NCIS: Sydney Season 3, Episode 4 ‘The Truth Is Outback’ is a little bit of a throwback to The X-Files, all while showcasing the main two ships of the show and giving the two what every good ship needs to become even better: time together. NCIS: Sydney has so far done an excellent job of taking Mackey, JD, Evie, and DeShawn on cases and then having them split up so the team dynamics are showcased, but the ships also get a spotlight.
This is another episode that plays on those dynamics pretty well, and one that goes a little further than most with Mackey and JD almost putting the thing between them into words—or at least, the possibility. Evie and DeShawn, meanwhile, are still stuck in a third-grade kinda dynamic where they keep pulling at each other’s pigtails just to get a reaction, and though it works kinda well, it’s starting to get a little repetitive. They need a little more depth if we’re going to care about their relationship as much as we care about Mackey and JD.
MORE: Here’s our review of the Season 3 premiere. And Episode 2. Plus, Episode 3.
YOU FLY WITH SOMEONE LONG ENOUGH
‘The Truth Is Outback’ goes further into putting the Mackey and JD of it all into words than any episode has before. Because we know they’ve recognized it at this point. They’ve just been skirting around it. And since we’ve seen other ships like this, we know how this goes. They’re in the stage where they understand there’s something there, between them. They know it makes sense. But they won’t put a name to it, much less take a step forward willingly.
For two people who have grown as close as Mackey and JD, but who still have a lot of personal baggage to deal with, there’s just a lot to risk. Not just a partnership they’ve come to depend on, and a job they enjoy, but a person they trust to have their back. Relationships always complicate things. Can you trust that romance will last? That it won’t get in the way of what you already have with this person? Is it even worth the risk?
Right now, the answer is no, for both of them. But it would probably only take a curveball or two to turn that into a soft yes. Right now, the safe option seems to be to do nothing. But with the promise of Mackey being in danger on the horizon, we have to wonder how safe it will actually turn out to be. And if something does happen to her, or someone comes after her, can they maintain the plausible deniability they’ve had until now? We can’t wait to find out.
MORE: Is NCIS: Sydney going there with Mackey and JD?
STILL A WAY TO GO
Evie and DeShawn, meanwhile, feel a lot farther from being able to not just put their emotions into words, but recognize what they meant to each other. They work well together, but their interactions are still tinged with antagonism 99% of the time, particularly on Evie’s part. And I get it—we don’t know everything about her childhood, but we know enough to understand it’s a defense mechanism, a way to protect herself. If she keeps people at bay, if she treats them this way, then it won’t hurt as much when they leave her. And they always leave her.
In many ways, it seems like the show is playing at Evie, realizing that this isn’t the case. That DeShawn and the team won’t leave her. But what will it take for her to get there or to at least budge a little? It’s hard to tell, but the answer for a procedural is probably a little bit of danger—not for her, but for DeShawn. That, or for her to find herself in the kind of problem no one can help with, and have him step in to do so anyway. He parries her volleys well, but he’s clearly the softer of the two and the one who is a little bit more in touch with his emotions. He’s just following her lead.
Once again, I must compare them to Densi. And it took a while, but Kensi’s hard exterior did crack, and she went from constantly snipping at Deeks and saying borderline mean things to, you know, love of her life. The potential is there. Now we just have to see where NCIS: Sydney takes them.
MORE: We talked to Olivia Swann before Season 2. What did she say about Mackey and JD then?
Things I think I think:
- JD being the skeptic is kinda weird to me. I would have thought it would be the other way around. Which I guess is the point.
- “Evie, do your thing.” LOL
- I’m so confused about what’s going on with Blue.
- Mackey flying the helicopter!!
- Only JD makes Mackey laugh like that.
- “What did Trigger did, it was all Blue.” LOOOL
- Support is important!
- DeShawn and Evie trying to convince each other that aliens only come out at nighttime: two halves of a whole idiot.
- JD and Mackey got that non-verbal communication down pat!
- Why did you drink all the water, Evie? So often she takes the “game” too far and does things like this which end up being bad for both.
- He’s not Mulder, he’s Scully!
- But at least Evie and DeShawn can communicate with Mackey.
- “There’s nothing scary out there but your imagination.”
- If you say so.
- Oh, her grandma. Nice bit of Evie lore.
- JD, pick up, dammit.
- It was obviously the cop.
- Look, JD won, but he had help.
- “How come you never pick up when I call?”
- Partners, huh?
- “Well, you fly with someone long enough.” Excuse me?
- JD is like I haven’t seen a thing.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Sydney Season 3, Episode 4, ‘The Truth Is Outback’? 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 Tuesdays at 10/9c on CBS.
