NCIS: Hawai’i 3×06 Review: “Operation Red Rabbit”

NCIS: Hawai’i 3×06 “Operation Red Rabbit” is another pretty entertaining episode of the show, one that not only takes advantage of the established dynamics of the team, but that finally finds a spot for Sam Hanna. The last part is particularly important because if the show had been floundering in one regard this season, it had been in the Sam Hanna department.

Not because Sam is a bad character, of course not. NCIS: Los Angeles already proved how effective a character he can be. If anything, the issue is that NCIS: Hawai’i hasn’t really known how to use him, or how to effectively communicate to viewers why he’s around. The result is that, six episodes into Season 3, Sam’s reasoning for being around is still a mystery to not just viewers, but the team.

NCIS: Hawai’i 3×06 “Operation Red Rabbit,” however, lets Sam bond with Kai in a way that feels very natural — just like the little bit of antagonism coming from Jesse towards Sam felt just like the Jesse reaction we expected, all things considered. And though we’re still waiting for the other shoe to drop when it comes to say, and the shoe better be Hetty shaped at this point, we admit it’s been nice to see him interact with people other than the LA team and Jane Tennant. Sam’s been a little lonely since he lost Michelle, and having more people does him good.

In a way, that’s the message of the episode. No man is an island. Or, at least, no man should be. Things are easier to face when you aren’t alone. That’s why all those women came together to support each other, and that’s why the two last victims clung to each other’s side. Life is complicated during the best of times, and the only way to get through it is with the support of your people. So, honestly, it’s about finding who is going to stick by your side and not letting go.

Every episode feels like the show harping on the same notion of found family, even as they explore their cases, but I feel like people who don’t get that’s the point don’t understand procedurals. It’s not really about the cases, it’s about the people who go through the same thing with you, over and over. There’s a bond there, just like there’s a bond between you and your coworkers. You can joke about it just being shared trauma, but it’s an undeniable bond. Procedurals just take it up another notch by giving these people very dangerous jobs.

This is a pretty good found family. And yes, it can grow to make space for Sam, even if he never explains to us why he’s around. It’s just that he will have to explain because this is a TV show and all that.

Things I think I think:

• My money would be on Lucy, always.
• Kai, are you insane? Training with Sam? Willingly? For sh*ts and giggles?
• I have a love/hate relationship with spy storylines. I just get anxious.
• Oh no no no.
• I would have taken a real anxiety spy storyline over this! Poor women.
• Lucy’s all like “I read them upside down.”
• This isn’t why we love Lucy in that it’s not the only reason, but it’s A reason.
• Ernie, there’s nothing wrong with online dating.
• YOU ARE, JESSE. YOU ARE CLASSICLY HANDSOME.
• I mean, I’d assume Sam is always watching too.
• Can’t really blame Sharon.
• I love you Sam, I’m glad you held on until Kai admitted he didn’t want to do it.
• The ending was super cute.
• Can I say I missed Kate? There was really no reason for her to be around, but I missed her.

Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Hawai’i 3×06 “Operation Red Rabbit”? Share with us in the comments below!

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