Review: NCIS New Orleans ‘Bad Moon Rising’

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Warning: Post contains spoilers

“NCIS: New Orleans” season 6 episode 11 opens with a group of white nationalists, the Real American Corps, preparing to kill one of their own for shooting his mouth off about the Corps. Just before he’s shot, a shadowy figure shouts “Wait!” Stepping into the light, NCIS Agent Sebastian Lund (Rob Kerkovich) suggests, “Let me do it. I’ve seen a lot of dead people, never actually killed one myself.” Walking him over to a dock at gunpoint, Lund whispers “Hold your breath. Stay down for as long as possible,” before seemingly firing.

In the interrogation room later, it’s revealed that an Aviation Mechanic out of Belchase, Jeff Teagen, was recruited by the Real American Corps. When Teagen refused to join, he was murdered. Special Agents Hannah Khoury (Necar Zadegan) and Dwayne “King” Pride (Scott Bakula) search for the identity of the RAC head. He goes by the moniker of the Commander. And apparently, the Corps is planning something big.

At a bar, Khoury and Special Agent Tammy Gregorio (Vanessa Ferlito) rendezvous with the still-undercover Sebastian. Sliding a glass across the bar to Sebastian, Tammy states, “I got you a diet root beer, twist of lime. Just how you like it.” Lund thanks her, “You are a lifesaver. You have no idea how much crap beer I’ve pretended to drink over the past two weeks.” Concerned, Gregorio questions Sebastian, “How you doin’?” He responds, “Oh great. You know, I was kinda wishing that my first time going undercover this long had been with a band of vicious Pokemon nerds. It’s hard. These guys are pretty messed up.” Pausing, Sebastian changes topics wondering, “Hey did my decision from the REACT team come?” Unfortunately, their meeting is unceremoniously interrupted by the Real American Corps.

Taking Sebastian to a remote home in Louisianna, the RAC introduces Sebastian to their leader, Commander Jim Keene (Brian Letscher). Commander Keene tasks Lund with cleaning up a mess, more specifically a corpse. Cleverly, Sebastian disposes of the body but leaves a message for Jefferson Parish medical examiner Loretta Wade (CCH Pounder), writing Pride on the arm of the deceased, as well as leaving the body parts in a location where it’s quickly found. Investigative Computer Specialist Patton “Triple P” Plame (Daryl “Chill” Mitchell) identifies Keene as the Commander, but unfortunately Sebastian still doesn’t know the complete mission. The Commander keeps information siloed, doling out information on a need-to-know basis.

Meanwhile, Pride’s sleeping troubles persist. Dwayne is plagued by visions of the Man in the Red Suit (Neal Bledsoe). Triple P creates a mock-up of the Man in the Red Suit’s face. Patton offers to run the sketch through facial recognition. After Sebastian, while undercover and on Pride’s orders, punches King with a nasty right cross, Dwayne remembers the Man in the Red Suit standing in the rain, his face beaten and bloody. After this, Pride mysteriously orders Patton to cease looking into the identify of this strange figure.

Observations: 

“NCIS: New Orleans” S06E11 “Bad Moon Rising” takes on white nationalism. It’s refreshing to see a show like “NCIS NOLA” taking a stand against white nationalism. In episode “Overlooked,” the series condemned ICE detention centers and Trump-era immigration policies. Likewise, in “Bad Moon Rising” lambastes white nationalism which has been on the rise in the Trump administration.

It’s delightful watching Sebastian undercover. Not only does he impressively rock a handlebar moustache which hopefully becomes a Sebastian staple, but Lund also exhibits tremendous growth as a character. Initially, Sebastian was relegated to the role of geeky comic relief lab rat. Now, he’s evolved into a competent field agent, capable of nerve-fraying undercover operations. While Lund is invited to join the NCIS REACT team, it’s unclear how, it at all, his experience infiltration the Real American Corps will impact his decision. The question of Sebastian leaving the NCIS NOLA squad remains.

Curiously, Pride appears to recognize the Man in the Red Suit. I’m rather intrigued by this season-spanning subplot. It’s Lynchian but not too esoteric. Pride’s definitely hiding something, possibly about a past case. Overall, “NCIS: New Orleans” episode “Bad Moon Rising,” is an excellent Sebastian-centric romp. My only minor complaint: really Sebastian, no Commander Keen reference?