NCIS season 22 finally offers substantial information about who Alden Parker’s mystery girl is, who is only known as Lily. The mystery of Lily started in the NCIS season 21 finale, during Jessica Knight and her MCRT boss’ catastrophic time in a defunct vessel that was about to be dropped into the ocean. In an unfortunate turn of events, Parker was injured in his leg, rupturing an artery. While Knight attempted to find a way to get out, her mentor started hallucinating a young girl and calling her Lily. NCIS showed visions of the mystery character running around the ship.
Throughout its time on the air, NCIS tackled countless cases that involved the Navy. While it is technically a procedural, meaning its stories are largely unconnected from week to week, CBS is able to ground its storytelling by also tackling its characters’ personal lives. Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ original MCRT members had various family members get involved in its storytelling, one way or another. There were theories about Parker’s Lily also being related to him, which made sense, considering the nature of his visions of her. That said, NCIS season 22, episode 15, “Moonlight.”
Lily Is Tied To How Parker’s Mom Died In NCIS
The Parkers’ Family History Finally Unfolds
Gary Cole as Alden Parker in NCIS season 22
Some speculations about who Lily really was included that she was Parker’s sister, who may have died from going overboard a ship. This would have explained why she first appeared during Parker’s hallucinations while he was trapped in a similar vessel. It would have also explained why MCRT’s new leader doesn’t like ships in general, as he may have inadvertently blocked that memory. However, the return of Roman Parker, as Parker pokes around the details of his mom’s death. As it turns out, the Parker patriarch has been hiding the truth about the real way that their mother passed away.
According to Roman, Parker’s mom died in a disastrous car crash. During their conversation in NCIS season 22, episode 15, her alcoholism is revealed, and was something that she and her husband always fought about. One night, after an intense fight, she ran out of home and never returned. What Roman never told his kids was that the police informed him that his wife died instantly when her car crashed into a tree. They moved a lot that time, that Parker and his sister never really got to question the specifics of their mother’s death, until now.
As it turns out, Lily was there at the crime scene. A policeman appeared to talk to her while she looked at the wreckage. In the present time, Parker sees a vision of Lily by his side, looking incredibly sad.
This prompts Parker to do some research about any kind of news coverage about his mom’s passing. Browsing through reports online, he finds a photo of the crash. While it doesn’t show the image of his mom, he sees a young girl at the side of the black and white snap. As it turns out, Lily was there at the crime scene. A policeman appeared to talk to her while she looked at the wreckage. In the present time, Parker sees a vision of Lily by his side, looking incredibly sad.
NCIS Season 22 Still Has A Few Unanswered Questions About Lily
Why Lily Appears Before Parker Remains A Mystery
Young Alden Parker and Lily in NCIS season 21
The origins of Lily is finally revealed in NCIS season 22, episode 15, but there are still several questions about her existence. Based on what Parker has found out, it seems like the young girl witnessed the car crash that killed his mom. Because Roman didn’t reveal specific details about his experience actually seeing the wreckage, Parker isn’t able to get any additional information that would reveal the complete story about Lily. Beyond that, it’s also curious why the young girl’s first appearance in NCIS is on a ship.
Finally, it’s also interesting that Parker hallucinates her if he wasn’t even aware of the real reason his mom died. Currently, it appears as if that’s the only connection between them. If this is the first time that Parker learns about his mother’s drunk-driving crash, it doesn’t make sense that he is having visions of Lily — unless they previously had some interaction that he has buried deep in his memory.
What Does Lily’s Identity Mean For The Rest Of NCIS Season 22?
Lily’s Story Will Continue
Moving forward, it’s safe to say that NCIS season 22 will continue to reveal bits and pieces about the complete story of Lily. Finding out how she connects to Parker’s story is a big step, but as previously stated, the procedural leaves several questions regarding her existence. This could lead to Parker digging deeper into his past, which is a good way to further flesh out the character and solidifying his place as Gibbs’ replacement. Perhaps NCIS season 22 could even find a way to tie his personal mystery to one of MCRT’s upcoming cases.
