NCIS 21×10 “Reef Madness” is a great Season 21 finale for the show, one that puts the continuity of one of the show’s greatest assets in doubt going into Season 22 — not to mention takes a bulldozer to one of the show’s most beloved ships. Pretty standard season finale fare for procedural, if we’re being honest.
It’s also an amazing showcase for both Gary Cole and Katrina Law, who get to flex their acting wings as they both go through a multitude of emotions in the hour. The pairing works, particularly after last week gave us a more comedic one with Knight and Torres. Cole, who plays an Alden Parker who, though nowhere near as bad as Gibbs, is still a character who keeps all his cards close to the vest, ends up showing Knight some of them in this hour, and not really taking it back. By the end of the hour, though he is rightfully retreating a bit. That’s how you prepare for an upcoming loss.
Then there’s Law, who gets to play both the badass we know so well and we have seen her play before, not just in this show but in others, but also the vulnerable Jessica, the one that’s struggling and weighing it all. The one carrying on her shoulders both the expectations of her family and her own and trying to balance that with the ones that come with being a woman in her position. The things people expect you to do. The ones they expect you to give up.
right or wrong decision?
In that regard, does Knight make the right or wrong decision at the end of NCIS 21×10 “Reef Madness”? It’s hard to tell without an answer of where this is going. Katrina Law doesn’t seem to be leaving the show, and we really, really don’t want her to. But even if she isn’t, I think in some ways, Jessica Knight had to say yes. She had to try. Not the job, because I’m very sure she can do that, but the life there and what that means.
Yes, the team is her family. And yes, her relationship with Jimmy is important to Jessica. But was Jessica Knight in a position where she was ready to pick those things over her career advancement? The answer is clearly no. And I get her. I’ve been here. Sometimes that’s who you are. Sometimes things happen that make you reevaluate what is really important. Depending on whether Law is really staying (say she is, NCIS, how does this show even work without her?), that’s a really nice storyline to go into in Season 22.
Because she doesn’t have to pick a guy over a job. That’s not what this is. But she can come to a place where she recognizes that plans can be adjusted and that she doesn’t have to sacrifice the things — the people — she loves for career advancement.
is this the end?
Was Jimmy right to say the things he did? Was he wrong? Different team members have different opinions, but in the end, there is no right or wrong answer here. Jimmy is allowed his feelings, and those feelings are valid …though there are better ways to express them than others. But as someone who has lost as much as Jimmy has lost, someone who was getting used to the idea of permanency for himself and for his daughter, the notion that Jessica could not be ripped from him, but choose to leave hurts.
How could it not? Can we blame him for the emotional reaction? He’s a reasonable man who listens to Kasie’s advice (much better advice than Torres, if we’re being honest) and does his best to bridge the gap with Jessica. But of course, that gap cannot really be breached that easily if she’s on another coast. Their relationship won’t be the same, and they both have to take a really hard look at if that’s what they even want.
If Katrina Law is not leaving, if this is just a storyline for Jessica Knight, I assume this is something that will make them stronger in the long run. Because what Jimmy needs is to feel like he’s a priority for Jessica. That doesn’t necessarily mean he needs her to pick him over her job, but it does mean he needs to believe that he fits into this grand plan she’s got for her life. Right now, he doesn’t. And it’s hard to blame him for feeling that way if it seems Jessica Knight herself hasn’t figured out what this grand plan is.
Things I think I think:
- Me at Vance: SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP.
- “No, Jess, you’re not …” Ouch, Jimmy. OUCH. Let’s deconstruct how you two have dated for a while and still have managed to keep the relationship “casual” enough that you’re saying this in front of the team and are still confused that she thinks long distance is okay?
- I understand you’re lashing out because you’re trying to protect yourself, Jimmy, but “just go and you can move on with your plan” HURT too.
- And the team in the elevator trying to pretend they didn’t hear every word of that, awkward.
- WHY WOULD YOU GO INTO THE SHIP WITHOUT TELLING SOMEONE?
- At least Kasie gives good relationship advice.
- Jimmy being Jimmy helped, okay?
- “I have never known anybody like Jimmy before, much less been in a relationship with someone like him.”
- Trust Torres to have the bad relationship advice.
- “Are you trying to She-Hulk me right now?”
- The makeup on Parker, man. He looks BAD.
- “Promise me” kinda hurt me.
- “You thank me when we’re out of here.”
- Nick lunging at the guy was peak Nick Torres. Even Jimmy had to pull him back.
- “Anytime, Gene Hackman.” Except not.
- OKAY BUT GIVE ME SEASON 22 NOW.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS 21×10 “Reef Madness”? Share with us in the comments below!
Man, that was INTENSE!! One of those episodes that makes you wish it would be nominated for an Emmy. (yes, I’m well aware that that’s not very likely given the whole bias towards broadcast shows)