Despite the case-of-the-week structure, each season of NCIS has had an overarching story, and Season 22 set up the tantalizing potential for an NCIS mole alongside a formidable season villain. From the very first episode, the MCRT were acutely aware of the possibility of a mole having infiltrated the bureau after one of their very own, Agent Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), had his cover blown while scoping out the Nexus cartel. Although no one knew exactly who the mole could be, Agent McGee (Sean Murray) had strong suspicions throughout this season, keeping one eye trained on the bureau’s newest deputy director, LaRoche (Seamus Dever). This conflict comes to a head in the season finale, as the two warring agents confront each other and confessions start pouring out of the mysterious deputy director.
LaRoche Is Actually an Undercover Agent in ‘NCIS’ Season 22
Season 22’s penultimate episode saw McGee trying to clean up his own messes by hunting down a running LaRoche. When he finally finds him, LaRoche enigmatically kills the guy he seems to be working with to save McGee’s life, only for the two agents to stare each other down, guns raised. As the rest of the team comes pummeling in, LaRoche is cornered. He confesses to ratting Torres’ cover out, but it turns out it was to gain the trust of the cartel so he could become a double agent for the Department of Justice. As such, LaRoche is now clear of any wrongdoing, and NCIS can breathe easy knowing they don’t have a high-level leak.
However, with Laroche’s own cover busted, the DOJ now has to rely on NCIS to apprehend the elusive Nexus cartel and its leader, leading to the team’s investigation. Their only real connection is now Carla Marino (Rebecca De Mornay), much to Parker’s (Gary Cole) dismay, which leads to them uncovering a white supremacist group called “Messiahs of Purity” that inform them that the cartel wanted to use the uranium they stole for themselves, not to sell. This makes the cartel so much more dangerous, especially since their motives are still unclear by the end of the finale.
Laroche’s reveal also instigated his decision to leave the team, which opened up the position of deputy director that McGee had applied for at the start of the season. While Season 22 hasn’t confirmed if McGee will be applying for the position, or is even still interested in it, the finale ends with the potential of professional growth for NCIS’ longest-serving cast member.
Marino’s connection to Nexus, even LaRoche and her shared history with Parker, have all been very murky until now. The NCIS Season 22 finale gears up for its second twist as the team reluctantly work with her, and they discover that Marino is actually the elusive leader of the cartel. LaRoche was unaware of Marino’s true position in the cartel despite working with her several times, and thus it came as a shock to everyone to know how much power she truly wielded. Last time we met her, they were unable to convict Marino of any crimes as her lackeys would always take the fall, making her essentially untouchable. Now we also know about her ambitions in the criminal world and her unknown need for uranium, making Marino a dangerous villain who is still at large by the end of the season.
Marino’s history with Parker was also cleared up. We knew that back in Parker’s FBI days, he had relentlessly hunted Marino down but could never quite catch her. Marino’s appearance back in Parker’s life was unexpected but secretly intentional. In the finale, Marino takes Parker to a rural road where her son died in a tragic motorcycle accident, something she blamed Parker for. Back in the day, frustrated about his team’s inability to catch Marino, Parker had told her son about the extent of his mother’s criminal activities, leading him to run away with his motorcycle, which is when he had his accident. As such, Marino had purposefully stalked her way back into Parker’s life with a personal vendetta in hand. Despite getting him alone and having him at her mercy, Marino doesn’t kill Parker. Instead, she has something far more devastating planned.
Alden’s Family Is Under Threat in the ‘NCIS’ Season 22 Finale
Gary Cole as Parker in NCIS Season 22 finale.Image via CBS
Throughout the season, Parker’s personal storyline involved visions of a mysterious young girl called Lily, which he started getting after the boat incident in the Season 21 finale. After talking to the NCIS counselor, he is urged to speak to his father about his mother, and eventually, asks Palmer (Brian Dietzen) to find his mother’s new gravesite, which had been moved. In the NCIS Season 22 finale, Palmer reveals that he has finally completed Parker’s personal request, but also says that there is something strange about it. While he doesn’t reveal any exact details so far, the fact that there is something off about Parker’s mother’s grave becomes ominous in light of the closing sequence.
We find out why Marino decided not to exact her revenge directly on Parker. As Parker returns home, he finds his father sitting on the couch dead. Next to him are two glasses of wine, suggesting he was murdered, but there is a lipstick mark on one, strongly hinting that it was Carla who was responsible for this. Parker crumbles to the floor, screaming in grief as he sees the lifeless form of his dad. Although there isn’t any confirmation that Carla was behind this, it would certainly be an effective way to wreak vengeance on Parker — a loved one for a loved one. As such, NCIS wraps up another season, this time with the bitter taste of death lingering in our mouths and the promise of a truly intimidating villain.
