NCIS: Hawai’i 3×04 Review: “Dead on Arrival”

NCIS: Hawai’i 3×04 “Dead on Arrival” is a pretty great episode for Yasmine Al-Bustami’s Lucy Tara and Tori Anderson’s Kate Whistler and the couple they make up together, Kacy. It’s also, overall, a good and entertaining episode of the show that manages to keep the suspense and deliver a satisfying conclusion. It’s also just an episode that continues to harp on the Sam Hanna issue, to a frustrating degree.

And let us be clear, Sam Hanna himself is not the issue, the way the writing of the show is handling him is. Sure, it’s kinda strange that Sam is in Hawai’i. He’s got no reason to be there. We, the viewers, know that. But considering that, in-universe, Sam has been a good guy for over a decade, we’re fine with giving him the benefit of the doubt. The question is then, why isn’t everyone in the show? Why do we have to put up with the constant questions and doubts? This is Sam Hanna we’re talking about, not just any nobody.

But there’s Kacy and a team that works about as well as they ever do, so we can focus on that and give the show some grace for now. It’s only episode four, after all.

I figured I’d never get married, so why dream

There’s so much to unpack in such a short conversation between Lucy and Kate in NCIS: Hawai’i 3×04 “Dead on Arrival” and yet it never feels like the show skips a step with these two, because they aren’t actually talking about getting married (yet!) — and they aren’t really talking about their issues. And it’s clear from just scratching at the surface of this conversation that they both have issues.

But NCIS: Hawai’i has, so far, given these characters a very natural relationship progression, and also a very natural personal character arc. We’ve learned about who they are slowly, and we’ve seen them grow into their relationship also at a very normal pace. And they are very far from the level of commitment that requires a wedding dress. First they gotta get through the families, yes, and the baggage that entails, complete with the expectations family places on us.

But what Lucy wants might be very different from what Lucy has told herself her whole life she is allowed to want. That’s something Lucy has to unpack by herself, and that might come when she feels strong enough to face her family. Perhaps, with some support, it might be easier. It might be the same for Kate, who says out loud that she doesn’t care, but she very much does.

This conversation is only a little glimpse at all the things the show can still explore with the two of them as a couple and proof that there’s no need to throw drama at a ship to make them compelling. There’s no need for a breakup, no need for pain. There are so many avenues of interesting storytelling that don’t require two people to be away from each other in contrived ways. It’s refreshing to see that NCIS: Hawai’i understands that.

Going in Circles

At first, it was kind of understandable, but four episodes in and considering how many characters have been involved in the Sam question, I’m more than a little over this circular drama. NCIS: Hawai’i 3×04 “Dead on Arrival feels like it adds something to the conversation with the Jesse/Sam interaction, and then it ends up right back where we were before with the Tennant and Ernie ending. And truly, it’s gotten to the point where it’s tiresome.

We keep going in circles with people saying it doesn’t matter, they trust him, and then they circle back to wanting to know, and then they trust him, and then it’s all going to tie back to the loose ends with NCIS: Los Angeles because what else can it be? So truly, what is the point of all of this? Sam as a character has done nothing to earn this level of mistrust. Let this storyline end. Let him bond with other characters, or not. Let us move along with whatever reason he is here for.

Give us some actual information about Kensi and Deeks. Tell us what Callen is up to. Tie it all back to Hetty. Please and thank you.

Things I think I think:

• Jesse, why are you a buzzkill?
• Lucy is such a little sister.
• Is Sam really asking how to be …friends with Jesse?
• This show doesn’t use Chase enough.
• ALSO, we need a case that requires Chase and Jimmy Palmer together. Desperately. For me. Do it for me and my entertainment.
• NEWLYWEDS.
• “Is my wife cheap?”
• And, on top of Kacy, I also get to see Kai and Jesse bond!
• “I’m not going to tell you why I’m here, because I can’t.”
• Look, it’s got nothing to do with you, Jesse. I promise.
• They are talking WEDDING. I REPEAT, LUCY AND KATE AND TALKING WEDDING.
• I’m with Kate, Lucy, you can’t do stuff like that.
• Kate saving herself is badass.
• “No offense, this honeymoon sucks.”
• The newlyweds figured it out!
• Okay, the last scene was nice until it wasn’t.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Hawai’i 3×04 “Dead on Arrival”? Share with us in the comments below!

NCIS: Hawai’i airs Mondays at 10/9c on CBS.