Spoilers ahead for NCIS Season 22.NCIS Season 22 proves how much Alden Parker (Gary Cole) resonated with his new team, entirely replacing Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon). Special Agent Parker has only been with the team for three years in NCIS season 22, and yet he successfully led McGee (Sean Murray), Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), and the rest of the team in solving complicated cases. A scene involving Special Agent Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) in NCIS The season 22 premiere, however, solidifies Cole’s character as the proper new leader of the MCRT.
Suffice to say, Parker’s predecessor was difficult to replace. Gibbs was the face of the series for 19 years until Mark Harmon NCIS leaving in season 19, beginning a new era of leadership. Knowing that whoever replaced Gibbs would be held to a high standard, NCIS I haven’t tried replacing it. Instead, Parker took over after being fired from the FBI for helping Gibbs. The new leader subverted the Agent in Charge’s leadership qualities and introduced a more thoughtful and relaxed management style into the NCIS bullpen.
Knight brings candy to his subordinates, just like Parker does with MCRT
Parker brings the MCRT goodies
As MCRT supervisory agent, Parker brings his team candy in the morning to start their day. This trait initially surprised the team, as Gibbs maintained a rigid leadership style that allowed little room for informal conversations and casual beginnings. In NCIS season 19, episode 6, “False Start”, Parker left his team a box of Polish kolaczki cookies with a note that said: “Help yourselves!” Agent Torres was skeptical of the treats and thought it was all a mind game due to conditioning from being on Gibbs’ team.
Knight oversees a group of interns as the REACT Training Director at Camp Pendleton and brings team members a candy box full of protein treats.
Jessica Knight, who had been with MCRT for less than a year in Season 19, thought Parker’s gesture was cool. In the Season 22 premiere, Knight oversees a group of trainees as the REACT Training Director at Camp Pendleton and brings her team members a box full of protein candy. Knight’s actions are a prominent example of Parker’s impact. When she has her own team, she follows his leadership style, highlighting how much her former boss influenced her.
Knight following Parker’s leadership quirks proves he’s totally replaced Gibbs
Knight models his leadership after Parker
Nick’s assumptions represent the impact Gibbs had on his agents after his retirement in season 19. Gibbs never brought treats, so the team had a hard time adapting to Parker’s new style. However, the team has come full circle, even anticipating Parker’s candy. In NCIS season 21, when Parker was in poor health, the team craved his sweets but were subjected to wheatgrass injections instead. Knight’s actions in NCIS season 22 proves the team has overcome Gibbs’ more rigid leadership styleand Parker imbued his team with a more relaxed quality.
Several years have passed since Gibbs retired to Alaska, where he still is. Although he is always touted as a legend of the agency, Knight taking advantage of Parker’s leadership quirk in NCIS season 22 and the rest of the team getting used to the way he does things professionally is an indication that he has made this team completely his own. Considering Gibbs’ commitment to justice and responsibility, it’s safe to say he won’t have any qualms about it.