NCIS Season 23, Episode 16 ‘S.O.S.’ is a well-constructed case episode, in that the case is interesting, but the character development actually reaches the characters we know and love. This show, in general, is very good at that balance. Case-heavy episodes rarely feel like hours where we learn nothing about our series regulars. It’s just that we’re not really sure what we’re learning, or why.
The McGee storyline, at least, makes sense. Seeing him struggle with where he fits in Mateo’s life makes sense. The little nods at something else, that ends up being nothing, but that the show never truly shuts down for good, when it comes to Jessica and Nick, do not. What is the show doing here? And, almost as importantly, why is it doing whatever it is they’re doing?
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SOMETIMES IT’S BEST TO SHOW UP AS YOURSELF
Mateo as a storyline for McGee only makes sense if the show continues carrying that forward, so it was actually good to see McGee struggle with what having a son who is basically an adult means. How does he bond with someone when they don’t have many experiences in common? Can you show up as yourself? Is being yourself enough?
That fear is understandable, but for any relationship that you plan to sustain for longer than a few hours, you really have no other choice. You can’t live your life pretending to be someone else. And even if you could, how satisfying would that relationship be?
Plus, there’s also the fact that Mateo already met McGee, and once everything was cleared up, seemed willing to have a relationship with him. With the man he met, not the one McGee thinks he’s gotta be. For a kid like Mateo, finding his dad after all this time probably feels like a gift. There’s no need for McGee to pretend to be someone else. He’s just gotta be Mateo’s dad.
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OPPOSITES DO NOT ATTRACT
‘S.O.S.’ continues to play the same game with Jessica and Nick that the show has been playing for basically the entire season. Ironically, they’re still trying to play this game even while giving us two episodes this very season that pretty much establish that Ellie is the one for Nick and Jimmy is the one for Jessica. So, what is the point of the game?
When we see Jessica and Nick interact, it’s fun. They get along. We enjoy their partnership. But unlike so many partners in so many procedurals, there doesn’t feel like there’s a romantic vibe there. There never has. If anything, they feel like two siblings annoyed with each other at all times. And in this episode, that’s what they’re giving. 100%. And when we’re truly convinced that’s what the show wants us to think, they throw a wink-wink moment at us that’s designed to make us doubt.
But why? Is it because Ellie is not around and they don’t want Jessica and Jimmy back together yet? Is it because they’re actually going to go there and make it all crash and burn? I cannot believe NCIS really thinks Jessica and Jimmy are a sustainable long-term romantic relationship, so what gives? Why are we here? Because we’re getting really, really tired of this game.
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Things I think I think:
- Look, I don’t want to be the one to say it, Tim, but you’re getting old.
- I agree, it is annoying that Torres is good at everything.
- But do 18-year-olds really want to bond over baseball?
- Jimmy judging Nick’s clothes and, well, his entire outdoorsy vibe or lack thereof, was pretty funny. Particularly because it’s dead on.
- Lol, Dora the Explorer.
- “Those are not directions, those are the lyrics to Pocahontas.”
- Oh man, it takes me back! McGee talking about when he was a prisoner on that boat, like twenty million years ago.
- Look, the shooting came out of nowhere!
- “Spare me the machismo.”
- LOL, such a sibling thing to be like stop breathing on me. Truly.
- Zero sexual tension.
- “Maybe she found something to live for.”
- I think Jess and Nick actually make very good partners. They complement each other.
- Appreciate McGee a lot this episode.
- Cannot help but roll my eyes at this continued is something happening thing the show is doing with Knight and Torres.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS Season 23, Episode 16 ‘S.O.S.’? 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.
