Technology is both a blessing and a curse, and old memories can haunt you, especially when they’re the kind you can’t talk about!
Seriously, what the hell just happened on NCIS Season 22, Episode 8? Just when we’re about to get a breakthrough on the mysterious “Lily,” Parker is thrown another curveball.
We’ve been piecing together the puzzle of this little ghost girl haunting Parker’s mind, but when he finally reaches out to “welcome her in” as Dr. Grace suggested, Lily runs away.
But she leaves behind a chilling note that reads: “You can’t tell anyone.” Parker is left standing there, confused and uncertain of what to do next.
So now, the big question is: will Parker keep this secret to himself, as the note suggests?
Or will he open up to Dr. Grace — or someone else — about what’s going on?
We can all guess where this might go, but before we dive deeper into that, let’s talk about this week’s case.
While it was an interesting mystery in its own right, it also tied into Lily’s storyline in more ways than one.
We all know that technology is a double-edged sword. It connects us in ways we never thought possible, but it also opens the door to vulnerability.
This week, Lt. Winslow wasn’t killed by a hacker but by his wife, Ashley, and her lawyer boyfriend, Cliff, who stole hacker tech from one of Cliff’s clients.
Why did they do it? Ashley wanted out of her marriage to Winslow, but the prenup meant the only way she’d get any of his money was if he was dead. So, they made it happen.
The fun part of how the team cracked the case was thanks to Kasie, who turned the stolen hacker tech against the duo with McGee at the wheel, so to speak.
McGee got to have some fun with it, digging back into his “McGeek” roots (we saw that on NCIS Season 22 Episode 7, too, but I don’t think it was as big a “rush” as this was.)
But, seriously, though, it’s time for McGee to get back to his story with LaRoche.
The writers have so much to work with here — both for Timothy McGee as a character and for Sean Murray as an actor.
His experience and years with NCIS should put him front and center.
McGee’s been sidelined more lately, spending more time with Jimmy and Kasie than with the rest of the team. It’s time he got the recognition he’s earned.
Speaking of the team, seeing how supportive they were of Parker and his mysterious “Lily” dilemma was heartwarming.
Jimmy and Kasie were a little over the top with their attempts to reassure him, almost acting like they were trying to sell Dr. Grace as some sort of miracle worker based on their own experiences with her.
(I think they’re just a little out of place and should be used more sparingly because they were trying a little too hard with this one. They’re not cute, no matter how hard they try.)
But Torres, on the other hand, surprised me.
Torres nearly lost his life thanks to Parker’s erratic driving when Lily appeared while Parker was taking Torres, Jess, and himself to follow up on something.
Despite that close call, Torres didn’t berate Parker for not apologizing. Instead, he understood.
Parker realized he needed help to ensure he wouldn’t put anyone in danger again, and when he did apologize, Torres didn’t make him feel worse.
He’s been through his own struggles, so he gets it. His response to Parker was genuinely touching: “I got your back.” It’s moments like these that make you feel like Parker has found his place with this team.
Torres also asked Kasie to speak to him like he was Gibbs because all the tech jargon goes right over his head, and he just wants it in plain English.
It’s clear that Gibbs still holds a special place in his heart, but it’s also evident that Parker has found his own spot there, too. And I’m there for it because I was really unsure for a while whether Torres was all in with Parker or not.
The whole team rallying around Parker was a nice touch — well, everyone except McGee, who seemed strangely detached from it all. It’s odd, right? Is he planning to leave the team?
Now, let me tell you something.
Music plays a massive role in setting the tone for key moments on TV, and if the music during that scene with Parker and Jess in the office is any indication, I think we all know who Parker is likely going to talk to about that note.
It’s not going to be Dr. Grace. Oh, he’ll talk to her again (maybe about his mother), but not about that note.
No, Parker is going to confide in Jess. The entire scene in the office was telling.
The swelling music and his “touched by an angel” moment when he revealed he knew Jess shared with Dr. Grace his belief in angels — something he told her when they were trapped on that ship last season — were huge clues.
It wasn’t just a passing comment.
It resonated with him, almost like he was surprised she didn’t think he was “woo-woo” as he said earlier to Dr. Grace.
Honestly, I thought Parker was going to ask her out right there. And honestly, I think she was waiting for it.
She may have said she wasn’t going to pry anymore, but her care for Parker goes beyond just coworker-to-coworker concern. She likes him. And there’s no denying that Parker feels the same way.
He’s patient, we know that, but the spark between them is undeniable.
Even if I’m just hoping that spark will catch fire, that music swell? It’s the biggest giveaway. It’s like The Thorn Birds music, people — definitely a tell.
But let’s talk about Dr. Grace for a minute. Parker wasn’t too thrilled with her prying into his relationship with his mother, but it’s clear he knows deep down that this is something he has to confront eventually.
The mystery of his mother’s history is definitely one to watch unfold, but what really stands out is that surprising moment when Parker kissed Dr. Grace on the head as he left the coffee shop.
It caught them both off guard, and it shows that something is opening up in him.
While he probably doesn’t see Dr. Grace as a romantic partner between Lily and Jess, Parker is definitely experiencing a shift.
As a side note, when Dr. Grace suggested Parker welcome Lily in the next time she appears, he told her he wasn’t into that “woo-woo” stuff.
I couldn’t help but think it was a nod to Cole’s American Gothic days because that show was as “woo-woo” as it gets.
On a final note, Dr. Grace also asked Parker to try to track when Lily shows up to see if there’s a connection to what triggers her appearance.
You know what triggers Lily to show up? Jess! Yep, we cracked the code, Parker. Jess is his Lily.
And if we want to dig a little deeper, maybe that “You can’t tell anyone” note Lily left behind isn’t just about keeping secrets — maybe it’s about Parker’s hidden feelings for Jess.
While Parker doesn’t fully understand it yet, I have a feeling he will open up to her about everything because he won’t be able to help himself.
I have to say, if this storyline goes in that direction, I’m all in. The chemistry between Parker and Jess is undeniable, but it’s definitely going to be complicated.
And speaking of complicated, let’s talk about the car scene.
Did anyone else get a love triangle vibe when Jess showed up uninvited to join Parker and Torres on their case?
This was the same scene where Parker almost crashed the car because he saw Lily standing on the sidewalk — because, of course, Jess was there again!
If that’s the direction this goes, well, Torres might not be so quick to have Parker’s back anymore.
Now, I’m passing the baton to you. What did you think of this hour? Is there a connection between Lily and Jess?
Do you think there are sparks between Parker and Jess? Could a love triangle with Torres be on the horizon?
And what about McGee? Are you satisfied with how his character is being treated this season? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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