NCIS 21×08 “Heartless” is another solid episode of a show that, twenty-one seasons in, exemplifies how to do a procedural. This season, even in its shortened state, has given every character at least one episode to shine, and NCIS 21×08 “Heartless” turns its focus on Alden Parker.
Gary Cole had perhaps one of the hardest jobs on TV when he stepped into the role of the team leader on NCIS because it wasn’t just the role, it was replacing Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the character this franchise — and in many ways, the NCISverse, was built around. That he has managed to make Parker not just a character we like, but one we root for is nothing short of amazing.
NCIS 21×08 “Heartless” goes one step further, cementing how much NCIS is now Parker’s team, not just in the big moments, but in the smaller ones too. There’s a certain camaraderie, a special one, with every one of the team members. Yes, there’s the basketball game with Torres, but also the little moment with Jimmy at the beginning, the nod to Kasie being able to figure out everything, Jessica seeing through him in that final scene, or even McGee understanding Parker’s thinking.
This team is just that, a team, and as Parker kept saying during the episode, it’s his team. And just as he expected, it came to his rescue. Not because it had to, or because he was the boss, but because they care about him. He’s built that.
When Gibbs left, I’m sure a lot of people thought this show was doomed. Procedurals thrive cast chemistry and shows like this one require a sense of found family. NCIS has built that again, and at this point, it really does feel like any one of these people would do anything for each other — but it also feels like this is Parker’s team, in the way it was once Gibbs, and yet not because he is a Gibbs replacement.
That’s the most important part, and that’s the balance NCIS has always understood. We can love Ziva, and love Jessica Knight. We can love Tony and Nick Torres. We can love Gibbs and Alden Parker. Characters don’t have to leave to be replaced by other characters. There is no replacing, not really. Sometimes, especially in long-running shows, you can honor a character who is gone, and bring in another great character who can add a lot to the show.
NCIS has done it better than most other shows, and that’s what makes a longer Season 22 something to look forward to.
Things I think I think:
- “That’s so analog of you” is hilarious, but also true. Who reads newspapers anymore?
- The Parker/Torres basketball subplot is absolute perfection. Particularly because we all know it’s going to be the bear hug that’s going to be the cure, right?
- Jimmy was right is a common saying on this show.
- I love that Nick Torres is Colombian, like the actor who plays him. It would have been so easy to make him Mexican.
- “No, but I watch Grey’s Anatomy.” You do?
- The way he kept saying “my team” was giving me feelings.
- “You probably should have just killed him when you had a chance.” Jess said what we were all thinking.
- No, you weren’t the only one feeling the vibes, Jessica.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS 21×08 “Heartless”? Share with us in the comments below!
