Review: NCIS New Orleans ‘Operation Drano, Part 1’

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Warning: Post contains spoilers

While LeVar Burton may be best-known for making books cool on “Reading Rainbow” or his portrayal of Geordi LaForge on “Star Trek the Next Generation,” the veteran actor is equally as talented in front of and behind the camera. Burton’s directing credits include the cult classic Disney Channel Original Movie “Smart House,” as well as a handful of “NCIS New Orleans” episodes. And “NCIS New Orleans” season 7 episode 5 once again finds LeVar crafting a phenomenal episode.

Special Agents Tammy Gregorio (Vanessa Ferlito) and Hannah Khoury (Necar Zadegan) arrive on-scene to investigate a murder. “Welcome to a curiously enigmatic crime scene, ladies,” Special Agent Quentin Carter (Charles Michael Davis) announces. The victim, Todd VonRoenn, is a janitor at Stennis Space Center. Typically, civilian staff deaths don’t fall under NCIS jurisdiction. But Agent Sebastian Lund (Rob Kerkovich) suspects foul play, and thus the NCIS NOLA team is called in. A keycard in VonRoenn’s house allowing access to restricted labs at Stennis proves shady since the victim didn’t have any security clearance. Lund uncovers an LLZO ceramic membrane in VonRoenn’s car door lining. The future battery tech appears to be stolen tech from Stennis. A money trail leads back to Yachtvana, a private marina owned by smuggler Jorge Perez. This leads to a riotously-hilarious yet unsuccessful undercover operation by Carter. Despite Quentin’s ample confidence, the undercover op doesn’t quite go as planned. Still, Carter manages to plant a tracker on Jorge which unravels a conspiracy of Tom Clancy proportions.

Meanwhile, NCIS Special Agent Dwayne “King” Pride (Scott Bakula) struggles as the foreman of Mayor Zhara Taylor’s (Amanda Warren) commission to improve critical issues plaguing the Big Easy. Dubbed Crescent City 2.0 Commission, the committee argues about what to focus on. As Deputy Mayor Reyes, representing the mayor’s office, explains, the committee should produce action plans that can be put in front of the city council. But what specifically to target systemic inequality isn’t as clear cut. As young community organizer Allie Briggs lists off, educational racism, rental and mortgage bias, racial and gender wage gap, and homelessness are all equally as pressing problems for New Orleans. Briggs argues that the biggest issue currently is the New Orleans Police Department. NOPD, Briggs asserts, is responsible for discrimination, corruption, and brutality. Unfortunately, former NOPD Superintendent Michael Holland isn’t receptive to Briggs’s suggestions.  Jefferson Parrish Coroner Loretta Wade (CCH Pounder) gives Pride a pep talk, quipping “If only there was someone on the commission who knew better than anyone about how to put this city first,” insinuating that Pride is just that person.

At the True Tone, Pride’s partner Rita Devereaux (Chelsea Field, and Scott Bakula’s real-life wife) doles out supplies to help the local community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Investigative computer specialist Patton “Triple P” Plame (Daryl “Chill” Mitchell) seeks out Deveraux, a former U.S. District Attorney and previous Reserve Commander in the U.S. Navy’s JAG for assistance. Patton’s friend Diana’s son Erik was arrested for robbing a couple at knifepoint. However, Erik was blocks away from the spot of the mugging, and was arrested purely on witness testimony. Diana works three jobs and is cash-strapped. While Triple P was able to front the bail money, Erik was denied bail after a fight broke out in the holding cell. And since Erik has a job, he’s ineligible for a public defender. Plame recruits Rita as Erik’s attorney, and Devereaux agrees.

“NCIS New Orleans” S07E05 “Operation Drano, Part 1” features a quick but not rushed pacing. It packs a lot of plot and sub-plot. The main story arc investigating VonRoenn’s death and pilfered futuristic battery technology proves pulse-pounding. And the relationship-building between the team continues to shine. Showing up to a crime scene, Hannah asks Gregorio about her new girlfriend, Kara. During a stakeout, Quentin questions Khoury about how her daughter Naomi is handling the pandemic.

Both sub-plots, proving Erik’s innocence and the Crescent City 2.0 Committee arc, deliver nuanced portrayals of real-world issues. Erik’s arrest showcases the difficulties of poverty and racism. “It’s their word against Erik’s,” Patton laments. “That’s never good for a Black man.” Similarly, Mayor Taylor’s committee seeks to combat a smorgasbord of different problems including racism, gender inequality, poverty, and other issues. In a standout scene, Carter and Khoury discuss their insecurities with regards to how coronavirus has impacted society. Through probing real-world issues, “NCIS New Orleans” remains relevant, thought-provoking, and poignant. Under LeVar Burton’s direction, “Operation Drano, Part 1” is a superb episode. Loretta doesn’t get enough screen time, though you can never have sufficient CCH Pounder scenes, and Pride’s half-brother Jimmy Boyd is long overdue for an appearance. Aside from that, “Operation Drano, Part 1” has me eager for part two.