NCIS Season 22, Episode 19 Review: The Show Makes Its Big Problem Worse

As a dedicated fan, I must say that in NCIS Season 22, Episode 19 titled “Irreconcilable Differences,” many of the season’s long-running storylines are neatly wrapped up. However, what could have been a satisfying resolution for Timothy McGee’s confrontation with Deputy Director Gabriel Laroche turns into a bit of a surprise twist that leaves some viewers feeling a tad disappointed. Instead of providing a conclusive ending, the episode seems to prolong the plotline a bit too much, which might not sit well with fans who were eagerly anticipating a more definitive conclusion.

This situation has inevitably led to “Unresolvable Disagreements.” McGee finds himself in hot water as he delves into investigating the Deputy Director, believing he’s found the crucial evidence – possibly a real smoking gun – to incriminate Laroche. On another front, the title hints at Jessica Knight and Nick Torres continuing to grapple with their sham marriage. Essentially, this episode revolves around storylines that should have been resolved by now.

NCIS Season 22, Episode 19 Never Convincingly Pressures McGee

Sean Murray’s Performance Can’t Save the Episode

In the heart of this episode, it’s me, McGee, who’s under immense scrutiny to validate my accusations against Laroche. The potential repercussions of any misstep are vividly portrayed by Inspector General Regina Ward, who makes her entrance post Laroche filing an official complaint, alleging abuse of power and misconduct on my part.

Unfortunately, the character of Inspector General Ward seems to lack depth, failing to evolve beyond being a mere symbol of the risks I face. Her dialogues often feel stiff, and she maintains an almost smarmy demeanor that’s hard to swallow. It’s understandable for NCIS to have someone challenging me, but that someone needs to pose a genuine threat and appear as a genuine person, not just a flat character.

If Ward appeared more open to McGee’s words, regardless of her doubts, the scene would have been more impactful. This could have added an element of uncertainty about whether McGee could persuade her of his truthfulness, making her seem more relatable and human. Alternatively, the script could explore a different angle where McGee questions his own perception due to lack of sleep, leaving him unsure if he’s correct about Laroche. This approach could be used for both comedy and drama, adding an element of suspense to the storyline.

In this narrative twist, it’s common knowledge that McGee witnessed Laroche committing a murder, and Ward, serving as the main adversary, will initially hinder the investigation but eventually aid the team once presented with compelling evidence. The suspense throughout the episode is heightened by Sean Murray’s portrayal of McGee as a character on the brink of collapse. He’s filled with anger, bewilderment, and fear. Drawing connections between McGee and Gibbs adds an extra layer of enjoyment, but it’s Murray’s captivating performance that truly steals the show. Despite having limited resources to work with at times, he fails to deliver a performance that is nothing short of outstanding.

NCIS Uses Knight and Torres’ Marriage for Further Comic Relief

Another Callback to Episode 11 Mostly Works

In the latest episode of NCIS Season 22, I found myself chuckling at a plotline that felt somewhat familiar. It seems the writers have revisited the theme where Jessica Knight and Nick Torres orchestrated a sham wedding to nab a crook, a scenario we saw previously in Episode 18. The comedic relief in Episode 18 came from the revelation that Knight still had her wedding ring. But the humor level was cranked up in the next episode by declaring that they were legally married, complete with a marriage license filed with the District of Columbia! Now, we’re left wondering if and how they’ll manage to get their marriage annulled, providing plenty of laughs along the way.

Initially, Torres and Knight’s marital benefits providing a moment of amusement, but quickly fades as the gravity of their colleague’s career at risk and a potentially dangerous boss overshadows it. This serious undertone keeps the audience from fully appreciating jokes about car insurance discounts or pay raises.

A more intriguing aspect of “Irreconcilable Differences” lies in its skillful unfolding of the Laroche storyline as the focal point. The writers seem to have anticipated the audience’s curiosity, which is piqued when an unexpected assault on a van occurs early on, raising questions about whether NCIS is veering off into another tangent. However, it turns out that the van concealed a substantial amount of money, and Laroche orchestrated its theft as a means to flee. This atypical scheme for a villain adds an engaging ‘case of the week’ dynamic, as the broader plot shifts multiple times, keeping viewers captivated. In contrast, the ongoing jokes about Knight and Torres’ personal life seem to fade into insignificance, despite their regular appearance.

NCIS Season 22, Episode 19 Proves the Laroche Story Is Overplayed

The Season Finale Is Coming Just in Time

One thing that “Irreconcilable Differences” underscores is that the NCIS team has prolonged the Laroche storyline past its due date. Although Laroche may not have appeared in every episode, this ongoing plot still grapples with maintaining a consistent pace. The significance of the situation is clear, but it’s challenging to stay invested when Laroche’s appearances are sporadic and McGee keeps insisting that the Deputy Director is suspicious. With only a few exceptions like Episode 18, Laroche’s character development has been minimal.

Instead of revealing him as Deputy Director during the season opener and then returning to this narrative later on, the story could have been compressed into several climactic episodes at the end of the season. Maybe Laroche does something that draws McGee’s attention after initially assisting the team earlier in the season, prompting McGee to expedite his investigation. This approach, focusing on escalating tension rather than gradual revelation, would likely be more impactful.

The strategy could have been to delay revealing Laroche as Deputy Director until later in the season and then wrapping up the story in a few key episodes. Instead, it might be more engaging if McGee becomes suspicious of him after he seems helpful earlier on, leading to a rushed investigation.

The show “Irreconcilable Differences” demonstrates this idea by having multiple exciting scenes, such as the actual murder and Jimmy Palmer’s talent for sketches being utilized again.

In a twist, where is this plot heading so as to please fans? Could it be that Laroche will unveil himself as a hero who’s been on a covert operation all along, making McGee’s doubts and entire season’s worth of work almost unnecessary? If McGee manages to bring him down, then would that put McGee in contention for Deputy Director again? However, this would simply end Season 22 on the same note as Season 21. The episode “Irreconcilable Differences” is well-regarded for its entertainment factor and for finally shedding light on the Laroche mystery. Yet, it falls short by not concluding the storyline and providing the closure that viewers seemed to be promised.

NCIS airs Mondays at 9:00 p.m. on .

2025-04-29 17:36