NCIS Season 23, Episode 4 ‘Gone Girls’ is the best kind of case-heavy episode, in that it features an engaging storyline with someone to root for, and it provides enough character moments to make it feel like we’ve learned something about the main characters. Procedurals often have to balance the big moments with the smaller ones that still add depth. NCIS has always been pretty adept at doing this, which is precisely why we’re still here, 23 seasons in.
However, by virtue of the fact that this team is still pretty new, all things considered, we still don’t know as much about Torres, Knight, Kasie, or even Parker as we do about McGee or Jimmy. So yes, it’s still pretty fun to learn what they think about something as innocuous as musicals or how they react to societal pressure. Even if it’s just Barbara’s musical theater debut.
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LOOK FOR THE HELPERS
On a large scale, NCIS Season 23, Episode 4 is about the helpers, about the people out there trying to do good things for others, without a selfish motive. Sometimes, in the world we live in, it’s hard to believe they exist. We all have to put ourselves first, in a way. But how often do we get out of our heads and stop thinking about our own problems to help others? NCIS isn’t the type of show we would think would be inviting us to do just that, and yet that’s what this hour is.
A reminder that, even in bad times, there are always people out there trying to help. And also a reminder of how important it is to be good to the people you spend time with. Not just those closest to you, but those in your periphery, your co-workers, your neighbors. Not everyone can be close family, but life is much better when it’s lived in a community and you have a hand in how you build that community. Even if it takes attending a musical performance you don’t actually want to watch.
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WHY JESSICA KNIGHT BELONGS AT NCIS
‘Gone Girls’ does a pretty good job of making clear why Jessica Knight belongs at NCIS, and not somewhere with NCIS: Elite or even training others. She’s a very, very good agent who’s got a lot to offer, but she’s especially good at connecting with people. Her empathy is a strength, and the way she doesn’t give up when she feels like she can be helpful, even going as far as to skirt the rules a little, doesn’t really fit with someone who ultimately has to be the one telling others to follow the rules.
Jessica isn’t a follower, and that’s why she is better served by being at a place where she can still do the parts of the job she loves, but not be tied to so many strict guidelines. She left her REACT training job because she missed her family, but I also don’t know if she would have found it as fulfilling after a while. Either way, it’s a good thing that the show is establishing that NCIS is the place for her outside of her romantic relationship or her feelings for her team.
That’s how the show starts to re-establish itself. It’s one thing to choose NCIS for Jimmy; it’s another thing to choose NCIS for yourself and then realize that the things that ended your relationship, the reasons why you never tried again, don’t exist anymore. It feels like we’re heading that way, and that’s a really good thing.
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Things I think I think:
- Great job by Rocky Carroll in directing this one! Seamless and fun hour.
- Shoe polish in Tony’s secret desk compartment?!
- Lol, Tony would definitely not approve. You’re right there, McGee.
- He’s actually gone out of his way to make sure he attends the gala, Jimmy, I love you.
- Jessica would be the kind to not like musicals.
- “Why they gotta sing, why don’t they just talk?” is something my husband has also said.
- Really? The pistol Aaron Burr used to kill Alexander Hamilton?
- I mean, I can see Nick liking Hamilton, actually.
- Barbara guilting them all without meaning to was kinda hilarious.
- Why should Kasie Hines be confined to her lab, indeed?
- The way these women know McGee’s alter ego, they just don’t like his books.
- What hits harder, Barbara talking about family, or Nick being like “I don’t know what family you grew up in.” Someone hug both! Hug each other!
- How does she know Nick’s favorite cake?!
- I love how Jessica figures it all out.
- Parker is indeed a good distraction at the FBI.
- Is anyone surprised it was the husband?
- Underground railroad for abused women? I love it so much.
- “When times are bad, look for the helpers. They’re everywhere.” This quote always hits me hard.
- Awww, that thing at the end with Barbara. Am I the only one who got a little emotional here?
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS Season 23, Episode 4 ‘Gone Girls’? Please share with us in the comments below! And if you have any thoughts about the show, leave a review/rating of your own in our NCIS hub!
NCIS airs Mondays at 8/7c on CBS.
