‘NCIS: Hawai’i’ 2×22 Review: “Dies Irae”

NCIS: Hawai’i 2×22 “Dies Irae” is a perfect finale for a second season that really cemented the show as one of the best procedurals on TV at the found family dynamics, which in truth, are the thing that makes or breaks these kinds of shows. Sure, every good procedural has a ship — and NCIS: Hawai’i has a great one in Kacy, but the thing that really has to work is the feeling you get when people who outwardly have nothing in common come together and you are somehow convinced that they really and truly not just like each other, but that they would take a bullet for each other.

It’s not an euphemism in their line of work, either. Bullets and explosions happen every day.

Kate Whistler gets to really show it in this hour, and say it — but she’s not the only one, with everyone from Jesse to Ernie, getting to put their money where their mouth is in the “will do anything for the boss” sweepstakes. The thing is, Tennant is not just the boss, so when Jesse tells her, with a straight face, that he would risk his life for her, and when Ernie risks his job to cover up something she’s done, no one’s surprised. It’s just, as Whistler said, what you do for family.

They would all do it for each other, too. They’re all part of the family unit, and relate to each other as equals. That’s how Jesse knows how to help Ernie focus and Kai knows how to calm Lucy down when she’s losing her mind over Kate. It’s how Jesse knows what to say to Tennant, when to push and when to bring ice, and how everyone, at the end, understands that, even though the boss might not have invited them over, they’re family, and it’s okay to just …show up at her house.

Season 3 might try to throw a wrench into that family dynamics — but we got a feeling whoever TPTB send over will probably end up assimilated before they end up really becoming an issue. Either way, that’s a long way from now. We can go into the hiatus knowing that our Hawai’i family is fine, they’re together, and they’ll get through this.

And we can go into the hiatus knowing that our ship — the ship of this show, Kacy, is stronger than they have ever beeen.

Even if NCIS: Hawai’i 2×22 “Dies Irae” did give us worried Lucy times a thousand. Because it also gave us kickass, take-charge Kate. And though we barely got enough of the conversation between them as Lucy tried to process her girlfriend going off to Venezuela with Tennant and saving the day, we got them being soft together, we got Lucy’s 83 reasons and Kate fitting in with Lucy’s family. We’ve got seasons and seasons ahead of us for more and more and more.

NCIS: Hawai’i Season 2 ends on a high. This is what procedurals can be. Season 2 has set the bar high. May Season 3 give us more of what has made this Season so successful, and continue to develop and deepen the characters and the dynamics we have fallen in love with. And may the WGA strike be resolved in a satisfactory manner sooner rather than later so we can get the shows back before too long. #WGAStrong

Things I think I think:

• “Breaking ceilings is kind of my thing” is a good line.
• You are anything BUT patient, Lucy.
• Kate freaking Whistler.
• Jesse being the one to pull Ernie out of his funk was a good touch.
• Kate’s inner Rambo indeed.
• “Hey, next time, don’t cuff me to a pole.”
• Next time?
• SAM!
• I will take periodic appearances by the Los Angeles team. Where do I sign?
• “If you need anything else, you’ve got my number.”
• Sam, I will CRY. Recurring is enough to make me CRY.
• Lucy and Kate’s reunion! Tennant and her boys!
• When Jesse said “I would put my life on the line for you,” with a straight face like it was obvious, I got a bit teary-eyed.
• And then Kate being all like “I didn’t need to know the reasons why we were doing what we were doing, Tennant’s family.” IT WAS TOO MUCH.
• Number 83? I would like the whole list, please, and thank you.
• Tennant and Ernie was ….good.
• The team having Tennant’s back at all times? Yeah, even better.
• Not that upset Maggie got away.
• So they’re bringing someone in next season? Color me intrigued. I assume they mean someone other than Sam, because there’s no antagonism there.
• ALSO LET’S SOLVE THE HETTY THING ON HAWAII PLEASE AND THANK YOU.
• “You help people, so maybe it’s time you let people help you.”
• FAMILY.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Hawai’i 2×22 “Dies Irae”? Share with us in the comments below!

NCIS: Hawai’i aired Mondays on CBS.