NCIS Season 22, Episode 5 ‘In from the Cold’ is pure escapism, an episode that is very much mostly about the case and that has a glimpse or two of character moments, particularly from Torres. After a hard week of all of us watching way too much news, it’s also a welcome respite. The case is engaging, the end result is pretty great and though this isn’t the type of episode that will make any ‘essential viewing’ list, it also doesn’t feel out of place.
Filler episodes, or case-of-the-week episodes are sometimes important in strengthening team dynamics, and in giving little hints of storylines we are going to pick back up later. This episode gave us a thread to pull from when it comes to Torres, but it was also a pretty good showcase of how these characters relate to each other. As I always say, the reason this show is here, twenty-two seasons in, is because of the cast chemistry work. And it works well even in an episode with not much else.
MORE: Here’s our review of NCIS Season 22, Episode 3! And NCIS Season 22, Episode 4.
THAT WAY I COULD HATE HIM…
“and not think he chose another life over my sister and me,” is what Torres says about his dad, and it’s actually a lot of introspection for Nick Torres. It also means we’re likely going to touch on his feelings about his dad, or maybe his family in general, sometime soon. Otherwise, the show wouldn’t be bringing it up now.
In many ways, Torres is right. It’s easier when you can feel things in the extreme. Love is easy. Hate is easy. The complicated feelings in the middle aren’t. The loving someone who, perhaps, wasn’t ever there for you or who wasn’t the parent you needed, is hard. But that’s what Torres has. That’s what Tim has. And that’s what Danny had in this episode. A dad who “loved” him but never showed him, one that was always absent in the important moments. One that, perhaps, made him feel like he wasn’t a priority and he didn’t deserve to be.
And it’s not great, it isn’t. But I guess it is at least better than your dad being a traitor. There is that.
MORE: What did we think of NCIS Season 22, Episode 1? What about NCIS Season 22, Episode 2?
PARKER AND KNIGHT AND TORRES AND MCGEE AND KASIE AND JIMMY
Season 22 has given us a fair bit of team exploration, and the way this episode continues to do just that is a great example of how the procedural element in a show like this one can be exploited to make people care more and more about the characters even in episodes that are not about exploring the regular cast. This hour gives us a little glimpse at Torres’ feelings for his family, but also at Tim’s, and that coupled with the storyline on Torres and MatchQuest gives us a clear idea of where Torres stands going forward.
But the episode also lets McGee and Kasie bounce off each other a little bit, allows Parker to be the “good dad” he typically is to this team, and shows us how much Torres and Knigth care about McGee, all in little moments. If this were a movie, it wouldn’t be nearly enough. But this is a long-running show, so NCIS Season 22, Episode 5 ‘In from the Cold’ is a pretty good example of how to make your characters dynamic while still telling serialized stories.
It all adds up. For fans, and anyone paying attention. And when Torres starts dating someone, or when McGee’s parents come up again, we can remember the little insight we got from this hour and go “Oh, see. We already knew that. We know these characters.” And that, well, that just makes it easier to invest.
MORE: Is NCIS: Origins worth the watch? Here’s our spoiler-free NCIS: Origins review!
Things I think I think:
- The idea of spies like this episode is showcasing is still wild to me.
- Mate Quest is such a horrible name for a dating app.
- “You think this needs words?” SAY IT, TORRES.
- “Good to see you putting yourself out there,” would be Parker’s reaction. He’s the good dad.
- That wasn’t a Google search, Parker.
- Kasie and McGee talking nerd and Jimmy being like “Eh, I don’t get it” is objectively hilarious.
- But Jimmy still always helps!
- Why is the CIA always the bad guy?
- Every time this universe brings up the CIA, I think of Hetty.
- “Intelligence is a long game,” even sounds like something she’d say.
- Torres remembering the payphones thing was clutch.
- Yes, the internet is indeed rapidly destroying our society.
- What do you mean you’re not going to torture an old man? So, if he were younger it’s fine?
- How did he get there alone?!!
- I was scared for McGee for a moment there.
- But hey, I’ll take the twist. I’ll take it.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS Season 22, Episode 5 ‘In from the Cold’? Share with us in the comments below!
NCIS airs Mondays at 9/8c on CBS.
