Review: NCIS New Orleans ‘Operation Drano, Part 2’

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Warning: Post contains spoilers

“NCIS New Orleans” season 7 episode 6 “Operation Drano, Part II” picks up from where “Operation Drano, Part I,” left off. When Stennis Space Center janitor Todd VonRoenn is murdered, the NCIS NOLA team is called in to investigate. Agent Sebastian Lund (Rob Kerkovich) discovers that advanced battery technology has been stolen. A money trail leads back to smuggler and marina owner Jorge Perez. The discovery of a team of Russian engineers specializing in submersibles suggests that Perez plans to deploy the batteries in a submarine.  Special Agents Quentin Carter (Charles Michael Davis) and Hannah Khoury (Necar Zadegan) confirm this hypothesis after tracking VonRoenn’s killer to a dock house where Carter identifies rigging meant to hold torpedoes.

When a fishing boat in the Gulf Coast is fired upon and sunk, it’s clear that Perez’s futuristic electric submarine is not only seaworthy, but swimming undetected in the waters off the coast of New Orleans. With the sub missing, Special Agent Dwayne “King” Pride (Scott Bakula) notifies the Navy. Since the seacraft is virtually undetectable, the investigation turns to leads on land, notably international fugitive Nicholas Antonich who procured visas for the team of Russian engineers. Investigative computer specialist Patton “Triple P” Plame (Daryl “Chill” Mitchell) hacks the phone of the man who murdered the janitor to text Nico Antonich.

Patton sets up a meeting at an undisclosed location. Thankfully, Jefferson Parrish Coroner Loretta Wade (CCH Pounder) is able to provide insight into the meeting location with yeast lifted from the body of VanRoenn’s murderer. This leads Carter, Sebastian, Hannah, and Special Agent Tammy Gregorio (Vanessa Ferlito) to Old Saint’s Brewery. Nico is reluctant to comply, but Quentin brings him in after saving Antonish from a sniper. Carter begins establishing a rapport with Nico who even quips that he’ll give Carter a Ferrari. Although Antonich begrudgingly helps the Navy locate the sub, Nico turns down a plea deal. Instead, Antonich requests that NCIS hand him over to Interpol. Shortly thereafter, Nico texts Carter a picture of himself in Montenegro, a non-extradition country. I wouldn’t be surprised if Nico made another appearance later in the season.

Meanwhile, Pride reaches out to New Orleans activist Allie Briggs. At the request of Mayor Zhara Taylor’s (Amanda Warren), Pride spearheaded a commission to focus on improving critical issues troubling the Big Easy. As foreman of the Crescent City 2.0 Commission, King recommended focusing on cash-bail reform as one of the committee’s first acts, a key issue on community organizer Briggs’s docket. Strangely, Allie abruptly left the Crescent City 2.0 Commission. As such, Dwayne seeks to figure out why Briggs left.

With a bit of gentle but firm questioning, and some buttering up with his mama’s family grits recipe as well as a mug of coffee and chicory at the True Tone, Pride manages to get Allie to talk. Years ago, Briggs took some photos that she now regrets. An anonymous text threatened to release the pictures unless Allie left the commission. Thankfully, blackmail is in Pride’s wheelhouse, as he aptly points out. “…You are very much in my area of expertise right now,” King reassures. “Fixing stupid mistakes?” Allie wonders. “Helping the innocent,” Dwayne corrects. As Briggs reveals, only one other person knew about the pictures: now-conservative Louisianna State Senator Jason Lee. Together, Pride and Allie smoke out the blackmailer.

Loretta continues attending her therapy sessions. Between the COVID-19 pandemic, taking care of her son, plus the systemic racism plaguing New Orleans (and the entire United States for that matter), Doc Wade found the strength to begin seeing a therapist. A little nudge from Loretta’s friend Mayor Taylor certainly contributed to Wade’s decision. Unfortunately, her therapist recommends avoiding volunteer work at the free health clinic, a past time that gives Loretta purpose. Seeking a replacement, Pride has just the thing: he asks Wade to join the Crescent City 2.0 Committee as his right hand where she will be instrumental in helping to pass important legislation to better New Orleans.

After finally coming out to her mother and finding a serious girlfriend, Gregorio’s relationship is going swimmingly. All except for her friendship with fellow NCIS squadmate Lund. Sebastian and Tammy are roommates, and while Gregorio keeps trying to have date nights with her partner, Kara, Sebastian excitedly crashes.

A lot happens in “NCIS New Orleans” S07E06 “Operation Drano, Part 2.” But it never feels rushed or too fast-paced. There’s a good mix of standalone plot and story arc with a thrilling adventure of Tom Clancy proportions. Though the general premise is a nod to “The Hunt for Red October,” any similarities stop there, and the narrative remains fresh. There’s continuity with Pride at the helm of the Crescent City 2.0 Commission and Loretta’s therapy sessions. And as per usual, the core cast exhibits strong bonds in their friendships. Behind the camera, LeVar Burton crafts an energetic, exciting “NCIS NOLA” episode.