9 burning questions NCIS season 22 needs to answer

Before NCIS Season 22 arrives, here's hoping these big plots can find resolution!
“Reef Madness” – Parker and Knight discover three bodies on an old Navy ship that’s about to be sunk and turned into an artificial reef, when they’re suddenly locked inside by a mysterious figure. Also, Vance offers Knight a unique opportunity, on the 21st season finale of the CBS Original series NCIS, Monday, May 6 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential
“Reef Madness” – Parker and Knight discover three bodies on an old Navy ship that’s about to be sunk and turned into an artificial reef, when they’re suddenly locked inside by a mysterious figure. Also, Vance offers Knight a unique opportunity, on the 21st season finale of the CBS Original series NCIS, Monday, May 6 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential /
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NCIS season 22 is ready to begin production and fans have lots of questions on what can happen!

A quick refresher for the NCIS season 21 finale: Parker and Jessica were stuck on a ship by a killer where a wounded Parker hallucinated a girl named Lily from his past. Meanwhile, Jessica was being offered a big promotion by Vance to REACT Training Officer, which would mean leaving the team and her boyfriend Jimmy. The final scene had Jessica telling Vance she was taking the job. 

So fans have a lot to wonder about season 22. There’s always the typical questions if Gibbs or other past characters can return and what cases are coming but here’s some big questions we hope season 22 can answer!

Jessica Knight and Director Vance talk in an office
“Reef Madness” – Parker and Knight discover three bodies on an old Navy ship that’s about to be sunk and turned into an artificial reef, when they’re suddenly locked inside by a mysterious figure. Also, Vance offers Knight a unique opportunity, on the 21st season finale of the CBS Original series NCIS, Monday, May 6 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. /

Is Jessica really leaving?

Obviously the big question is if Jessica really is leaving the team. There’s no word Katrina Law is departing the show and it’s hard to see her written out so soon yet this is a huge opportunity that Jessica would hate to pass up. Her eagerness to take on that role at the end was clear and seemed set to leave. 

It may only be a temporary situation with Jessica realizing she misses the team. It’s also possible we get the old bit of Jessica deciding she can’t play politics over justice to go back to being a regular agent. Hopefully, this doesn’t mean we truly have seen the last of Jessica. 

Jimmy Palmer smiles while wearing an NCIS ballcap
“Strange Invaders” – After discovering a navy pilot’s body riddled with unusual wounds, NCIS’ investigation draws the team into the rabbit hole of UFO conspiracy theories, on the CBS Original series NCIS, Monday, April 1 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Pictured (L-R): Brian Dietzen as Jimmy Palmer. /

What happens to Jimmy?

Even if Jessica returns, her relationship with Jimmy will take a hit. That Jessica was willing to choose a career over Jimmy and his daughter, even if briefly, is going to be a wedge between them. A reunion is nice, but a long-distance romance can hurt the pair too much to overcome. 

It’d be a hard thing for Jimmy who’s endured the loss of his wife and later mentor Ducky so losing Jess (especially when they have to keep working together) may be too much for the fun medical examiner. Let’s hope this heartbreak isn’t severe. 

Parker stands in a room holding a gun. Kasie is in the doorway behind him.
“Lifeline” – When the NCIS team engages in Walk-A-Mile Day to gain a new perspectives on different departments, things take a turn when Kasie receives a distress call from a mysterious man, on the CBS Original series NCIS, Thursday, Feb. 26 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. /

Who is Parker’s mystery girl?

The big question about Parker is just who is the mystery girl he hallucinated seeing. He claims to have no idea, but it sounds like the next season will delve into his past and childhood. The obvious idea is that she was Parker’s sister, and something happened to her that affected him. 

That could explain more about Parker and how he turned out the way he did, as we don’t know too much about his past. Hopefully season 22 fully explains this girl and her impact on Parker as we also get to learn more on what makes this guy tick. 

Jessica Knight, McGee, and Parker talk in the bullpen.
“Algún Día” – The NCIS team must help Torres when he puts his future at stake by confronting the man who tormented his family when he was a child, on the 21st season premiere of the CBS Original series NCIS, Thursday, Feb. 12 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. /

Can McGee step up more?

A big move for McGee was when Vance was shot, and he had to take up the role of acting director. He did great in the role and it was a testament to how far the former "probie” has come. It's also led to fans wondering if McGee might want more out of the job and maybe take over leadership in the future. If Vance is considering stepping down for good, having McGee as the boss would be a fine way to continue NCIS’ legacy and pay off this character’s development. 

Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David stare at one another in an interrogation room.
“Life Before His Eyes”-- Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo During a routine stop for his morning coffee, Gibbs finds himself face-to-face with the barrel of a gun, which forces him to question choices he has made in the past and present, on the 200th episode of NCIS, Tuesday, Feb. 7 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Photo: Cliff Lipson/CBS ©2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. /

Will we see Tony and Ziva?

With plans for their own spinoff coming, there’s an idea if Tony and Ziva can make some sort of appearance on the main show. It would make sense for an episode to set up the spinoff with Micahel Weatherly and Cote de Pablo briefly showing up to help on a case and that sets up their own adventures. At the least, some sort of crossover can make sense to boost the planned spinoff even more for fans. 

Jared and Parker talk outside of an elevator.
“A Thousand Yards” – NCIS comes under attack by a mysterious enemy from the past. Also, Vance tries to mend fences with his estranged son by explaining why, despite the ongoing dangers of his job, he still chooses to stay at NCIS, on the CBS Original series NCIS, Monday, April 15 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. /

Are Vance and his son on better terms?

The 1000th episode of the NCIS franchise focused on Vance being shot after a fight with his son, Jared. A good part of the episode was how Jared was angry at NCIS over his mom’s death and amazed to see how much they did when their lives were on the line. That seemed to cool things down between him and his dad. 

So it’d be nice to see Jared back and if he and Vance are keeping together, overcoming their past issues and so on. Maybe Jared is being tempted to join the Navy himself, but either way, some focus on Vance is good. 

J. Claude Deering
The Burbank Comedy Festival At Flappers / Michael S. Schwartz/GettyImages

Will Curtis Hubley join the team?

Curtis Hubley (J. Claude Deering) has been a recurring figure on NCIS for a few seasons but has gotten more spotlight in season 21. The seemingly nerdy guy has proven his actual skills and said he was hoping to graduate to a real agent. It might be nice to see him achieve that dream and aid the team more. Imagine McGee with his own “probie” and helping Curtis as the guy has been a fun presence in small roles. Making him a full agent could be a great spark to the team in season 22. 

Tennant and Jesse have their guns drawn.
“Divided We Conquer” – Following a devastating ambush with a deadly bioweapon, the NCIS team must track down a mysterious terrorist group before they can strike again, on the conclusion of the two-part third season finale of the CBS Original series NCIS: HAWAI’I, Monday, May. 6 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. /

What about NCIS: Hawaii?

Fans of NCIS: Hawaii are still steamed at CBS canceling the highly-rated show with no warning. It’s worse given the final left off on a cliffhanger of Tennant discovering her former mentor turned traitor Maggie waiting at home to warn her of a new threat. 

Clearly, the producers had a big plan for season 4, so maybe NCIS season 22 can finish it up. It’d be easy to get the NCIS: Hawaii crew to make some appearances to face this threat and give that show the closure it deserved. If nothing else, at least some explanation of what the NCIS: Hawaii crew is up to would be good. 

Jessica Knight leans her head on Jimmy Palmer's shoulder in the elevator.
“Second Opinion” – NCIS works to solve the murder of a senator’s daughter who has a rebellious reputation and large online following. Also, Jimmy gets competitive with an old college rival, on the CBS Original series NCIS, Monday, May 8 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+*. Pictured: Brian Dietzen as Jimmy Palmer and Katrina Law as NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight. Photo: CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights /

Are there more romances coming? 

Romance and NCIS don’t always go well but besides Jimmy and Jessica, there is the question of any possible romances for the team. Parker seemed to gel with a  surgeon he had to rescue from a hostage situation and there’s some potential it can go further. It’d also be nice for Kasie to get another love interest to get her out of the lab while Torres would be challenged by a more steady love interest than his usual one night stands. McGee, of course, is happily married and we can see more of that family life unfold. Yet the rest of the team can use more in the love department to add some fun to the series. 

So as fans await the return of NCIS, here’s hoping some of these questions get answers. Season 22 will air Mondays at 9/8c on CBS this fall. 

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