After 22 seasons, NCIS is set to wrap up a tumultuous season with the finale, “Nexus,” airing Monday, May 5 on CBS. And this time, protagonist Alden Parker (Gary Cole) is facing more than just a case: he’s up against the most dangerous foe of his career—Carla Marino, played by veteran actress Rebecca De Mornay. For years, Carla has been a thorn in Parker’s side, a sworn enemy, a ghost from his past that he can’t shake. Now, as the NCIS team investigates the complex connections between the notorious Nexus Cartel and Carla, they uncover a conspiracy far greater than anything they’ve ever encountered: stolen nuclear material—a threat of global proportions. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that this is not just a smuggling or murder operation, but part of a plan that could cause a biological or nuclear disaster on an unprecedented scale. Faced with this situation, Parker is forced to rethink all moral boundaries – and may have to make the worst choice of his life: join hands with the enemy who destroyed his life in exchange for a chance to prevent the disaster.
Behind-the-scenes images released by CBS have fans even more excited: we see Parker and Carla face off in a room of extreme tension, cold eyes between two people with a long history but now forced to compromise. Meanwhile, Kasie Hines (Diona Reasonover) appears in the lab with a face that shows that she has discovered something groundbreaking, sharing it with McGee (Sean Murray) – who is still facing doubts about the honesty of his superiors. Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) and Knight (Katrina Law) are in a number of action scenes – from chases to interrogations – which shows that the plot is no less intense this time around.
This episode continues the shocking developments from the penultimate episode that aired on April 28, when Deputy Director Jerome Laroche (Seamus Dever) – who was suspected of being a mole for Nexus – was finally arrested. But instead of admitting or denying his guilt, Laroche makes a meaningful remark to McGee: “It’s not about the money… it’s time you knew the truth.” This statement has opened up a series of theories among fans: is there a larger, dark force behind Nexus? Has the NCIS system itself been compromised at the highest levels? And what is really being hidden behind the name of “protecting justice”?
In an interview with TV Insider in March, Diona Reasonover (Kasie) teased that the finale would challenge the internal structure of the NCIS team in ways never before seen: “We may not have the leadership that people are used to. Things are going to change. And I think what’s special about this season is that fans are going to see longer, more layered stories. We’ve heard the voices of the audience – and now it’s time to respond.”
All of this makes “Nexus” more than just a thrilling action-packed season 22 finale. It could be the pivot point for the entire series, where identity, trust, loyalty and truth are all on the line. Parker – who has long been a stalwart – could be shaken. And if the NCIS team loses its leader, or if Carla is more than just a criminal but the keeper of a bigger secret than anyone has ever known – what will become of the entire organization? NCIS has never shied away from dramatic twists and turns, but with what’s being set up, this could be one of the most defining episodes in the hit series’ 22-year history.
