While NCIS struggled with its cameo during the previous two episodes, it got back on track with the latest hour.
It all starts with the trial of the man responsible for Vance’s death, and, of course, it looks like he’s going to walk.
However, NCIS Season 23 Episode 19 brings up an important Gibbs memory to pay attention to, and it does so in style.
We Get to See Growth in a Sibling Relationship
The team is given a task that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy: to protect the person responsible for their beloved boss.
As Wayne Rogers faces trial, it’s clear that he has plans up his sleeve.
The fact that nobody was willing to listen to Parker was infuriating. Out of everyone, Parker has seen what underestimating this man can do.
So it’s not surprising to find out that Rogers has struck a secret deal, and it’s not surprising that there’s a gag order in place.
Parker brilliantly finds a way around the gag order. Gary Cole plays the moment well when he decides to punch the prosecutor, as you can see that flash of him realizing what this will do.
It all plays out just the way he expected, although he probably didn’t expect to see his sister turn up to bail him out.
This delivers a much-needed sibling moment amid the action and intrigue, and it also serves as a wonderful reminder of the timeline.
Parker isn’t just dealing with Vance’s death. He’s also struggling with the anniversary of his father’s.
Of course, NCIS Season 23 had us questioning whether Harriet Parker was responsible for the missing weapons for a minute.
I’m glad the show didn’t take too long for Harriet to explain the situation, because this could have taken a whole act for the truth to finally come out.
She was played. It was as simple as that!
The best part of her explaining it is that she put her trust in her brother, showing growth in their relationship.
I would love for a moment for Harriet and Alden to really get into the Lily arc that we spent a few seasons trying to understand, but I think I can wait for that now, just seeing how their bond is slowly growing.
NCIS Gets a Most Difficult Task
While all this is going on, the team has to do something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
Rogers’ life is in danger, and someone has hacked the federal database showing where all the safe houses are.
That means only one team can protect him: NCIS.
Of course, Parker and the others would love revenge, but they know that the best revenge is justice.
That means they’re willing to carry out the security detail while multitasking.
I do think the entire team underestimated Rogers, and someone should have pointed out that he was up to something bigger.
This is a man who knew enough criminals to create a secret arms trafficking business for years.
He must have had moles in various agencies, and yet nobody thought he could even have had criminals willing to work with him to get him out of prison?
I’ll give him his due. He certainly set the situation up well, making it look like his life was on the line, but everyone should have thought more about what this former CID director was capable of.
It didn’t make sense that Parker would just believe him to be the victim, considering he spent the first part of the episode convincing the prosecutor that Rogers would have a plan to get free.
The idea of Parker rushing off and leaving Rogers in his home with just one agent watching him seemed a little absurd.
Of course, it wouldn’t make for an NCIS “twist,” but it doesn’t become a twist when you can see it a million miles away.
I’ll accept it, though, because without all of that, we wouldn’t have gotten the ending we needed.
Gibbs Wasn’t Letting Anyone Get Away
While Parker and Knight wanted to make sure justice was served, someone else out there in the NCISverse was willing to take matters into their own hands.
At least, that’s what we’re led to believe.
Just as it looks like Rogers is going to get away, McGee shares that he has been killed.
The details are telling to those who know Leroy Jethro Gibbs, and we were told at the start of the hour just how this story would play out.
Rogers was killed by a sniper at a distance far greater than most snipers would shoot from.
McGee and Torres just had to look at each other to know that they had spoken this into existence.
They’d just reminded us of how Gibbs would make sure justice was served, and sure enough, NCIS Season 23 Episode 19 shows he did it again.
Never cross Gibbs by killing the people he loves and cares about; you won’t see death coming.
The entire ending made up for the team underestimating their enemy.
It was almost as if Gibbs had seen all this coming and wanted Rogers released.
Without that happening, he couldn’t make it clear to all that while he left the team, they didn’t leave his heart. Vance always mattered to him.
Now, would I have preferred to see some sort of funeral for Vance where Gibbs turned up? Absolutely!
This is a good second option, bringing back the nostalgia that much of NCIS Season 23 has delivered.
This is where we turn it over to you!
Independent journalism is nothing without its readers, and we want to hear from you. Let us know how you felt about this hour of NCIS, and whether the mention of Gibbs was enough to put a smile on your face or not!
-
NCIS Season 23 Episode 19 Brings Back Memories of Gibbs — And Kills It!
When it looks like the man responsible for Vance’s death is going to walk free, NCIS Season 23 Episode 19 does what it needs to do.
-
NCIS Season 23 Episode 18 Finally Highlights Kasie’s Skills — But She’s Still Overshadowed
While Kasie’s skills in computer programming are beautifully showcased on NCIS Season 23 Episode 18, Sam still overshadows the story.
-
19 Good Guys Who Cross The Line
Sometimes being the hero means making hard choices. Here’s our list of good guys (and gals) who cross the line for … reasons.
The post NCIS Season 23 Episode 19 Brings Back Memories of Gibbs — And Kills It! appeared first on TV Fanatic.