The legendary partnership between FBI Agent Tobias Fornell and NCIS Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs is poignantly ended in NCIS Season 22, while a new chapter is begun with Special Agent Alden Parker and FBI Deputy Director Wayne Sweeney. Fornell, played by Joe Spano, has been a regular on NCIS since the first episode. He has been in many important episodes and has a unique relationship with Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon. Fans of NCIS have seen less of Fornell since Harmon left in Season 19. This season is a quiet but fitting way to say goodbye to his character.
Fornell was more to Gibbs than just a friend on NCIS. He was a rival, a partner, and a trusted ally. At first, they were rivals in their careers, but as time went on, they became close friends that fans loved. Fornell was a regular guest on high-stakes episodes, like the 200th and 1000th episodes, which made him an even bigger fan favorite. But since Gibbs left, Fornell hasn’t been seen very often, and without Gibbs to play off of, his presence felt empty.
There is a new rivalry between Parker and Sweeny.
This season of NCIS changes the relationship between Special Agent Alden Parker (Gary Cole) and FBI Deputy Director Wayne Sweeney (Erik Passoja). The way they talk to each other is a lot like how Gibbs and Fornell first met, but with a twist. While Gibbs and Fornell had an equal amount of power, Parker and Sweeney have an imbalance of power because Sweeney is higher up in the FBI. This tension makes things interesting and puts Parker in tough spots as he tries to live up to NCIS’s values while dealing with his past with the FBI.
In Season 22, Episode 4, Parker and Sweeney argue about a possible international crisis. This is similar to the argument Gibbs and Fornell had about who had the right to make decisions. At the end of the episode, there is a hint of mutual respect between Parker and Sweeney, which suggests that they might become friends at work, similar to how Gibbs and Fornell used to work together.
Joe Spano and the rest of the NCIS team haven’t officially said that Fornell is leaving, but Season 22 pays tribute to his memory in a thoughtful way. Fornell is still a part of the show, and Parker and Sweeney’s new rivalry has a lot of the same elements as his relationship with Gibbs. The show keeps changing, which keeps long-time viewers interested while also honoring characters who were important to its success.
With Fornell stepping back, NCIS adds fresh layers to Parker’s character, exploring his own path as a leader. Fans can follow Parker’s journey this season, which reminds us that NCIS knows how to keep the stories and relationships interesting even when new characters come into the picture.
Monday nights are NCIS Season 22 nights on CBS. You can also watch it the next day on Paramount+.
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