NCIS: Sydney 1×06 Review: “Extraction”

NCIS: Sydney 1×06 “Extraction” focuses on Evie – or at least, a version of her. It’s also an episode about trust, about what it means to be someone’s partner and to believe in them, even when it seems like you perhaps shouldn’t. We’ve had our chance to examine the Mackey and J.D partnership, but other than in NCIS: Sydney 1×02 “Snakes in the Grass,” and some isolated scenes here and there the show hasn’t had the time to really delve into DeShawn and Evie.

It’s the way of procedurals. Well-crafted shows of this type take their time. An 8-episode first season means NCIS: Sydney has actually given us a lot of character development very quickly, and NCIS: Sydney 1×06 “Extraction” continues that with Evie, but it leaves a very much-needed conversation between her and DeShawn for later.

For now, all is well that ends well – with even Mackey forgiving Evie for putting everyone in danger by not communicating. But knowing what we now know about Evie’s past and her undercover work, it feels like if the show gets a chance to grow, we’ll get to see much more of this Evie – and maybe even of Kane.

MY PARTNER

But NCIS: Sydney 1×06 “Extraction” is about DeShawn as much as it is about Evie, or about the ways their relationship has surpassed the normal partnership. But let’s start with that word, partner. Both of them use it pretty regularly, and anyone familiar with procedurals understands what it means, the power that it holds. This episode, however, is truly the first time we get to experience their partnership from both sides, the side of one of them being in danger and the side of the other one being worried.

It’s clear Evie cares about DeShawn, she just isn’t very good with the saying something part. It’s clear DeShawn cares about Evie, he just doesn’t want to push her. One day, the two of them are going to figure out what the middle ground that works for them is. For now, the work NCIS: Sydney has to do is not romantic at all – it’s about reinforcing the thing that works, the foundation of their relationship.

NCIS: Sydney 1×06 “Extraction” works because we believe both DeShawn and Evie’s feelings, and we can understand their actions, even if we don’t believe them to be the wisest. What we need now is just more of it, in a way that escalates. There will come a point where the relationship will have to be more, a point where it will be obviously more and the show will have to find a way to verbalize it. For now, we’re enjoying the setup. And we are truly enjoying the way it so clearly resembles what is probably the best couple the NCIS franchise has given us: Densi.

A Densi comparison is nothing but a compliment. But Densi was, of course, not built in a day. No, Kensi and Deeks were built out of little moments — just as NCIS: Sydney is building Evie and DeShawn out of looks and charged silences for now. The rest is necessary, but it’s too early yet. The setup sometimes feels like it takes too long, but Densi only became Densi because NCIS: LA took their time to get there. As long as NCIS: Sydney doesn’t take too long, and this show is allowed to let Evie and DeShawn’s relationship build …well, they’ve got the makings of an epic ship right here.

NOT THIS TIME

Mackey’s speech to Evie at the end is very big-sister and also very boss-who-actually cares like, which are two things Mackey does surprisingly well, considering this team was improvised and she didn’t get to pick half the members. Of course, Evie isn’t as close to anyone on the team as she is to DeShawn, so this can be interpreted as just Mackey looking out for her people – but the way the entire team behaves during the episode suggests they have all come to care for each other a little more than just a team. This is true of J.D. as well, but NCIS: Sydney is smart enough to remember Mackey is in charge and to focus on her and Evie, who don’t know each other as well as J.D. and Evie do.

There is, as I said before, a long way to go. That we understand that the relationship between Evie and Mackey (and basically all other dynamics) can grow to be more than what it is now doesn’t mean that it is all that much yet. But possibilities are all we need right now, especially considering this is only the sixth episode of the show. We already know these characters so well, and care about them so much.

It’s hard to imagine how much more we could feel if we had a full Season 2 of NCIS: Sydney. And yet, we want that. No, we have kind of earned it at this point. They have kind of earned it – and I mean actors and writers alike. And if we get it, well …the kind of stories that could be told …

Things I think I think:

• I swear, the “friends don’t lie” moment at the beginning between Evie and DeShawn was so Densi-coded. EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM IS SO DENSI CODED.
• Of course, Mackey and JD would both be the “don’t do ties” type.
• There’s SEXUAL TENSION IN EVERY LOOK, don’t tell me there’s not. Especially as DeShawn is teasing them about being equal.
• Jess??
• LOOK, Evie’s damn wallpaper was too much for my heart.
• Mackey telling Evie “He’s not my responsibility, you are.”
• And DeShawn’s face!!
• When she’s talking to Kane about DeShawn – Tuuli, I could hug you. I could write an entire thesis about procedural actors and how very little respect they get.
• Telling you, Densi vibes. And my level of shipping went from a 4 to a 10 in this episode.
• HAHAHA they sent J.D as someone called “El Maestro” HAHAHAHAHA.
• Top marks, Mackey.
• SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY, EVIE.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Sydney 1×06 “Extraction”? Share with us in the comments below!

NCIS: Sydney airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS.