more character driven, Binder shared that he wanted to reframe the series in order to up the intensity.
NCIS season 23’s initial episode made it clear that Binder is going to deliver on his teasing promise, opening up with an intense follow up to the fallout of NCIS season 22’s finale. With Parker working hard to avenge his father, the premiere flashes back to his troubled youth and makes it clear that the core drama of the season will be character focused.
NCIS’ Refocus Allows The Show To Explore New Depths
A New Focal Point Allows The Series To Branch Out
Parker and Knight in NCISCBS/MovieStillsDB
Although NCIS has gradually been shifting its perspective for years after the departure of Mark Harmon, who played Leroy Jethro Gibbs, seeing it play out with Parker’s storyline marks a big change for the series. Binder’s promise that the tone of NCIS would be shifting makes way for a whole new style of story, especially when it comes to the characters the series has developed for years.
As Parker’s story becomes more complicated, being more character-driven will allow NCIS to explore more emotional depths, especially with his personal story unraveling throughout the next stretch of episodes. Changing the narrative tone of NCIS may be difficult for the show to accomplish so long into its run, but the series’ loyal fanbase seems ready for anything when it comes to the MCRT.
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Release Date
September 23, 2003
Showrunner
Donald P. Bellisario
Directors
Dennis Smith, Terrence O’Hara, Tony Wharmby, James Whitmore Jr., Thomas J. Wright, Michael Zinberg, Arvin Brown, Rocky Carroll, Diana Valentine, Leslie Libman, Tawnia McKiernan, Colin Bucksey, William Webb, Bethany Rooney, Alrick Riley, Jeff Woolnough, Alan J. Levi, Lionel Coleman, Martha Mitchell, Peter Ellis, Michael Weatherly, Edward Ornelas, Stephen Cragg, Tom Wright
Writers
George Schenck, Frank Cardea, Jesse Stern, John C. Kelley, Jennifer Corbett, Christopher Silber, Reed Steiner, Nicole Mirante-Matthews, Jack Bernstein, Scott J. Jarrett, Matthew R. Jarrett, Kimberly-Rose Wolter, Don McGill, Gil Grant, Frank Military, Nell Scovell, Steven Kriozere, Brian Dietzen, Kate Torgovnick May, Jeff Vlaming, Sydney Mitchel, Katie White, Richard C. Arthur, Laurence Walsh
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Sean Murray
Timothy McGee
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David McCallum
Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard
