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NCIS Season 22's season finale did not hold back. It was full of intense emotions, dramatic repercussions, and one clear revelation—Carla Marino, played by Rebecca De Mornay, will return as the chief baddie in Season 23. The story concluded with a professional and personal bombshell for Special Agent Alden Parker, whose years-long rivalry with Marino took a dark turn.
What made this finale so interesting? Not just the action, but also the ongoing vendetta underneath. Carla Marino, who for so long has been a low-burning menace, finally surfaced into the glare with savage precision—and the next thing she does is going to shake up the NCIS team big-time.
Who is Carla Marino in NCIS?
Carla Marino, played by Rebecca De Mornay, represents the ruthless and menacing upper echelon of the Kansas City crime family. Operating a criminal business enterprise for narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, and racketeering, she's a veritable menace.
She's a traditional underclass crime villain, and bears an in-person vendetta. Her beef with Parker is years old, going all the way back to her son Jason Marino's murder. Jason was murdered during an operation when he was attempting to quit the life, and Carla has held Parker responsible since then.
The Nexus connection in NCIS: Unmasking "The Butcher"
In a shocking plot twist, the Season 22 finale found Carla Marino to be the elusive character who operates Nexus, a crime cartel that the NCIS group has been searching for. Operating under the alias The Butcher, Marino was orchestrating everything from a varied spectrum of organized crimes, and this turned her into a highly elusive and deadly foe.
This discovery alters the stakes for the team. Not only is she out for revenge, but she is also a big syndicate leader, blending personal agendas with deliberate criminal strategy.
The Parker vendetta in NCIS: A father's murder and a harrowing escape
Season 22's last episode was emotionally exhausting for Alden Parker. Carla Marino, in a ruthless act of vengeance, plotted the killing of Parker's father, Roman Parker. She didn't leave it there—she kidnapped Parker as well, further stoking the vendetta between them.
Even though Parker was saved by the NCIS team, Carla Marino managed to escape, leaving her threat hanging over Season 23. Not only does her escape demonstrate that she is intelligent, but it also creates a high-stakes season plot for Season 23.
Carla's first appearance in NCIS
Carla Marino was originally introduced in Season 22, Episode 6 (Knight and Day). She was then nothing more than a hint of a presence—a powerful crime lord who always appeared to be one step ahead. Parker has a history with her that dates back to his time at the FBI, where he headed a task force time and again that could not apprehend her.
Her ability to silence informants and remain in the background served her for years, keeping her out of reach. Now, with her cover compromised and her selfish motives behind her, the game is turned around—and the hunt only becomes more intense.
What this means for NCIS Season 23
The aftereffects of the Season 22 finale aren't only personal—they're procedural. Marino's arrival and Parker's father's murder are going to change the team's dynamics and agenda. With Marino now cemented as the returning villain, Season 23 will have to explore the ramifications of unfinished business, emotional baggage, and a deadly enemy still at large.
The upcoming season will likely delve deeper into Parker's history, Carla's company, and the NCIS team's moral conflicts as they seek justice.
Season 22 of NCIS finished with a firm message: Carla Marino is staying. Her blend of personal retribution and criminal authority makes her one of the most dangerous bad guys the crew has ever handled.
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With Season 23 drawing near, everybody's eye will be on just how NCIS responds to this new threat, and if Carla Marino's grasp on power will endure or break.
Also read: NCIS gets a new release slot on CBS: Here’s when the franchise will air in the 2025-2026 schedule
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