NCIS: Sydney Season 2, Episode 5 ‘Shucked’ is what one might have called a filler episode, once upon a time. It’s hard to really call it that in a 10-episode season, but it’s one of those hours that’s more about the case and about cementing the dynamics between the characters. If it works, it’s because the show has done such a good job so far of making us like these six people. Oh, and because this is actually a pretty well-crafted case.
We’ve gotten a lot from Mackey and J.D. and from Evie and DeShawn, particularly as partners. This hour, however, we get a lot from Doc and Blue as just that—and from Blue as an individual. And even though we wish we’d gotten the full story, the little glimpses we get, and the fact that the show remembers to ground it all the in the group, as always, makes this a very enjoyable episode, overall.
MORE: Check out our interview with Olivia Swann if you want some teases about where the season is going.
BIRTHDAYS (OR LACK THEREOF)
We’ve gotten backstory on Blue little by little so far on this show, and NCIS: Sydney Season 2, Episode 5 ‘Shucked’ gives us another little droplet when it reveals that she doesn’t know when her birthday is. The team, however, is convinced that her birthday is today, and they are prepared to celebrate her. This throws her in a bit of a crisis because she feels like she doesn’t deserve it. After all, she’s lying to them. It’s not really her birthday!
It’s not just that, though. For Blue, it’s about belonging. And this team, this family that they’re building together, it’s still a little fragile. The foundations J.D. and Mackey have built with each other are sturdier. Evie and DeShawn know they got each other. Blue, however, has been a little more on the periphery. So it’s harder for her to trust that she’s got a spot in this team. That she belongs. That people want her there.
There’s no cure for that other than time. Well, time and the reminders of people like Doc Roy, who is there to offer to be her sounding board, if she needs it. And, at some point, she’ll feel strong enough to not just believe in what she has, but fully open up to the people that she’s got on her side. Now, that’ll be a sight to see.
MORE: Our review of NCIS: Sydney Season 2, Episode 4 is here!
A TEAM
NCIS: Sydney Season 2, Episode 5 ‘Shucked’ really highlights the team dynamics in very different ways. It gives Blue and Doc Roy a chance to solidify their bond, it allows both sets of partners to partner and it ends with a lighthearted moment for the entire team that feels like a family moment. It’s a great showcase of what has worked well for this show, an entire unit, broken down into little individual and well-developed relationships and yet, with characters that are also interesting on their own.
So sure, nothing big happened in ‘Shucked’, but if you ask me, I wouldn’t take back this episode. It gave us Mackey’s horrible dancing. It gave us Doc Roy and Blue Dancing. It gave us J.D. doing whatever it was he was doing on the dance floor. It gave us Evie and DeShawn in that club. And it gave us a team I am always rooting for.
MORE: Did Michelle Mackey appear on NCIS? Here’s what happened!
Things I think I think:
- Good to at least see Rankin again.
- “Boss don’t dance.” There’s a STORY there.
- The conversation about pronunciation is hilarious.
- Is Blue trying to explain the semen thing the highlight of this episode? MAYBE.
- No complaints to Evie and DeShawn getting to work together, but Evie telling DeShawn she knows he’s never been to rave and the continuity to babysitting? Beeeautiful.
- “I don’t actually know my date of birth.”
- Ok, I asked for a Blue episode, I did not ask for pain.
- The story this episode actually gave me some feelings.
- Partnerships be partnering, too.
- Doc Roy and Blue, I’m gonna cry.
- Blue using her fake birthday to get J.D. to dance!
- Michelle “I don’t dance” Mackey getting up for her partner.
- Evie and Deshawn!
- “It’s all relative.”
- The entire team dancing!
- I love them, your honor.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Sydney Season 2, Episode 5 ‘Shucked’? Share with us in the comments below! And if you have your own opinion on the show, leave a review/rating on our NCIS: Sydney hub!
NCIS: Sydney airs Fridays at 8/7c on CBS.
