NCIS 21×06 “Strange Invaders” is a quintessential hour of this show, the kind NCIS is very good at delivering. The case is more or less light — though it gets emotional by the end — the characters are having a little bit of fun banter as they investigate, the conclusion is not too out there and though the underlying plot is nonexistent, there’s still some growth in the hour.
That’s what makes a show like NCIS so good, even in season 21. Procedurals have to be able to take whatever opportunities they have to further the dynamics between characters. It’s not just about two characters talking to each other to give you the information you have to know about a particular case, it’s about them bonding, about the viewers getting more and more invested in their relationship.
A procedural has to be able to balance an interesting case of the week and further the dynamics we are invested in, the characters that will stay with us week in and week out. The NCIS franchise is probably the standard in this regard right now when it comes to procedurals. It’s why they were able to say goodbye to Gibss and bring in Parker. It’s why they’ve been able to handle so many cast departures and why, right now, we have a time that works so well together and feels so much like a family, in Season 21.
And it’s why, even in an episode that gives us absolutely nothing in the way of romance for Jessica and Jimmy, we still feel like the hour helps them, if nothing else by delivering a moment of calm after the storm that was “The Plan.” Just as it helps Kassie, by allowing her to be more involved with the case than she has been in the last few episodes.
It’s a pretty balanced hour, and if we end up a little emotional as we get to the conclusion and it involves a man, a computer, and Parker, well …that’s just the way episodes are these days. That these actors can still make us feel things is a testament to them.
And though NCIS 21×06 “Strange Invaders” doesn’t really end with the team catching the bad guys, sometimes, that’s okay. Or, at least, sometimes that’s realistic. Procedurals sometimes fall into the habit of tying all loose ends too neatly, and in real life that’s just not how it works. Some people just get away. Some things just don’t work out. This can be one of those things that are just left dangling to be completely resolved later. The solution can come later, or it can never come. Fans understand. In fact, fans might even prefer that little dose of reality.
Things I think I think:
- The concerning thing here is that Torres thinks he’s fun. Some self-awareness here, Nick. At least Jessica calls him out on it, as a good surrogate sister does.
- THEY HAVE A STANDING POLICY TO SIDE WITH DELILAH ON ALL MARRIAGE DISAGREEMENTS.
- I mean, it’s hilarious and I get it.
- Yeah, Jimmy would be watching C-SPAN. That tracks. Z-SPAN. I’m cackling.
- “Does it count if I just hope it’s aliens?”
- Jimmy hopes it’s aliens too, but that’s just because he’s being a nerd.
- The US government is like: it can’t be aliens, but it could be …the Russians!
- I don’t want to sound judgy, but that BLT doesn’t look that good.
- Jimmy and McGee teasing Nick was good, I’m not gonna lie.
- “What if he was body snatched?” MCGEE! “What if we like this one more?” OMG.
- I wanted it to be aliens so bad, just for the reactions.
- “Bye bye ET, hello Skynet.” Parker didn’t want it to be aliens, but Vance really, really didn’t. Part of me thinks he just didn’t want the paperwork associated with it.
- Skynet might be scarier than ET.
- Wait, are we back to ET? Because I’ll take it.
- The leaving it open thing was kinda genius. Mulder and Scully can come visit.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS 21×06 “Strange Invaders”? Share with us in the comments below!
