NCIS Season 22 Episode 4 ‘Sticks & Stones’ is the most effective episode of the younger season to date, and the form of episode NCIS has excelled at for over twenty years: a excessive stakes, team-centric hour. It’s additionally an important episode for Jessica Knight and Jimmy Palmer’s relationship, even when we don’t get the decision we’d have needed for his or her relationship.
Above all, the hour establishes what an important alternative Gary Cole’s Aiden Parker was to steer this group after the departure of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. One other present would have gone for a Gibbs copycat, however Gibbs couldn’t get replaced, so the present needed to go one other means. That the way in which they selected – the character they picked to fill these sneakers – isn’t just nearly as good a personality as he’s, however works as effectively inside this group as Gibbs ever did, is a testomony not simply to Cole, however to indicate that has reinvented itself fairly just a few instances after large forged departures and has by no means, ever missed.
So, allow us to go into the ship stuff, the group stuff, and Parker as we focus on NCIS Season 22, Episode 4 ‘Sticks & Stones’:
MORE: What did we consider NCIS Season 22, Episode 1? What about NCIS Season 22, Episode 2? And NCIS Season 22, Episode 3?
WOULDN’T IT BE NICE IF THAT WERE ENOUGH
We knew NCIS Season 22, Episode 4 ‘Sticks & Stones’ was going to be an enormous episode for Knight In Shining Palmer, and it was …however issues didn’t go the way in which we needed them to. As an alternative, they went the way in which they in all probability would go in actual life. The way in which that is sensible. And…that’s a really exhausting tablet to swallow proper now.
Don’t get me unsuitable, I perceive the 2 of them not leaping again right into a relationship, as a result of the underlying points haven’t been solved – or a minimum of, they’re not able to admit that issues have modified sufficient that the connection can be value one other go. I’ve a sense that’s, in a means, what the present is organising. Jessica understanding that household is perhaps extra vital than a doable job that gained’t ever make her as glad as being with Jimmy did and Jimmy understanding that he’s allowed to need issues and to carry onto them. To ask for issues from the individual he’s in a relationship with.
However regardless of mutual assurances of the love they nonetheless really feel for one another, Jessica and Jimmy aren’t there but. And truthfully, they could by no means get there in the event that they don’t do the work they should do internally. Ignoring the problems introduced them nothing however ache. And there’s one thing to be stated about engaged on this stuff for your self, not simply to attempt to repair a relationship. However they nonetheless need to be actively engaged on them. This can’t be a factor they stated no to as a result of they each have issues to work out after which have them not work on the issues.
So, principally, what I’m saying is …I can reside with this storyline if the present is basically going someplace with it and never simply shelving Jessica and Jimmy with out giving them an opportunity to develop into the individuals they must be to get again collectively. Contemplating this can be a procedural and Jessica and Jimmy are the principle ship of NCIS, I consider there’s a plan. I might similar to to see some motion right here sooner reasonably than later.
MORE: Is NCIS: Origins well worth the watch? Right here’s our spoiler-free NCIS: Origins assessment!
WE TAKE OUR AGENCY BACK
NCIS Season 22, Episode 4 ‘Sticks & Stones’ was in some way each a group episode, an episode about Jessica and Jimmy’s relationship, and a Parker episode. Nevertheless it was particularly a Parker episode as a result of the hour showcased how good he isn’t just at his job, however at being the chief of this specific group of individuals – and the way a lot all of them belief him.
Parker wasn’t the apparent successor to Gibbs. In reality, when Gary Cole got here in after Gibbs left, there was a bit little bit of disconnect. He wasn’t in any respect like Gibbs and we have been very used to the Gibbs means. In a means, it’s like Gibbs introduced us up after which Parker got here in to be the stepdad and nobody was actually positive how that will work out. Nevertheless, three seasons later, it looks like that is very a lot Parker’s group. Nobody questions it, not even McGee, who was there for many of Gibbs’ run.
It really works as a result of Parker is agency otherwise from Gibbs, he’s mild otherwise from Gibbs, and since the dynamics have by no means been the identical. We’re by no means evaluating the 2 in our heads. One period of NCIS ended, and the following one started and that’s advantageous. Each could be good. We are able to like Parker’s relationship with McGee, his banter with Torres, and the way in which he pertains to Jessica with out which means that we didn’t take pleasure in Gibbs and Tony, or Gibbs and Ziva.
This episode was take-charge Parker and chief Parker. The season guarantees to offer us extra backstory on the emotional a part of Parker. Contemplating how a lot we already like him, that may solely make the character higher.
MORE: In case you want a reminder of Gibbs’ guidelines, right here they’re!
THERE’S NO ‘I’ IN TEAM
However maybe an important factor about NCIS Season 22, Episode 4 ‘Sticks & Stones’ was how effectively the group obtained issues performed, even after they weren’t collectively. Each a part of this ensemble works effectively inside the context of what the present wants them to do. Not simply that, you too can separate them into virtually any configuration of two or three individuals, and the dynamics will work.
That’s a uncommon factor on TV usually, and even in procedurals and it’s a part of the spine of this franchise. It permits them to take action many alternative issues as a result of they don’t need to exit of their means to ensure Jessica has scenes with Torres or the episode doesn’t work, or that Parker and McGee are paired up. As an alternative, the present can choose and select no matter every storyline wants and use the characters finest suited to every second.
We’re solely 4 episodes into this season, and the excellent news is that there’s a whole lot of narrative left. We’re not virtually midway, because it occurred final yr. This yr, each story could have room to develop. And hopefully, that’ll consequence within the characters and relationships getting a lot richer, as a result of we get to discover them in new methods. Personally, I can’t wait.
MORE: There’s one other NCIS try to be watching! Get caught up with all our NCIS: Sydney protection right here!
Issues I feel I feel:
- Hilarious how we don’t know what’s taking place initially, however Parker’s face says all of it.
- “Don’t cross go, don’t acquire 200.”
- Informal, it’s simply WWIII!
- “I used to be at an all-night D&D session.” Probably place for Kasie to be.
- Nicely, enjoyable to see how a lot politicians care in regards to the individuals on the bottom doing the work.
- “Are you able to please play 3D chess for as soon as?” HE IS.
- “You weren’t loud night breathing so I obtained nervous” is so couple-coded.
- This dude who thinks Naples is in Florida is giving one specific politician whose title I gained’t point out.
- CURTIS WROTE THE CODE?
- I’m not gonna lie, I like Curtis.
- “Am I pro-nuke?”
- Parker’s agency “no” was extraordinarily enticing.
- And McGee being like yeah, I’m not gonna do this? SAME.
- “I’m not required to comply with an order I really feel is illegitimate.”
- Man, I like Parker.
- Jessica and Jimmy are so awkward collectively nowadays, it hurts me.
- Parker and McGee in that elevator was A+.
- I ALSO love Curtis.
- “We take our company again.”
- “Somebody loyal to the mutiny,” adopted by “Don’t insult me.” And Kasie. I simply love this group, okay?
- How did I get a love confession from each and it nonetheless looks like Jessica and Jimmy are farther aside than they’ve ever been?
- Vance coming in only for the gotcha second, gotta love Vance.
Agree? Disagree? What did you consider NCIS Season 22, Episode 4 ‘Sticks & Stones’? Share with us within the feedback under!
NCIS airs Mondays at 9/8c on CBS.