For years, NCIS showed off the strength of its ensemble cast, especially early in Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon) era, and after 12 years, it finally seems to have its magic back. NCIS season 23, which is slated to begin during CBS’ October premiere week, will highlight a whole new team dynamic thanks to Gibbs’ replacement, Alden Parker (Gary Cole).
While some viewers have struggled with losing Gibbs on NICS, others have found the new era of the series to be a breath of fresh air. Many have been curious about the way that the team itself has functioned in the last few seasons, especially after a stretch of over 10 years that saw major cast members leave the series behind.
After losing Harmon during NCIS season 19, viewers took stock of what was left of the MCRT. Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), two of the most notable NCIS characters, left years prior to Harmon, and the dynamic between their characters, Gibbs, and Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) has long been held as the NCIS gold standard.
Thankfully, under Parker’s leadership, the dynamics on NCIS have been changing for the better.
The Current NCIS Team Under Parker Is The Best Since The Gibbs/Tony/Ziva/McGee Era
Torres, Knight, & McGee Work Well With Parker
Michael Weatherly as Anthony DiNozzo, Cote de Pablo as Ziva David, Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and Pauley Perrette as Abby Sciuto in NCIS. The team stands around as Abby talks and gestures with her hands.
Although the years that Gibbs, Tony, Ziva, and McGee worked together on critical cases were incredible for NCIS, their dynamic was never going to be able to last forever. For years, the team was able to take on high-profile cases and handle them with expertise, all while dealing with personality clashes and a hard-won sense of loyalty to one another.
While other agents came into the mix and left in turn, the chemistry between the group was able to move NCIS viewers week after week, and things shifted when de Pablo left the series after NCIS season 11. When things reset after Gibbs’ departure, viewers struggled to see a way any team could compare.
Thankfully, the mix of Parker working with McGee, Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), and Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) has done well for the series. Creating a new sense of the team dynamic, each agent brings a different element into the mix in order to balance one another out. Developing a rhythm, things feel natural in a way reminiscent of Gibbs’ golden era team.
Parker Has Forged His Agents Into A True Ride-Or-Die NCIS Team
The Team Is Finally Gelling In An Interesting Way
stills of ncis season 22 episode 10
The MCRT’s current lineup has been fascinating to watch as they move through their most difficult moments because they’re able to function as a unit. Parker operates differently than Gibbs, and while the original MCRT leader was able to create a great team, seeing Parker’s tactics makes it clear that he’s a leader fit for the role he’s currently in.
Encouraging the MCRT to work more collaboratively, Parker has been able to forge different relationships with his team members than Gibbs could. While some fans haven’t taken to Parker in the same way they did to Gibbs, others have acknowledged the change is a positive one. NCIS’ current group has a genuine dynamic that’s helped rebuild the show’s most important aspect.
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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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