Finally, some storylines get tied up.

Time to celebrate the end of the cartel in New Orleans on NCIS: New Orleans Season 3 Episode 11.

It only took the better part of two seasons to happen.

This episode definitely delineated the differences in approach of the FBI and Pride's NCIS.

Isler is ready to wrap up the cartel investigation after the Justice Department has frozen the assets that Garcia has been using, and let Garcia roam free despite all he's done.

But that's not personal enough for Pride, who confronts Garcia at Eliza's funeral.

I promised [Eliza] I would protect her from you. Now I promising you, one way or another, you're going to pay for this.

Pride [to Garcia]

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One thing that certainly made no sense: If Eliza's family's assets were frozen because Garcia was using them to launder drug money, why did they let him come to her funeral? I mean, someone must have clued them in as to why their funds were all tied up.

All of which led, naturally, to an off-the-books op.

Pride wanted just he and Gregorio involved, since they both wanted justice, he for Eliza's murder, she for her lost career,.

It's a good thing that everyone else ignored his wishes and joined in, because Pride and Gregorio could never have pulled off that sting on their own. Especially with Pride holed up in Patton's A-Team van the whole time.

Instead, running point on the con was Patton.

We finally get some back story for the team's cyber whiz.

Turns out he was a special project of Pride's, after his gambling addiction led him to use his computer skills to cheat, which got him in hot water with the Louisiana Gaming Commission.

Patton's checkered past came in handy in snaring Garcia, as did an old scam of his, betting on races that had already been run by delaying the race feed.

I have to admit, even after watching the episode a couple of times, I'm still fuzzy on how they pulled this off.

But plot lines don't necessarily have to make sense. That's why they call it suspension of disbelief.

Speaking of suspension of disbelief, Sebastian's bumbling effort to become a field agent continues unabated, with little call for it.

At least he had the good sense to have doubts.

Sebastian: It wasn't just lack of training that made me freeze up. It was also lack of confidence.
Loretta: Don't be too hard on yourself.
Sebastian: It's one thing to want to expand your horizons, but a lot of people's lives depend on it. I want to help the team, not hurt them. I'm just not sure how I can.

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Pride was right to have his own doubts, after placing his least-ready agent at the center of the con game and having him get abducted by Garcia..

Good thing he was bitch-slapped back to reality.

Loretta: First of all, you didn;t ask for our help. In fact, it was the opposite. We chose to help.
Gregorio: We knew all the risks going in, even Sebastian.
Loretta: Patten too. He may be struggling, but he's still at OTB, still game. If you want to blame yourself for anything, blame yourself for surrounding yourself with people who are just as stubborn and bullheaded as you.
Gregorio: You're not the only one who wants to see Garcia pay. We all do, because it's the right thing to do. That's how you taught us to roll.

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Back to disbelief: Next Sebastian, who couldn't fire a gun last episode, suddenly takes out two massive bodyguards with a golf club. And it wasn't even a wood.

So now he's back on track, off to NCIS training.

Well, at least he should be good for undercover work. No one would ever suspect him of having skills outside a lab, so he'll always have the element of surprise.

Also another agent is on the horizon.

Finally, after a half-season of false starts, Gregorio is finally a full-fledged member of the team.

I admit, like many, I've been skeptical of the character.

But Pride has sanded off her rough edges, and she's been humanized, the victim of both a con man and an indifferent bureaucracy.

Now that she's proven she can smile and laugh as well as scowl, I'm willing to give her a chance. Frankly, what choice do we have? Time travel?

So the next question is is the team now complete? Or does Sebastian gets replaced by a new lab monkey?

Probably not. With the ratings it's been getting this year, NCIS: New Orleans will do well to limp into a fourth season, without an expanded cast.

Finally, what's next with the cartel storyline wrapped up?

I'm betting it will be something to do with the corrupt Nawlins political structure. Isler hinted that Washington has been watching Hamilton.

Then, shortly after Hamilton and Pride have a cryptic conversation, Garcia gets blown up by a car bomb. It could be a coincidence and it was just the cartel catching up with him, but who can say?

To catch up on the cartel storyline now in its entirety, watch NCIS: New Orleans online.

Were you satisfied with the cartel conclusion? How about the way Gregorio was brought on board? Can you treat Sebastian seriously as a field agent? Comment below.

Dale McGarrigle is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow him on X.