That was such a twisted case, and now I need more of Phoebe.
Fortunately, NCIS: Sydney Season 3 Episode 14 left the door open for her to return, and it’s highly unlikely that we’ve seen the last of her.
The case itself dominated the hour, but they made sure it was worth our while, and everyone had some shining moments.
Fleet Week Brings the Excitement
One of the running themes across the NCIS franchise is that Fleet Week is always a hellish, busy time for the agents.
Typically, as we recently saw on NCIS: Origins Season 2 Episode 10, it’s as simple as having a bunch of rowdy sailors in the drunk tank after partying too much and getting into a bit of mostly harmless trouble.
And they got their fair share of that, if the opener with JD in his interrogation element wasn’t any indication.
But this time, we got one of the most twisted murder investigations on NCIS: Sydney yet.
The mystical element of the tarot angle was one thing, but as we peeled back more layers of this case and got into psyop territory, I was, admittedly, riveted.
There’s nothing more terrifying than a person powerful enough to screw with someone’s mind. In some ways, this case had me thinking about NCIS: Sydney Season 3 Episode 1, which featured a lot of programming and trigger-activation words or music.
Except this hit new levels. And the buildup to it was much better.
Tarot, Mystics, and Fun
The tarot card angle was interesting on its own and felt like something out of a Criminal Minds episode.
The first victim, the sailor on the beach in that pose, was so bizarre, and then we had the video footage that suggested that he had killed himself.
What was odd to me was how quickly JD was ready to write it off as just that, despite what Doc said about how this man would’ve had to override natural, biological instincts, just to kill himself like that. Also, that’s a weird way to pose, right?
Of course, JD could’ve just been pulling Mackey’s leg because he knew she would never let that go.
Once they found that tarot card, it was on. And I loved that the two into tarot were Trigger and DeShawn. Did anyone see that coming? I would’ve bet money on Evie being at least passively knowledgeable about it!
But then, once we got to the madame who ran the tarot shop, and she was dead in her own unique way specific to a tarot card, it was evident there was something far more sinister at play.
Evie and DeShawn’s antics there were amusing. It was great to see DeShawn having fun while Evie was playing more of the straightperson during those moments.
And Doc cracked me up saying that dogs would die hungry and loyal, while cats will treat your body like a charcuterie board.
Covert Psy-Op Conspiracies and Psychopaths
The transition from this twisted murder case to this elaborate thing with suboptimal programming by a brilliant psychopath was jaw-dropping.
However, the moment Phoebe showed up at that room, claiming to be the cleaning lady, but without any supplies, I knew she was exactly who they were looking for.
I have always found neurolinguistic programming fascinating. Seeing that Phoebe was adept at using all different forms of psychological manipulation made her one of the scariest threats they have ever faced.
The footage of her experimenting on her own students was wild.
It also reminded me of a plot point in Cross Season 2, which was fairly similar. I was surprised by how similar those plot points were, right down to a covert government operation being used in that way.
It was unsurprising that Phoebe was this asset who basically went off kilter. The second she got too carried away, she landed in prison. In some ways, she was exploited by Drexler, who was so obvious in his connection to everything.
You can always count on one of the bad guys inserting themselves into an investigation, and the way he popped up and forced his help on them was suspect.
Ultimately, Phoebe was the real force, though! It sounds terrible to say, but it was way too enjoyable to watch how she got into JD’s head.
The JD vs Phoebe Showdown Deserves a Rematch
Her interactions with him had me glued to the screen. And the way they pulled off the sequence with the water and him having that brief moment of feeling like it was deja vu while Mackey was on the LONGEST work call ever was brilliant.
Phoebe pulled out all the stops with him, too, the neurolinguistics with the water, the grabbing and apping his hand, all of it. Then she started in with reading him way too well.
We all know JD likes to be in control, and you could see how she was rattling him with her words a bit. Next thing you know, she was gone, and he was left reeling.
It’s such a shake of confidence, but it’s also such a profound violation.
Having that ability to control your own mind is a precious thing we too often take for granted. When someone can get in your head like that and control what you do, it’s the ultimate lack of control and invasion.
You are no longer your own when that happens.
Phoebe Could Stay in JD’s Head
All it took was Phoebe’s actions to leave JD completely unsettled and almost unwilling to step back into that interrogation room to face her again until Mackey encouraged him.
Sure, he broke his streak a bit, but he recovered well with Phoebe.
I do wonder if Phoebe’s presence and what she instilled in him will linger, though. She got right to the core of him with his deepest insecurities and fears. There’s no moving on from that without the cuts leaving a mark.
It seems like it’ll linger for a bit. And the angst junkie in me loves to see characters I adore grappling with things like that.
It’s also just another way in which Mackey and JD had such great moments. Mackey knows Phoebe got under JD’s skin, and it’s likely not going away for a while. But based on that ending, Phoebe is set up for a comeback.
She’s a worthwhile villain for NCIS: Sydney to keep in its back pocket. She’s unhinged and incredibly powerful. It’d be a waste if we never saw her again!
Chit-Chat:
- Do you know what warms my heart? Trigger’s return was so warm.
- He’s fully accepted that he has a place there — a family there. It’s like the last of his walls he had up to guard himself from those around him are gone. He finally feels like he’s part of something. I love Trigger so much!
- I desperately need to meet someone from DeShawn’s family at least once. Can anyone visit our guy in Australia? I need it.
- We got some fun Blue moments, but she’s still underused recently. Loved her moment with Mackey about her being in his head.
- Trigger and DeShawn’s handshake was everything to me. EVERYTHING.
- DeShawn being smart enough to bring his climbing kit and then crashing in with that save like something out of the Avengers was amazing.
- Why did they show us that Trigger/Evie content on the “Previously On” if all we really got was her leaving him something in his office with a note and the others noticing their chemistry? I thought we’d get more.
- For that matter, why are they pushing the Trigger/Evie connection so much, but most of it happens off-camera? Far be it from me to be against two hot people being hot together, but they should deliver more to sell it better.
- Mackey & JD, on the other hand, have me in a chokehold right now. She’s still calling him Jim, and do you see how touchy-feely they’ve gotten? They’ve unlocked this new stage in their dynamic, and it’s unspoken but undeniable.
- JD was so proud of himself for that corny chirp at Phoebe; it was so cute.
Let’s keep the conversation going, NCIS: Sydney Fanatics — it’s the only way the good stuff survives.
Say something in the comments, share if you’re moved to, and keep reading. Independent voices need readers like you.
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