The NCIS season 21 finale featured a smaller case, but it introduced a brand new mystery about the identity of a mystery girl named Lily and how she connects to Alden Parker. CBS’ top-rated police procedural may have had a significantly shorter season, but a lot has happened to the NCIS Major Case Response Team during the year. The premiere saw Nick Torress get arrested and then exonerated for murder charges, followed by the death of Ducky Mallard, which saw the return of Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo. Meanwhile, NCIS’ 1000th episode put Director Leon Vance’s life in danger.
As it caps off the year, NCIS season 21 goes for a quieter finale, with a straightforward case. Parker and his team respond to the discovery of several bodies aboard a ship that is about to be an artificial reef. While the case of the week isn’t exactly memorable, it’s what happens outside of it that makes the finale a good one. Jess Knight faces a major crossroads when she is offered a job elsewhere that would pull her out of DC. This is followed by Parker’s near-death experience that lays the foundation for further exploring his history.
Lily Is Likely Parker’s Late Sister In NCIS.
Parker Hallucinates As He Loses Blood In The NCIS Season 21 Finale.
As he and Knight get stuck in the ship in the NCIS season 21 finale, “Reef Madness,” things become more complicated when Parker finds out that he is bleeding in the leg. Both realize that it’s a ruptured artery, putting them on a ticking clock. As Knight finds a way to get out, her boss starts to hallucinate, calling someone named Lily. NCIS shows his visions of a young girl running around and transitioning to what appears to be a memory from his childhood of him playing with her. Later, Parker claims, however, that he doesn’t remember any of it.
There are a couple of reasons why Parker claims that he doesn’t remember calling Lily. Firstly, he may simply be lying, not wanting to talk about the incident. Secondly, it may be a repressed traumatic memory, hence why he doesn’t have any recollection of it.
Despite this, the girl was likely Parker’s sister, who died a long time ago. Considering his repeated reminder that he doesn’t like ships, the tragedy of Lily’s demise may be tied to this. Based on Parker’s visions, it’s either she fell overboard or something else, and he may have something to do with it. There are a couple of reasons why Parker claims that he doesn’t remember calling Lily. Firstly, he may simply be lying, not wanting to talk about the incident. Secondly, it may be a repressed traumatic memory, hence why he doesn’t have any recollection of it.
What Lily’s Mystery Means For Parker’s NCIS Season 22 Story
Parker’s Family History May Be A Focal Point In NCIS Season 22.
While Parker says that he doesn’t know anyone Lily, it doesn’t mean that the police procedural is just dropping that plot like that. If anything, this experience is a set-up to further delve into the character’s past. While he isn’t as mysterious as Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs, Parker’s past can be a wealth of storytelling opportunities for NCIS. Starting with his history is a great way to do that, especially since almost everyone on the current roster has already had to deal with a family issue or two.
One of the ways the long-running CBS show has been able to stand the test of time is by featuring heroes that are properly developed. As the new leader of the team, it only makes sense that Parker gets a personal arc tackled at some point in NCIS season 22. This may be a launching pad for whatever the future holds for him. Regardless, these types of storylines have always been compelling, and they get the viewers more emotionally invested in these players.