NCIS’ recent tone switch might be exciting, but it makes me worried about McGee’s future in the franchise. NCIS season 22 brought in major season villains, twists, and unexpected dark drama. It could change NCIS’ future as we know it, with McGee facing the worst of it.

McGee has been a part of the NCIS cast since early on in season 1. He started as a probie, but has since become a leading senior agent. Over the years, he has faced some tense and heavy plots, but I am worried that NCIS season 22’s darker tone might result in McGee’s most dangerous storyline yet.

Roman’s Death In The NCIS Season 22 Finale Introduces A Dark Tone to the MCRT
Parker’s Quest For Justice Could Change The Team

NCIS had not had many high-stakes storylines for a while until the NCIS season 22 finale, which revealed that Parker’s father, Roman, was killed by Carla Marino in an act of vengeance. NCIS has dealt with dark storylines before, but the MCRT was always able to return to business as usual shortly after. Roman’s death is different.

The NCIS season 22 finale changes everything by fundamentally changing Parker’s character. He has been a calm and collected character so far, but his father’s death will likely bring out a side of him that we have never seen before. It will also introduce a more serious and heavy tone to NCIS season 23 and the MCRT as they search for Marino.

NCIS Season 23’s Darker Tone Could Result In McGee’s Death
McGee Could Be The Victim Of NCIS Season 23

As unfortunate as it is, NCIS’ new tone could result in McGee’s death. For one thing, McGee’s death would align with the show’s changing tone. A darker tone as a result of Roman’s death and Parker’s strengthened hatred for Marino could result in riskier behavior, all in the name of justice. McGee could be caught in the crosshairs.

A darker tone as a result of Roman’s death and Parker’s strengthened hatred for Marino could result in riskier behavior, all in the name of justice.

Killing him would also solve NCIS’ McGee problem. McGee’s character has stagnated for a while. He almost received a promotion, but lost out. He also failed to recognize LaRoche was working undercover. In recent seasons, it seems like NCIS just doesn’t know what to do with him. If the finale was any indication, I am worried about what the future holds for McGee.

Killing McGee Would Change The Team’s Dynamic, Again
NCIS Season 23 Could Try To Switch Up The Team Again

Except for the NCIS season 22 finale, NCIS’ storylines have been tamer than usual when compared to its earlier seasons. The team has been stable for a while, and so have their cases. Killing off McGee would change the team’s dynamic again and add excitement back to the show, albeit at a major cost.

NCIS season 23 will air in the fall of 2025 on CBS.

Some of NCIS’ most memorable storylines revolve around character departures. Many iconic NCIS characters have left, and McGee’s exit could add some thrill to NCIS season 23 by changing the team. I am just worried that his exit might be the result of NCIS’ new dark tone and an untimely death, rather than an exit on his own terms.