Nothing scares procedural fans as much as the dreaded words: Part One. And NCIS: Sydney Season 3, Episode 12 ‘Lone Wolf: Part One’ perfectly delivered on the promise of those dreaded words, by ending the episode with not just one member of the team in mortal peril, but two. Can Trigger save Evie? And, can he save himself? We will find out… next week.
Even though there’s something about the first part of a two-parter that never quite hits as right by itself, this is a pretty good episode of the show that delivers on the promise at the end, but that also does a good job of pulling on threads that have already been established about the dynamics of the character. And, it does that while also providing us with some backstory on the newest member of our team: Trigger.
Are we attached? Probably more than we expected to be when he first showed up, which is a net positive. Bringing in characters when the dynamics of the ones you have already works as well as it did in this show can be tricky. And yet Trigger never feels like he takes away from anyone. If anything, he adds to the vibes. Hopefully, he can use his skills to save our Evie now.
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LONE WOLF?
The ‘lone wolf’ in the title can apply to the bomber, of course, but it can also apply to Trigger. And yet this hour proves that, when it comes to Trigger, he’s anything but a lone wolf these days. Instead, he’s found his pack. His team.
Which is how we end up in the mess we end up, but that’s neither here nor there.
It’s a slow realization for Trigger, honestly. We spend so long with him mourning his old team and trying to get justice for them and for his dead fiancée that we don’t have much time for the thought to settle. But everyone, from JD to Mackey to Evie and Blue… everyone is not just supporting him this hour, but also caring for him in their own way.
As I said before, Trigger could have been a character that didn’t fit. And yet the show brought him in, gave him something to do, never used him in a way that felt like he was taking away from other characters or other dynamics, and now that they’re delving into his backstory, we’re all suddenly realizing that we already care for Trigger. There’s no going back now.
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A FEW MOMENTS OF SELF-AWARENESS
In an episode focused on Trigger we still get a few really great moments of self-awareness for a couple of characters. We have Evie admitting to bomber dude, before she knows it’s him, that she sometimes deflects with humor—in a bad way. We already know this, of course. DeShawn in particular, knows this. But seeing Evie vocalize it feels like a big thing, because it’s absolutely not something she can change unless she’s willing to face it.
We also have Mackey almost tell JD about what was taken in the previous episode, only to get interrupted by a literal bomb. It’s a big step, even if she doesn’t end up taking it, and one that shows how much Mackey actually trusts her partner. It’s no surprise, just as the few moments the two have this episode, where it seems like they’re communicating without words, are not either. But it’s still a great thing to see—and something we want to see more of.
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Things I think I think:
- About that? Were you about to tell him, Mackey? Were you?
- Of course, Mackey goes with JD. Sold as a set, do not separate.
- Am I sensing sparks between Doc and this other ME?
- Why would you open a random QR code in the middle of a crime scene with your own phone, Mackey?
- I’m glad we’re getting to see Trigger in his element!
- “Suboptimal self-preservation reflex,” lol. Yeah, he’s got a death wish.
- Trigger seemed a little surprised even Evie and D were there.
- “Give us another job. Only way you’re going to get rid of us.”
- Is that… flirting, Doc? Are you flirting?
- Oh, his fiancée.
- “Is this where you tell me I’m too close to the case?”/”Not really how I roll.”
- But she is checking on him.
- And the little nod to JD.
- I mean, there kind of is a rush, Evie.
- The thing is, in a long season, this episode works.
- And it’s giving us some context on JD, too.
- Plus, seeing him this mad at this friend was A+.
- “Now he has Evie, and that’s on you.”
- We forget JD and Evie were partners first.
- They really just let Trigger walk away.
- Oh, fun. A bomb collar!
- And Trigger is shot, too.
- I hate to be continueds so much.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS: Sydney Season 3, Episode 12 ‘Lone Wolf: Part One’? 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.
