NCIS Season 23 Episode 7 “God Only Knows” delivers a heart-wrenching twist when Lieutenant Max Winger, initially appearing as a volatile kidnapper who murdered Captain Cruz in jealous rage, was actually wrongfully accused and motivated by fear rather than malice. What starts as a dramatic skydiving disappearance ends with the revelation of a toxic military conspiracy that threatens hundreds of servicemembers’ lives.
Table of Contents
The Shocking Truth: NCIS Winger Was Innocent
After Winger dramatically parachuted into a neighborhood street and kidnapped teenager Jake, NCIS believed they had an open-and-shut case. Captain David Cruz was found dead in Winger’s bedroom, initially suggesting a crime of passion after discovering an affair. However, the theory collapsed when Winger’s wife denied any infidelity and insisted her husband would never kill without orders.
| Episode Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Episode | Season 23, Episode 7 |
| Title | God Only Knows |
| Air Date | December 2, 2025 |
| Network | CBS |
| Streaming | Paramount+ |
| Key Cast | Gary Cole, Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama |
| Writer | Andrew Bartels |
| Director | Lee Friedlander |
The O.K. Corral Conspiracy
The investigation revealed connections between Winger, Cruz, and fellow SEAL Liam O’Brien, all pointing to a secret Afghan location called the O.K. Corral where toxic waste exposure left them terminally ill. This dangerous secret forced powerful people to orchestrate cover-ups, including making O’Brien’s death look like a parachute malfunction when he actually took his own life.
Winger’s fleeing wasn’t to escape justice but to protect his family and secure evidence about the toxic exposure. An AI-generated hostage call coerced him home, and the soil samples he collected from the munitions depot became crucial evidence exposing the conspiracy.
Parker’s Personal Journey Mirrors the Case
The episode’s emotional core comes from Parker’s parallel struggle with his own mother’s mysterious death. Witnessing how hiding information devastated Winger’s life helped Parker evolve from denial to acceptance, ultimately asking Jimmy to continue investigating his mother’s death despite painful truths.
A Hero’s Sacrifice
Winger’s bravery in exposing the toxic exposure will allow hundreds of other servicemembers stationed at the base to undergo early detection and treatment for health issues. His courage transformed him from suspected murderer to whistleblower hero, though the revelation came at tremendous personal cost as he faces terminal illness himself.
For more crime drama coverage, explore our TV series reviews and streaming updates. Watch NCIS exclusively on CBS and Paramount+.
FAQs
Why did Lieutenant Winger kidnap the teenager?
Winger kidnapped Jake solely to get a ride home after his dramatic midair disappearance during a Leap Frog performance. He released Jake immediately after getting the ride and meant him no harm—his desperation stemmed from needing to secure evidence about toxic exposure at the O.K. Corral base.
What happened to Captain David Cruz in Winger’s house?
Captain Cruz was terminally ill with a brain tumor and had only about 12 months to live. While his death initially appeared to be murder by Winger, the investigation revealed Cruz’s connection to the O.K. Corral conspiracy and toxic exposure cover-up, making his death part of a much larger military scandal.