NCIS Finale Recap: The Ex Factor — Plus, Jess and Jimmy Make a Decision
This Monday night in the NCIS Season 19 finale, Parker got a blast from his past, while Jimmy and Jessica grappled with the future.
The finale opened with a birdwatcher/photographer laying witness to a woman (played by The Fosters‘ Teri Polo) being abducted along her jogging route by a masked man –except, based on texts he then received/sent, the photog was expecting this.
When the alarming photos are anonymously emailed to NCIS, Kasie is able to ID the woman as Vivian Kolchak, a former FBI agent — just as Parker walks in to discover his ex-wife’s face plastered on the monitor! As the team buckles down to locate Parker’s ex ASAP, it is gleaned that the photog was, Frank Ressler, a former G-man himself — Parker’s disgraced former partner, in fact. But by the time the team closes in on Ressler, his has been murdered, in his garage. Parker confessed that he had come looking for his former partner the night before, but no one was home — a claim that starts to look shaky when Parker’s DNA is found under Ressler’s fingernails.
Having been benched earlier by Vance, Parker is brought into NCIS for questioning as a murder suspect, though Vance and McGee obviously don’t really think he offed Ressler. Vance agrees to “forget” the number for the DOJ for 48 hours, while the team investigates what’s really going on. To that end, Jessica and Nick question Vivian, who managed to escape her captors and flag down a passing motorist. Her faintly remembered clues lead the team to an abandoned pet store, where Jess and Nick find confirmation that Vivian had been held there — along with a scrawled “NEVERMORE,” as in calling card of the vexing “Raven” adversary who taunted NCIS earlier in the season.
FBI Deputy Director Sweeney storms NCIS with two agents, looking to bring in Parker, but Vance insists he doesn’t know where Alden is. Meanwhile, Jess, Nick and Tim see off Parker, who has a go bag and is sneaking away with Vivian for the time being, to where they spent their honeymoon. But as Vivian fishes in the backseat for an old mix tape of theirs, we see her secretly text a mysterious someone, “It’s done. I have him.”
Elsewhere in the finale, the distribution of new disclosure forms at the office led to Jess seeing that Jimmy had listed her as a “workplace relationship.” When Jimmy was finally able to explain himself, he pretends to dismiss their time spent together as just “a couple of coffee dates, right?” But Jess counters that amid the kind of year we’ve had, “Why deny the good? And we have something good… don’t we?” As they inch closer, Jimmy asks if what they have is worth “disclosing,” and is cued to pull Jess in for a kiss to find out — after which she asks for another, “to be sure.”
What did you think of this largely Gibbs-less Season 19? Vote in the poll below, then weigh in on the finale’s twists both ominous and romantic.
Considering the track record this show has had with relationships and having the main characters only kiss right before the female character is written off the show, I was very suprised they actually went for it and changed the pattern. Not sure how everyone else feels, but I’m here for it.
Always enjoyed Mark Harmon as an actor, back to The Presidio, and earlier. But we all know Gibb’s backstory after umpteen years. Gary Cole brings a refreshing new presence to the team. I think it has given the show years more life.
Part of me wonders if this storyline would set up an appearance from Gibbs or Fornell (maybe both) next season. It could also be wishful thinking but it would be a great means having Gibbs pop up to help Parker and the team out like they helped him before.
I like the idea of Palmer and Knight giving it a go. The growth of Palmer over the seasons has been really well done. He has become that go to confidant that can help get through to the team members when struggling. So seeing him get a chance at some happy makes me happy.
I almost forgot to mention that I loved the appearance from Ducky and his bringing his forensic psychology to aid the team and remind them of who they are in terms of not giving up on Parker.
Also cheering McGee citing the rules and telling Parker he’d send him the lost. I still miss Gibbs but I do like what Palmer has brought to the table. He’s now family and is about to really learn what that means with the team.
And just as a refresher.
The cited rules:
Rule 5: Don’t waste good.
Rule 8: Don’t take anything for granted.
Rule 15: Always work as a team.
Parker may not know the rules yet, but I think there’s definitely more to it than him and his ex-wife driving off into the sunset (he knows something is up).
Thank you for the rules! I’m happy the team still uses them. I think Parker’s ex-wife is recurring next season.
See for me this looked like a lead up to Tony Dinozzo aka Michael Weatherly and Ziva coming back! Which also has been rumored all around the internet to possibly happen! I think that would be awesome!
I’ve been watching Bull and it’s o.k but would much rather see Michael Weatherly as DiNozzo. He’s rather a stuffed shirt as Bull, including his body, gained a .ot of weight.
Had a strong feeling that The Raven was going to be involved in this when the episode title “Birds of a Feather” was announced. After all ,The Raven (intro’d in episode 13 “The Helpers”)was too dramatic a storyline to have just been dropped from coming up again.Altogether it was a well-done episode.The entire cast got to have their own moments to shine. I liked the way the show handled the twist of Vivian ‘s storyline. I’m hoping Sweeny is just a real vindictive jerk and not part of Raven since it would be too obvious. Nice cliffhanger! Looking forward to Season 20.
I just can’t say how much I enjoyed the episode and the way the season turned out. Not many shows can reinvent themselves like this one has. The writing and acting continue to make this my must watch show. Looking forward to many more seasons to come.
Jimmy and Jessica’s budding romance is something I can really root for. It’s about time Jimmy got more screen time. I enjoy his character. As for Parker, he’s proven to be a very viable replacement for Gibbs. Love the show, always been a big fan. Now an even bigger fan, due to the romantic elements introduced this season.
Just the opposite for me, mainly because I dislike Katrina Law from various Hallmark movies. She has a sneer that I find off putting. Love the Jimmy Palmer character.
I think it was a good season. Gary Cole and his character Parker, is a nice fit. Of course I miss Gibbs but that won’t stop me from watching. And I am totally down for a Jessica-Jimmy relationship.
Love Gary Cole in every role…he’s good.
And give that man a Hair Emmy! 👨🦳😎👍
Agree that he has great hair! (the hair emmy comment)And he has brought lot to the characters he’s played..
Didn’t like Gary Cole on Chicago Fire and he has that arrogance here also.
Miss Gibbs, like Parker (get rid of beard) really ages him. No question Jimmy can find a good looking intelligent woman, No doubt. However,Jess, completely out of his league.
I kind of like the Jess/Palmer relationship. Feels like “nerdy guy gets mega-babe” wish fulfillment. Big Bang Theory 2.0
I miss Leroy Jethro Gibbs…He “IS” NCIS!!! Need him back for this beloved series to continue! Have never missed a show with Gibbs, but, now, with the other guy, not so important ! No one has Mark Harmon’s STYLE!!! Thank you.
Agree 100%
Agreed 👍💯
I have always enjoyed Gary Cole but I miss Gibbs. It would be so nice if he could show up every so often like Fornell. It would be a bonus to have Gibbs team up with Marcie to find Parker.
I must admit I was heartbroken when Gibbs left but it mended quickly as Gary Cole is one of my favorite actors. A tribute to the producers and writers for keeping this show a #1 program even with the shift of the leading actors.
It was great seeing Ducky with a major role in this week’s episode.
It was disappointing to see the season end with yet another cliffhanger.
Her whole escape story seemed sort of fishy from the start. And them going into hiding using her Mercedes that she was just allegedly kidnapped in struck me as a bit silly.
Ha! My immediate thought when I saw they were driving the same Mercedes was how easily it could be ID’d and followed by both NCIS and any other party (including the Raven group) -but perhaps that might be the point.As Ducky concluded in his profiling the Raven is motivated and hyped up to seek ways to toy with their target prolonging a kind of cat-and-mouse game.
Yeah, Casey definitely put a tracker on at the very least. Wouldn’t surprise me if there were more. Especially if they have any doubt of her innocence. He proposed going to a specific location. He probably left something as a clue for just in case.
Amazing just how much Gary Cole sounds like Mark Harmon. He’s doing a great job. Love Ducky reappearing. Also, that Jimmy and Jessica have a relationship. He is due.
Disagree. But appreciate your opinion. No one can follow Mark Harman’s ‘Gibbs’ gracefully.
It would be sooooo cool if Parker’s ex was actually communicating with Gibbs via text messages….
I am sorry he’s leaving ,but I am sure he had a good reason.I am sure we will see him someplace else soon.
Are you referring to Gary Cole (Alden Parker)? Id so,I can 100% guarantee you he is not leaving NCIS. Not only is he confirmed to be on the NCIS Season 20 cast NCIS Showrunner Binder has already talked about plans for his character next Season.
It took me a bit to realize the Parker ex-wife was Terri Polo… Loved her as Jimmy Smits wife late in West Wing…
As long as all the NCIS stay, I don’t really care who is the
“BIG GUY” is.
Agreed. I miss Bishop, but they’ve replaced some of the ones I didn’t care for over the years i. e. Lauren Holly, Pauly Perrette and Michael Weatherly.
I am glad that Bishop is gone…she was not a good fit! I do still miss DiNozo, Ziva and Abby
I have been pleasantly surprised how much I like Gary Cole’s character on NCIS. He brings a completely different vibe to the show, is a different kind of leader than Gibbs, and I agree he’s given the whole thing a new life.
Palmer has come a long way since his newbie days, and he and Knight together are such a cute potential couple.
I don’t watch this low grade show. CBS can do better
Then why read articles about it, let alone comment?
I really like Alden Parks. Mark Harmon was phoning it in for years. His personality was unpleasant. It feel like the show is fresh again. It’s less predictable. And let’s face it, Gibbs was getting too old for all that action.
I love NCIS. but I really really really miss gibbs. one of the reasons that i keep on watching is just in case he makes a cameo or decides to come back. fingers crossed for season 20!
Gary Cole is not the actor Mark Harmon is. He acts like he’s reading his lines from a cue card. Sorry, Gary. But Gibbs is a tough act to follow.