Review: NCIS New Orleans ‘Convicted’

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Warning: Post contains spoilers

“NCIS: New Orleans” season 6 episode 9 “Convicted” resumes with justice for the late Special Agent Chris LaSalle (Lucas Black) after his murder in “Matthew 5:9.” The suspect, Edward Barrett, gets off when a mystery witness, Brad Collins. Although the fisherman Collins provides an airtight alibi, it’s far too convenient. Unfortunately, Special Agents Hannah Khoury (Necar Zadegan) and Dwayne  “King” Pride (Scott Bakula) hit a dead-end interviewing Collins. Brad insists that Barrett simply showed up and wanted to go fishing, then turned around about 9 PM after receiving a call that his friend had been shot. Throughout the entire interview, Collins keeps explaining that everything is on the paperwork. Disappointed, Khoury admits “That’s a good witness. He’s likeable no attitude.” Agreeing, Pride adds “We can’t break his story. Barrett’s gonna go free.”
With Eddie Barrett slated to go free, it’s all-hands-on-deck searching for a way to put Barrett behind bars. It’s clear that Eddie’s more than a common drug dealer. His followers exhibit an uncanny devotion. Despite the best efforts of Special Agent Tammy Gregorio (Vanessa Ferlito), Agent Sebastian Lund (Rob Kerkovich), Investigative Computer Specialist Patton “Triple P” Plame (Daryl “Chill” Mitchell), and Special Agent Khoury, as Pride puts it, “we’re on a losing path.” Rather than try to put Barrett away for LaSalle’s murder, Pride instead suggests focusing on the drug operation Eddie was running out of Mobile, Alabama.

With a renewed focus, Patton follows the money trail. Hannah and Gregorio seek out Barrett’s former cellmate in an attempt to discover more about his background. Sebastian and Pride perform surveillance on Barrett. Barrett’s old cellmate from prison ties him to running opioids in jail. Unfortunately, the physician’s assistant who was feeding Barrett drugs on the inside turns up dead.

Meanwhile, Gregorio and Khoury visit Sue-Anne Hughes, informing her that Barrett has been freed. However, she still refuses to talk. Pride realizes though that Barrett intended to kill Sue-Ann. He’s been cleaning house when Barrett’s witness, Brad, turns up dead as well as the PA. Gregorio goes undercover as a prisoner, ultimately saving Sue-Ann.

Jefferson Parish medical examiner Loretta Wade (CCH Pounder) teams up with her former lab assistant Sebastian. Loretta and Sebastian discover a strange plant substance. Armed with Sue-Anne’s testimony, the NCIS NOLA team realizes that Barrett’s more than just a drug dealer: he’s a cult leader. Tracking Eddie to his cult homestead, Pride and the NCIS New Orleans outfit confront Barrett’s followers, culminating in an armed standoff.

Observations:

“NCIS: New Orleans” S06E09 “Convicted” finds Pride and his team continuing to seek justice for LaSalle’s murder. It was clear during “Matthew 5:9” that Barrett wasn’t merely a drug dealer. As such, the revelation that he’s a cult leader makes sense. The main cast is incredibly well incorporated, and I enjoyed seeing Pride’s half-brother Jimmy Boyd (Jason Alan Carvell). In a touching scene, Jimmy brings Pride dinner, explaining that his mama used to say black beans are the answer to everything. Later, Barrett visits Pride’s bar, True Tone, where Jimmy works as the bartender.

The creepy, enigmatic Barrett keeps mentioning that Pride’s on a dangerous path. In the final showdown, Eddie proclaims “Out paths’ have already been chosen. Now we just need to see how it plays out.” It’s really unclear what Barrett means by all of this. Regardless, I’m excited to discover how the Eddie Barrett case resolves itself. It certainly took an unexpected turn.