NCIS Season 22: Why Episode 15’s Lily Twist Makes No Sense

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Contains spoilers for “NCIS” Season 22, Episode 15 — “Moonlit”

The backstory of Alden Parker, played by Gary Cole in “NCIS,” has been subtly suggested, gossiped, and finally disclosed during his tenure on the show. However, what’s shared about his late friend Lily in the episode “Moonlit” – who was not his sister as officially confirmed – doesn’t quite add up, leaving viewers puzzled rather than shocked. The revelations about their mother, on the other hand, are far more poignant and significant to Alden’s past, and should have been the central focus of the episode.

The startling truth behind Lily (character Alden’s mother) was shared by dad Roman (played by Francis X. McCarthy). He revealed to Alden that instead of abandoning them and passing away from a stroke, his mother returned home one intoxicated evening with Alden in the car. After an argument with Roman, she drove off into the night and met her end in a car crash. Roman confessed he had been deceiving Parker about the accident and Lily’s death for years. However, this revelation doesn’t explain the mystery surrounding Lily.

Investigating the facts, Alden delves into old newspaper records from that specific day. Photos reveal Lily at the crash site and surprisingly, inside Parker’s home! This should be quite a surprise, but the enigma surrounding the supernatural in this show has grown increasingly unclear as time passes. In this episode, Parker claims not to recognize Lily; however, based on previous episodes and flashbacks, they appear to harbor a hidden truth that she prefers him not to disclose. The complex structure of this mystery seems in need of either a rewrite or some clear direction.

If Lily’s a stranger, why has she attached herself to Alden?

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to see Jimmy Palmer, aka Dr. Jimmy Palmer, being summoned by Alden in an attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding Lily. Frankly, it’s been an entire season since her debut, and we, the viewers, are just as clueless about her identity as the characters on screen. However, it appears that Alden might have had some inkling about her during Season 21. In the episode titled “Reef Madness,” where Alden’s aversion to boats was explained, he seems to acknowledge and recognize her by name on some level, even if it’s a subconscious recognition. He has vivid memories of playing with her as a child, memories that only surface when he’s unconscious.

Why does he seem not to recognize Lily, whom he knew by name and used to play with, both by him and Roman? Could it be that Roman is hiding the truth that Alden’s mother, possibly under the influence of alcohol, inadvertently caused Lily’s death while they were playing together? Or could Alden himself have been involved in her demise? The strange circumstances surrounding this spectral girl leave us puzzled, and it’s baffling why Alden appears so secretive about the matter.

Alden’s predicament suggests two possibilities: either he’s being haunted by an unknown entity or pursued by someone from his past whose existence was suppressed by his imperfect childhood memories. Regardless, this tale has an unusual, perhaps supernatural twist – the like of which “NCIS” has not previously explored. Time will reveal if it proves to be a captivating narrative.

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2025-03-26 03:30