CBS's long-running procedural NCIS Season 23 Episode 5, titled Now and Then reopens a decades-old investigation once handled by Gibbs and Franks. This episode serves as a crossover with NCIS: Origins and revisits a murder from the 1990s, tying two timelines together.It follows the escape of an inmate who has only a few weeks left of his sentence. His breakout forces the team to reexamine his past case involving a naval officer's death. Retired special agent Vera Strickland joins the team to help connect the old NIS files to the present NCIS unit. Apart from that, this episode also features a brief return of Mark Harmon as Gibbs (who's seems to be chilling in Alaska with a rescued dog). Here's who else in this Veterans special crossover episode.NCIS Season 23 Episode 5 cast View this post on Instagram Instagram PostSean Murray as Timothy McGeeMurray plays Senior Field Agent Timothy McGee in this NCIS Season 3 Episode 5. He examines the archived footage and scoops out digital evidence from the original case. McGee also shares a key emotional exchange with Vera, learning that Gibbs is still proud of his work.Wilmer Valderrama plays Nicholas Nick TorresWilmer Valderrama appears as Special Agent Nick Torres. He traces Mulligan's movements after the prison break and handles all the field operations. His scene with Knight underlines the moral complexity of protecting family while pursuing justice.Brian Dietzen plays Dr. Jimmy PlamerDietzen plays Chief Medical Examiner Jimmy Palmer in NCIS Season 3 Episode 5. In this episode, he manages the autopsy evidence related to the case. His scene closes the episode on a reflective note about NCIS history.Diona Reasonover as Kasie HinesDiona Reasonover returns as Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines in this episode of NCIS Season 23. She processes the DNA samples against the original 1990s case materials and helps identify the discrepancies in the earlier reports. Her lab results prove crucial to the case.Katrina Law as Jessica KnightKatrina Law plays Agent Jessica Knight in NCIS Season 23 Episode 5. She helps find the physical evidence alongside Kasie and supports the search for Mulligan. Her calm composure and methodical way of working help the team throughout.Rocky Carroll as Leon VanceRocky Caroll plays NCIS Director Leon Vance. In this episode of NCIS Season 23, he monitors the team's handling of the case and ensures coordination. His brief appearances reinforce the procedural chain of command.Gary Cole as Alden ParkerCole plays SA in Charge Aiden Parker in NCIS Season 23 Episode 5. He leads the team through the 1990s case while managing the dynamics within the team. He keeps focus on evidence as old loyalties and secrets resurface.Roma Maffia as Vera: Roma Maffia reprises her role as retired Special Agent Vera Strickland. She originally worked the case with Franks and Gibbs in the 1990s. In this episode of NCIS Season 23, she helps the NCIS team and offers key insights for the case.Austin Stowell as Gibbs: Stowell appears as the younger Gibbs who investigates the original 1990s murder alongside Franks (Kyle Schmid).Ely Henry as Philip Elertson: He reprises his role as Philip Elertson. Appears as the older version of his character in the present timeline, contributing technical details that bridge the old and new investigationsMichael Lowry as Sheriff Thomas Mulligan: Lowry plays Thomas Mulligan, the escaped inmate whose actions reopen a decades-old murder case. His performance drives the episode's central emotional and investigative arc.Bobby Moynihan as Woodrow Browne: Another recurring Origins character. His scenes add humor to the otherwise serious investigation.Michael Bonini as Jason Cross: Bonini plays Thomas Mulligan's son, JasonLarry Joe Campbell as James Wallace, a Congressman and the main culprit of the murder.Stephen Graybill as Sheriff Corey JonesRandy Crowder as Mac Sims, Lainey's ex husbandA quick recap of NCIS Season 23 Episode 5The episode opens with a prison break. Thomas Mulligan, an inmate convicted of a murder decades ago, escapes the prison three weeks before his parole ends. The case originally involved Gibbs and Mike Franks during their NIS years. Initially, Mulligan's escape appears senseless since he was so close to parole.The team soon finds out that Mulligan's prison mate, Luther Stokes, was murdered. Evidence leads NCIS to Vera Strickland, who once investigated the case. Parker, NcGee, Tores, and Knight work with her to uncover why Mulligan fled.As the investigation unfolds, it's revealed that Mulligan confessed decades ago to protect a woman he loved, Lainey Sims, who actually committed the murder of Burke as revenge for killing Grandfather Dom. Mulligan decide to escape to stop his son Jason from avenging the crime after discovering the truth.In the end, the real killer was exposed and it was not Burke but Wallace. Mulligan is exonerated after serving 33 years for a crime he didn't commit.Follow SoapCentral for more such updates on NCIS Season 23.