NCIS: Sydney Season 3, Episode 6 ‘Sucker Punch’ is a procedural masterpiece in how to make all the pieces of the puzzle work together to make a show that is both intentional, entertaining, and emotional. The hour, which has Doc Roy at its center, still allows for the relationship between Doc and Blue to carry its emotional weight, while giving Mackey and JD, and even DeShawn and Evie enough space that we don’t feel like they’re just glorified extras.
It is true that NCIS: Sydney doesn’t have as big a cast as some other procedurals, but the show has also been proving consistently that it’s got a very clear idea of how to make all these characters matter. Sometimes, pacing is a procedural death knell. Often, shows cannot focus on more than one character at a time, or choose not to. NCIS: Sydney, however, understands why we’re watching. And it’s trying very, very hard to deliver what fans want.
The result is another episode that feels not just like it advances every storyline, but that makes us a little bit emotional because, even though this show had only 18 episodes between its first two seasons, we know these characters. We are invested in their lives. And we want much, much more.
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DOC & BLUE
We always figured it made sense for Doc, and by extension Blue, to be the ones who were going to get sick in this episode. Forensic pathologist always goes down first, and Blue is the one he always gets the emotional storylines with. But even though we weren’t surprised, that doesn’t mean that the story didn’t work for us or that William McInnes didn’t absolutely gut us with his performance.
It’s understandable for Doc Roy to feel like, without Alice, he doesn’t really have a reason to go on. It’s irrational, because he himself fought against Blue believing this for herself a few episodes ago, but grief isn’t rational. He hasn’t even had Alice for a while, but in a way, because her disease took her slowly, there was a level of denial to the loss. Now even that is gone, and what does Doc Roy have?
The team, and Blue, in particular. Blue, who has already made it clear that he is family, too. Blue, whom he fought for and broke a few laws for. Blue, who would do the same for him—and who would put her own life at risk to convince him that he is important. And sometimes it’s easier to give up, it truly is. But that’s not what Doc Roy really wants. Instead, he wants a reason to keep going. And Blue gives him that.
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THE TEAM
On an episode that doesn’t focus on the Mackey and JD dynamics or Evie and DeShawn’s, there’s still enough, particularly of Mackey and JD, to feel like we know them a little bit better. There’s a very sweet and on-character moment of Mackey comforting JD, who is taking Blue and Doc Roy being sick very hard, because they’re his people, he’s known them for longer, and also, he’s just a more in-touch-with-his-emotions guy who can feel things out loud. But there’s also Mackey’s clear disregard for rules if it means helping her team. And there’s Evie and DeShawn, not missing a beat and following their leads.
NCIS: Sydney has done a great job of building a team that works, one we believe cares about each other, despite the focus on the main dynamics. Sure, Mackey and JD get most of the development, and I would wager the show is building them up to a big romantic moment sooner rather than later. And yes, we would like more of both Evie and DeShawn, perhaps Evie a little bit more, because at times it feels like we don’t have the tools to understand her well enough.
But every time the show falls back on team dynamics, the episode works. If we want more sometimes, it’s because we like these characters. That’s not a bad sign. In fact, it’s a really, really good one.
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Things I think I think:
- LOL, that box is gonna cause havoc in such a competitive office.
- “I’ve got police things to do anyway,” sure JD. Sure.
- Okay, is no one going to ask if Doc Roy is okay?
- Yay, contagion! Not.
- Doc got serious real fast when he and Blue got exposed.
- Ebola? In Australia?
- JD remembering the cop gave me feelings.
- The Alice mention, and I knew.
- “I’m calling Nurse Jackie and House,” JD, you make me laugh.
- This Rankin business is making me worried. Truly worried.
- Doc, don’t you dare leave us.
- Mackey comforting JD was very good.
- Okay, but Mackey’s “clearance is not a word I care about right now” was hot.
- Blue going rogue for Doc Roy might have gotten a tear out of me. Not a great idea! But I get it!
- “Please don’t leave me,” and “Don’t die on me, you old bastard,” the two moods.
- You have people, Rosie.
- “Sometimes there’s no good choice, Agent Mackey.”
- Real knows real, I guess.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Sydney Season 3, Episode 6, ‘Sucker Punch’? 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.
