“Prodigal Son (Part 1)” – Reeling from his father’s murder, Parker goes to extreme lengths to hunt down the woman he holds responsible, mob boss Carla Marino, jeopardizing not only his own future but the team’s, on part one of the 23rd season premiere of NCIS, Tuesday, Oct. 14 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode

“Prodigal Son (Part 1)” – Reeling from his father’s murder, Parker goes to extreme lengths to hunt down the woman he holds responsible, mob boss Carla Marino, jeopardizing not only his own future but the team’s, on part one of the 23rd season premiere of NCIS, Tuesday, Oct. 14 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode

After a long summer, we now have a little bit more of an idea of what to expect when NCIS Season 23 premieres on CBS. The network revealed the synopses for various of its returning fall 2025-2026 television shows, including NCIS.

Season 22 ended with Agent Alden Parker (Gary Cole) going up against his nemesis, Carla Marino. After being abducted and let go by Carla, Parker thought he was in the clear. However, things came to a head when Parker found his father dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Parker figured out pretty quickly who the culprit was upon spotting a wine glass with lipstick on it.

Titled “The Prodigal Son,” the season premiere is part one of a two-parter, and it follows Parker as he goes to great lengths to find Marino, whom he holds responsible for the murder of his father, Roman.

This isn’t entirely brand-new information, but it does confirm that Parker is certain Marino took his father’s life since she holds Parker responsible for her son’s death.

In the meantime, the episode will also introduce us to Parker’s sister, Harriet, played by actress Nancy Travis. As previously reported, the two will butt heads much like they did when they were kids, with Harriet being described as the good kid while Parker had tendencies to get in trouble.

Through the investigation, Parker will put his own future in jeopardy, as well as those of his colleagues. Despite being a two-parter, fans will have to wait another week before finding out what happens in the second episode.

In addition to the new information from the synopsis, we do know from the season 22 finale that medical examiner Jimmy Palmer found out some information regarding Parker’s mother’s death. Even though we might find out what that is, it could take a backseat during Parker’s father’s murder investigation.

Despite having the synopsis, we still have less than two months until NCIS Season 23 premieres on CBS. Plus, instead of airing on its normal Monday nights, the entire NCIS franchise has moved to Tuesdays. This is likely due to CBS cancelling the two FBI spinoffs that originally held the Tuesday lineup before FBI took the show’s original time slot. This will mark the first time CBS has a night of NCIS shows, and we’re eager to see how it’ll impact ratings.

NCIS Season 23 premieres Tuesday, October 14 at 8/7c. While we wait for the show to return, you can catch up on previous episodes on Paramount+.