Review: NCIS: New Orleans ‘Bad Apple’

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Warning: Post contains spoilers

“NCIS: New Orleans” season 6 episode 3 “Bad Apple” opens with Special Agent Dwayne “King” Pride (Scott Bakula) chasing a suspect through an underground labyrinth of tunnels. However, when Pride bursts through a door, he stumbles out onto the streets of the Big Apple, not the Big Easy. Flashback to 48 hours earlier, and Dwayne chats with his doctor about sleeping troubles. She encourages Pride to fill his sleeping pill prescription, reassuring him that weeks without sleep is both physically and mentally dangerous. “It’s always the same people,” Dwayne explains of his dreams. “Victim from a past case. Guy in a red suit. Think it means something?” Pausing, his doctor admits, “Maybe. But not necessarily. Just remember, it is not the dream telling you something, it’s you telling yourself.” Their session is interrupted when Jefferson Parish medical examiner Loretta Wade (CCH Pounder) calls Pride in.
Upon visiting the morgue, Loretta informs Pride that she’s investigating the first case they ever worked together, back when Pride was a Jefferson Parish Sherrif. Ashley Griffin, a teenage girl went missing and was found dead several days later. The suspect, Elliot Whitman (Fredrick Koehler), now living in New York City, was never convicted. However, when a fire breaks out in his apartment building, firefighters discovered a box with various items in the vent. Among them, there’s a pair of underwear. Since Whitman was listed as a suspect in the Ashley Griffin murder, NYPD tested the panties for DNA. It tested positive. Unfortunately, NYPD doesn’t have enough evidence to hold Whitman. Earlier in the season, Dwayne had a visit planned to see his daughter Laurel (Shanley Caswell) but was forced to cancel. “Sounds like this might be the perfect time for a visit,” Dwayne suggests.

Upon arriving in NYC, Pride teams up with NYPD Detective David Cabrera (Lenny Platt). But this time, while investigating Whitman, Pride plays the seasoned, levelheaded agent whereas earlier Dwayne was a fresh, green sheriff. Meanwhile, Agent Chris LaSalle (Lucas Black) continues the search for his brother, Cade who went missing. Cade suffers from bipolar disorder. A breakthrough comes when Cade’s girlfriend’s son William provides insight into why Cade went on the run.

Agent Sebastian Lund (Rob Kerkovich) harbors aspirations of joining the NCIS REACT team. The Regional Enforcement Action Capabilities Training team is similar to SWAT in that it’s an elite group of agents called in to assist in high-risk situations. However, Sebastian initially approaches the idea timidly. When LaSalle overhears Sebastian discussing an application on the phone, Sebastian lies stating “I am applying for a refi on my house, cuz these rates, I’m telling you, they’re dynamite.” Then, when Special Agent Tammy Gregorio discovers his ambitions to join REACT, she mocks, “Really? Well, I’m thinking of applying to the Royal Ballet. Maybe we’ll both get lucky.” Likewise, Loretta catches Sebastian watching NCIS REACT videos, wondering “Isn’t that the NCIS REACT team?” Surprised, Sebastian responds, “Yeah it is, you know them? They’re amazing. They handle our most dangerous situations. Active shooters, violent felon takedowns…I’m actually thinking of applying.” When Sebastian asks for Wade’s opinion, she bursts out “It’s a terrible idea. You’re a scientist, not that…I can’t even believe you’re considering it.” As Sebastian explains to Gregorio, “I’ve been growing as a field agent the past couple years…sometimes I just feel like I’m the little brother…like I’m this geek that’s surrounded by these people with all this experience.”

Observations:

“NCIS: New Orleans” S06E03 “Bad Apple” swaps the Big Easy for the Big Apple for a refreshing change of scenery. It’s been a while since Laurel Pride returned to the show, and I enjoyed catching up with her character. Plus, Det. Cabrera appears to hit it off with Laurel. Perhaps this isn’t the last time we’ll see the NYPD detective on “NCIS NOLA.”

The Elliot Whitman investigation remains engaging enough. From the onset, it’s pretty clear he’s guilty. Yet there’s a solid twist in the third act. Where “Bad Apple” truly excels is in Pride’s success at getting Whitman to confess. He plays a simple mind game which yields a huge payoff.

Aside from the Ashley Griffin case, “NCIS: New Orleans” episode “Bad Apple” once again advances a few storyarcs. LaSalle makes progress in finding his brother Cade. Sebastian sort of steals the show again as one of the most dynamic characters. His transition from the lab to the field, and potentially to the NCIS REACT team subverts expectations. It’s almost as if Lund speaks to the audience when he explains to Gregorio that he often feels like the geeky little brother. Sure, Sebastian does offer his fair share of witty commentary, and as a fellow geek, I often appreciate his pop culture references and quirky sense of humor. Yet, Sebastian is far more than just comic relief. In fact, he’s established himself as one of the most integral components of the NCIS NOLA outfit.

Special Agent Hannah Khoury (Necar Zadegan) and Investigative Computer Specialist Patton “Triple P” Plame (Daryl “Chill” Mitchell) don’t get much screentime. I’m a bit disappointed that Pride’s half-brother Jimmy Boyd (Jason Alan Carvell) hasn’t reappeared yet, particularly after solidifying himself last season. Hopefully he’ll be back on. Balancing storyarc with standalone plot, “Bad Apple” is a good “NCIS: New Orleans” entry.