NCIS: Hawai’i 2×15 “Good Samaritan” is about what parents would do for their kids, but it’s also in a roundabout way about family, and about how much Lucy Tara means to this team. And though everyone, and I mean everyone, could use some lessons on how to keep a secret, in the end, it doesn’t matter if they don’t. What matters is that Lucy is back, and the show feels complete once again.
Ironically, NCIS: Hawai’i did pretty well without her — with a good balance of focus on the other characters and an increased level of interaction between Whistler and the rest of the team, something that will only help the interactions going forward. But just because something wasn’t as bad as it could have been doesn’t mean we’re not happy to get the best version of this show and this team back.
The case is also not just pretty interesting, but the kind that actually makes you root for a happy ending for this “Good Samaritan” and his family. Who knew? Procedurals can sometimes give you all-around satisfaction, not just pain! But then again, the NCIS franchise is very good at crafting satisfying stories for its characters, and worthwhile journeys for its ships.
Kacy, for example, could have had some drama for the sake of drama thrown in the middle of this Lucy storyline. Instead, NCIS: Hawai’i 2×15 “Good Samaritan” underscores what the show does well, and that is use internal issues to grow characters, without needing to become trauma porn. Yes, sometimes bad things shape people, and those stories deserve to be told, but sometimes people grow and learn and live without trauma too — not that TV usually shows us that.
We know who Jane Tennant is. We know the members of this team she leads, and we also understand what they mean to each other, and the relationships they’ve built. Moreover, we know some of these people’s families too (though hey, we’re always willing to learn more), and though we’ve had some hard times, we haven’t only learned through pain.
It’s why we celebrate Kacy, why we enjoy seeing Lucy banter with Jesse and Kai, and Tennant being the proud mom. It’s why we’ve enjoyed seeing Kate become part of this team and Ernie continuing to be everyone’s big brother. And all of those things mean that when the show wants to throw a curveball our way, we’ll be able to deal with it. We’ve gotten plenty of the good kind of growth.
Things I think I think:
- Kate, come on …get a glass!
- Lucy’s back! LUCY’S BACK! I repeat, Lucy’s back!
- I’ve missed Kacy scenes a hell of a lot.
- Guys, you’re all acting really, really weird. Which is already saying a lot, all things considered.
- Will anyone give Lucy a hug?
- Of course they were planning a surprise party, but …way to be obvious!
- Why do people always run?
- Kai and Jesse are horrible liars, omg, are you guys federal agents or what?
- Look, Kai texting Kate? A+
- Actually kinda glad Kate Whistler cannot keep a secret from her girlfriend to save her life.
- I kinda appreciate Charlie 1, what can I say?
- Did this episode need to almost kill everyone?
- “It’s a game to some people, so play it.”
- Man, Lucy is as bad at lying as the rest.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Hawai’i 2×15 “Good Samaritan”? Share with us in the comments below!
NCIS: Hawai’i airs Mondays on CBS.
I really like NCIS Hawaii but am not a fan of flaunting all the kissy kissy between Lucy and Kate. Everyone knows they’re a couple if you’ve been watching. I would feel the same way between a man and woman.