NCIS: Hawai’i 2×06 “Changing Tides” uses the case in the way the best procedurals do, to give us insight into who the characters we have invested in truly are. Sure, there’s a big case with huge implications, but does anyone really care about that as much as we care about Jesse, Ernie and the way this team rallies around each other?
The focus on both Jesse and Ernie’s backstories is great to see, especially because the things we learn pretty much cement the things we already know about these characters. This is who Jesse is, the man who goes above and beyond because he doesn’t know what else to do, because he puts burdens on himself that aren’t really his to bear. This is who Ernie is, a kind, loving man who has never felt like he was enough and has always had to fight for his place.
And this is who the team is around them, people who care. Not people who always have the answers, no, but people who will try. Who will say man, this is a horrible idea, but will still be there to save your life after your horrible idea goes south. Who will say, I’m here if you want to talk and also He doesn’t know what he missed out on.
You don’t always need the same thing from family. Sometimes you need space, sometimes you need support. And just like our fearless leader Jane Tennant and her son Alex show us — and the only reason I don’t think he’ll end up going on that trip is that we wouldn’t see him around that much — it isn’t about having all the answers. We don’t always know how to help. But we don’t have to. That’s not what family is about.
Instead, it’s about showing up each day. Being there. Having the conversations, even if there are no solutions. Just like Lucy was there for Ernie. Like Kai was there for Jesse. And how Jane (and Daniel) were there for Alex. Because we can’t always fix other people’s issues, and it isn’t really on us to do so anyway. Everyone’s got their own baggage to deal with.
But it’s really, really nice to have some help carrying that baggage if it turns out you need it.
And it’s really, really nice to have a show like NCIS: Hawai’i to remind us that procedurals can sometimes be about warmth, joy and family, even while solving cases.
Things I think I think:
- BUT RUN TO HELP. RUN. TO. HELP.
- Look, I’m always basically like why is Daniel here, but in this instance, I agree with Daniel.
- “Our love is strong, but not surfboard strong.”
- Lucy being scared of water is kinda hilarious.
- Jesse why you only bringing coffee for the boss?
- Oh, Ernie backstory. I likeeee.
- Bam Bam! I love her, Your Honor.
- “You outrank me?” LOL
- Big Bro Jesse is my favorite Jesse, okay?
- Jesse backstory too!
- “I learned from watching you, boss.”
- HA
- Jane Tennant is a good boss.
- ALSO, JESSE, DON’T SCARE US LIKE THAT.
- Look that Jesse and Kai hug game me emotions. And the “my hero”? FEELINGS.
- Ernie confiding in Lucy too.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Hawai’i 2×06 “Changing Tides”? Share with us in the comments below!
NCIS: Hawai’i airs Mondays at 10/9c on CBS.
