NCIS Season 24, Episode 3 ‘Sleeping Dogs‘ takes the spotlight away from Tony’s (Michael Weatherly) return and focuses on Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama). It’s a win for the show, particularly as the hour picks up on a narrative thread that it felt like NCIS had completely forgotten about, namely Torres’ time undercover. And plus, if what they want is for people to tune in for Tony, there’s always something for him to do.
Nick Torres has always been the kind of character that has a little bit of darkness inside, whether because that’s who he is or because that’s who he believes he is. Either way, the dichotomy is interesting because we know enough by now to understand that Torres is more than the tough person he likes to project. This hour, if anything, puts him on a path towards finally discovering who he is. It just looks like it’s going to be a bumpy road.
Whether his offer to Keller (Mike O’Malley) is genuine or not, Torres is likely going to have to face the darkness he believes is part of him in order to understand if that’s really something he needs to claim or not. The good news? Torres has some people on his side, and a mentor that’s about a thousand times better than Keller, for when he needs someone to actually have his back.
MORE: Read our last NCIS review
WHAT’S A GOOD MENTOR?
An episode that doesn’t focus on Parker (Gary Cole) still manages to do a good job of showcasing why Parker works so well as the “Gibbs” of this team, even if his style is very different from Gibbs (Mark Harmon). There’s a tendency when you have a character like Leroy Jethro Gibbs, the one you build a franchise around, to try to replace him with someone similar. Or, someone who is the complete opposite.
Parker is neither of those things. He can go Gibbs every once in a while (remember the call he made last year to a sniper that will not be named?), but he is a little more of a nurturing presence than the Gibbs we met on NCIS, at least on the surface. And Parker is also very different from the new Director DiNozzo, even if in this hour they’re clearly both on Torres’ side.
When Torres starts to question what kind of man he is, it’s Parker he reaches out to; Parker he takes advice from. He might not be fully ready to accept what Parker is telling him, or to let himself believe that he can be the man Parker sees, but once he is, Parker will still be there for Nick. That’s what being a mentor really means. And also, if anyone understands hard choices and crossing lines, it’s Parker. That’s what makes him the right person for Nick to confide in, whenever he lets himself.
MORE: Want to brush up on Gibbs’ rules?
THE SEEDS OF CHANGE
In a way, this episode is also about the new status quo. The first two episodes were very Tony-heavy, because the show needed to establish why he was even in DC in the first place, and give him a place that belonged to him. This hour sees him take a step back, even if he’s always kinda around. This is a much better fit for him and for the team.
Even if you like Tony, NCIS in Season 24 cannot become just the Tony DiNozzo hour. And it especially cannot do that while trying to skirt the Ziva-shaped elephant in the room. We will likely go back to a Tony-centric hour sooner rather than later, and that hour will hopefully feature Ziva (Cote de Pablo) and Tali (Isla Gie). But in the meantime, it’s great for the show to establish a clear storyline for Torres going forward.
Next? Hopefully Jimmy (Brian Dietzen). Parker got a big running storyline in Season 23, and so did Jessica. When was the last time Jimmy got something substantial? What about Kasie (Diona Reasonover)? It’s not that I want them to suffer, but sometimes you gotta rattle the cage a little bit in order to get good stories.
MORE: How to Watch Every NCIS Show in Order
Things I think I think:
- Undercover Torres is a little scary, not gonna lie.
- I’m very excited for this storyline of Tim being vetted thoroughly for SecNav’s job.
- No, no, don’t bring birthdays back Jimmy.
- “What a pleasant and totally expected surprise.”
- Roomie?
- Jimmy, the birthday cakes at the morgue are too much.
- “It’s gonna swallow you whole.” Actually, listen to Tony here.
- When Keller poured Torres a drink despite him saying he was sober, I was done with him.
- “Left me for that cushy desk job with Gibbs and his team.”
- How dare he tell him that “this place had made you weak”?
- Is Torres really an adrenaline junkie?
- “Nick Torres is the cover.”
- Parker is such a good mentor, in such a different way than Gibbs.
- He’s what Keller wishes he were.
- “I have some experience with shady mentors. Best to keep tabs on them.”
- Tony for the win, actually.
- “She’s a killer, Nick, and people don’t change.”
- “If you ever need anyone to talk to, you know where to find me.”
- Parker, tell me you’re gonna be on it when Torres starts going off the deep end.
- “Is that side job still open?”
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of NCIS Season 24, Episode 3 ‘Sleeping Dogs’? Share with us in the comments below!
NCIS airs Tuesdays at 8/9c on CBS.
