Skip to Content
Subscribe

NCIS Season 22 Episode 4 Review: Sticks & Stones

Critic's Rating: 5 / 5.0
5

In the real world, tomorrow marks one of the most volatile presidential elections in history, leaving many feeling uneasy, no matter what side they’re on.

You have to wonder if the writers had this in mind when crafting NCIS Season 22 Episode 4 because it was a heart-pounding doozy.

There’s nothing like receiving a phone call in the middle of the night when you’re fast asleep — just ask Parker, who quickly learns it’s usually never good news.

(Photo: Erik Voake/CBS)

This is probably the worst call he could ever receive, and it’s definitely not someone saying, “Guess who won the election?”

Nope, this phone call is far worse — Russia is gearing up to start World War III!

Let’s hope this isn’t one of those episodes that eerily foretells future events. But if it is, at least we can say that NCIS is keeping a level head amid the chaos.

On top of the looming threat of nuclear war, Air Force One has gone missing, and the chain of command is in disarray — like the V.P. having an emergency colonoscopy at 3 a.m. ?!

It’s all a little too convenient. But is it a coincidence?

Now, it’s up to the military and the Senate Majority Leader to decide the fate of the world — and they’re both “push the red button” happy.

(CBS/Screenshot)

Talk about a night(mare) to remember!

You can only hope that there are folks like the NCIS team around to hold it together and do whatever it takes to prevent something as horrific as this if it were to ever happen in the real world.

Parker is the most realistic person in the room. He isn’t afraid to challenge authority no matter what. And he makes it clear that he thinks the two bozos in charge are jumping the gun.

Why? They don’t have all the information yet, as there is a transmission from NCIS in Naples that has yet to be decoded, which will shed more light on what’s going on.

Because of his insubordination, they, of course, order McGee to arrest his boss, which he refuses.

It’s a pretty damn tense (and too realistic) situation that NCIS is able to contain, even with Vance MIA and Jimmy and Jess on a camping trip (like, seriously. Who cares?!).

(Photo: Michael Yarish/CBS)

Even Sweeny realized, after all the trouble he caused charging into the NCIS offices to arrest Parker and McGee, that if it weren’t for his worst enemy — aka Parker — we would all be dead.

I like that McGee stood with Parker on this because, being a Gibbs loyalist, he could have stayed within the lines.

Parker is so far outside the lines that it’s always a question of whether the rest of the “old guard” team will stand by him. I think that question has been answered.

We weren’t privy as to why Vance wasn’t around.

While his debunking of all the night’s coincidences seemed reasonable, it sounded more like information control than the actual truth. I don’t buy it.

(Photo: Erik Voake/CBS )

Still, it was nice to see Parker recognized for saving the day.

And it was Parker and the rest of the NCIS team. Sweeney just happened to make the call to stop the U.S. from pushing that deadly red button.

Important? Sure. But let’s be real: if it weren’t for NCIS, he wouldn’t have thought twice about it.

And to prove how badass the new NCIS team is — what better way to save the day than cranking up some Quiet Riot to do it?

While Parker and the rest of the team were battling to save the world from a deadly fate, Jimmy and Jess were off on a camping trip, contemplating the fate of their relationship.

I don’t know if it was a joke, but apparently, Jimmy has been seeing other women — namely, some chick named Jennifer (I guess he wasn’t that heartbroken now, was he?).

(CBS/Screenshot)

I have to be honest. I find this whole Jimmy/Jess relationship drama annoying, especially in this episode, which was so incredibly serious.

I meant it when I said, “Who cares?” Because really, who cares?

I get that they have no idea what’s going on, but it’s dumb to put this relationship in the middle of an hour about a possible World War III.

It’s not funny, and it doesn’t add lightheartedness to the hour. And if I haven’t said it already — it’s just annoying.

And I’m going to say it right now. Jimmy doesn’t deserve Jess.

(Photo: Michael Yarish/CBS)

They are so completely opposite of each other that it’s not even funny.

There’s no chemistry between them. You can look, lean in, and imagine all you want, but it just doesn’t exist. I don’t care how long they were dating.

She’s too vibrant for him, and that tear she shed when Jimmy extinguished that rekindling flame for good? I think it was a tear of relief more than sadness.

I’m not saying they won’t be friends — they definitely will and are. But I’m relieved the romance is dead; it’s time to move on.

Besides, I know someone who would be a perfect match for Jess, but I’ll save that juicy tidbit for later.

(Photo: Michael Yarish/CBS)

But you’ve got to give Jimmy some credit for realizing he’s not really cut out for Jess and that she deserves someone better.

Clearly, he wasn’t that much in love with her if he’s already moved on to someone else. But good for him — now just go away.

So, over to you, TV Fanatics. Was this episode tense or what? Do you like Parker’s style? Are you glad McGee stuck with Parker? And what about Jimmy and Jess?

Hit the comments and share your thoughts!

Are you happy or sad that the Jimmy/Jess romance is finally over?
×

Watch NCIS Online

Scott

Friday 8th of November 2024

There was so much wrong with this episode, I really don't know where to start. Russia has no designs on central Europe. That's just paranoid Russophobia. Belarus would not attack the West. Why would they? If there was a credible threat of nuclear war, NCIS would not be involved.

The FBI agents occupying NCIS headquarters seemingly didn't notice that the entire NCIS team disappeared, then made no effort to locate them. Finally, Ukraine took out the Belarusian missile launchers. lol!

Seriously, none of this makes any sense. I kept waiting for one of the characters to wake up and confirm that the whole thing was a fever-dream. How am I supposed to take any of this seriously?

Lisa Babick

Friday 8th of November 2024

Sometimes you have to suspend your logic and have a little fun. Not everything has to be realistic even in a show like this, at least in my opinion. If you look at a show like 24, how realistic was that? But it was still fun and entertaining no matter how improbable it was as far as Jack saving the world. I look at it as escapist entertainment. Still, considering this is the episode that aired right before the election, there could be other reasons why, but that's pure speculation on my part....which is why I made mention of that in the review. Thanks for your comment. Appreciate your viewpoint.

Oldham Codger

Tuesday 5th of November 2024

To say that Ukraine Special Forces knocked out Belarus missle launchers is like saying that Ukraines incursion into the Kursk region was successful. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ukraine is getting its butt kicked big time. Ukraine had the chance for peace and a very good settlement in April 2022 until the Collective West via Nimrod Boris stepped in and convinced Nimrod Zelensky that the west had their back and would stand with them against Russia. Fools!!!

Oldham Codger

Tuesday 5th of November 2024

Sick with Rossophobia. Who is sick? Anyone who believes the western media's take on the Ukraine conflict. This episode really exceeded the bounds of reality. Ukraine is losing. It has already lost over 600,000 military personnel. Russia & Belarus is not in the business of invading Europe. They only want NATO stopped and want to protect their borders from war-mongering Collective West proponents. Your NCIS season 22, episode Sticks and Stones borders on insanity. The Russians are not the boogeyman the Collective West's media claims them to be. Can't you people make shows that are not Russophobic?

Oldham Codger

Tuesday 5th of November 2024

SICK with Russophobia. Who is sick with Russophobia? America, that's who. Watching NCIS season 22, episode Sticks and Stones on November 5, 2024 and the first few minutes caused me to go to CBS website to leave the following comment which I was unable to do: Your NCIS season 22, episode Sticks and Stones borders on insanity. The Russians are not the boogeyman the Collective West's media claims them to be. Can't you people make shows that are not Russophobic?

Lisa Babick

Tuesday 5th of November 2024

I still thought it was fun. Maybe they should've made it North Korea instead?

Sharing is Caring

Help spread the word. You're awesome for doing it!