NCIS: Sydney Season 2, Episode 9 ‘Mango Madness’ turns out to be the first part in a two-part season finale, and it works pretty well because the episode also turns up the heat on the one dynamic they’ve kinda kept on the back burner the entire season, that of J.D. and Mackey. And hey, there’s also setup for a big reveal from Blue, and some good emotional beats from both Evie and DeShawn.
How this all ties to Rankin, I’m not sure, but I somehow don’t believe the show is going to end the season without tying it all back to Rankin, so I believe somehow, we will be back there. And we’re going to have to deal with the uncomfortable feelings the heat brought out in this team while we do it!
MORE: Did Michelle Mackey appear on NCIS? Here’s what happened!
GREEN-EYED MONSTER
It’s funny how there’s probably nothing J.D. can do to avoid the elephant in the room after this episode, because he spent the entire hour acting like a jealous boyfriend, and absolutely everyone noticed. Perhaps Mackey didn’t pick up on exactly what was happening or why, because when you’re inside the dynamic, it’s like you’ve got blinders on, but everyone outside of it was catching on fast.
But the million-dollar question is, was J.D.? He didn’t seem to be doing it on purpose, he just seemed to be reacting. And Mackey, likewise, was just reacting to him. But at some point, one of them is going to have to realize what their reactions to each other mean. They’ve built a partnership on mutual trust and have already proven this season that they not only share that, but that they really enjoy spending time together. They have fun. The chemistry has always been apparent. And that chemistry hasn’t exactly been platonic.
However, the next step is one that they have to take with their eyes open, and it doesn’t seem like either of them is there yet. They’re closer, of course. J.D. would probably not be able to explain his reactions to himself if he had to, and Mackey’s reaction to his reaction is pretty telling, too. But it seems like they still need a little nudge to realize that’s actually happening. The question now is, what will it be?
MORE: Revisit what we learned about J.D. and Mackey’s dynamic in our interview with Olivia Swann.
THE TEAM THAT SWEATS TOGETHER
NCIS: Sydney Season 2, Episode 9 ‘Mango Madness’ takes the team out of their comfort zone, and it’s actually kinda great to see them all struggling in the heat. It’s especially noteworthy how the episode gives everyone a poignant moment, a light moment, and a funny moment. The show is very good at that, and I know it’s easier in a procedural with only six main characters, but it’s still something to celebrate because not every show does as good a job as this one.
And maybe next episode we’ll get to pick back up on what Blue wanted Doc Roy to look at, on that thread of awkward jealousy between Mackey and J.D., maybe we’ll revisit the secrets we didn’t end up learning about Deshawn and Evie this season, or maybe we will just have a good time with the team. Either way, we know they’re coming back for Season 3, and we now know Season 1 wasn’t a fluke and that we can count on this show to not just entertain us, but to give us compelling, real characters. That’s what brings us back, week after week.
MORE: Our review of NCIS: Sydney Season 2, Episode 8 is here!
Things I think I think:
- Took them a while to remember DeShawn and Evie.
- DeShawn being proud of Mackey made me warm all over.
- I did not need all this information about crocodiles, Evie.
- Blue and Doc Roy and “whatever you need.”
- That was a very awkward “I’m having dinner off base.”
- Mackey, you sneaky.
- He is keeping tabs. Even if he said he wouldn’t dream of it.
- And hey, even Mackey acknowledged the awkwardness!
- J.D.’s face at the crocodile was priceless.
- I find J.D.’s jealousy in this episode kinda hilarious.
- Evie staying while Angus died was kinda sad.
- J.D. comforting Evie was very good. No fake words, just him being a good leader.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Sydney Season 2, Episode 9, ‘Mango Madness’? 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.
