NCIS Review: The First Day (Season 18 Episode 7)
After six episodes dealing with events and cases of the past, the show is facing the tragic aftermath of Covid-19 head-on with NCIS Season 18 Episode 7, “The First Day.”
Beloved medical examiner Jimmy Palmer lost his wife Breena two months ago. Since then he spends all his time working and taking care of his daughter Victoria.
One of my favorite things about Jimmy is his relentless positivity. Only here, he’s using it to avoid his grief, and it’s heartbreaking.
We’ve been wondering how the show would handle the pandemic when it finally came time to address it.
Turns out, we had nothing to worry about. Using Jimmy as the audience’s entry into the tragedy of nearly 2.3 million families around the world makes everything more real.
Since he wasn’t able to have a funeral or spend time with family, Jimmy is stuck in the denial stage. It isn’t until Gibbs admits he’s been stuck in the anger stage that Jimmy allows himself to truly begin mourning. The team even gathers for a small memorial.
It’s these human, familial moments that set NCIS apart from the other procedurals. It’s also the reason we’re still invested 18 seasons in.
In the case of the week, a Marine is killed as he drives an ex-con home after he’s released. Avila, the victim, volunteers with The First Day, an organization that helps former prisoners re-enter their lives.
Carter, his passenger, witnessed the shooting, and the team has to protect him from his old gang. He stays with Torres to be safe and is amusingly surprised by all the technological advancements in Nick’s apartment.
Earlier during the episode, Nick makes it very clear that he’s happy to live alone, and doesn’t want to worry about taking care of anyone else. We’ve always known Torres had attachment issues, but it appears lockdown has made him an even bigger loner.
However, spending time with Carter gives him perspective on how important it is to stay connected to the people in his life. These scenes make his character a little more tolerable than he normally is.
We hope this newfound appreciation translates into his relationship with Bishop, as it seems like there is some movement on that front when he sincerely offers her a raincheck for dinner.
It’s really nice to see the show back in the present, because staying in the past negated all the character development we witnessed at the end of Season 17.
It was jarring and not always enjoyable to watch Gibbs shut the team out, return to his surly ways, and constantly lie to everyone.
Though we want him to stay the Gibbs we know and love, over the course of 18 seasons we also expect some character growth.
Before the season began, it was announced that Maria Bello would be leaving the show. That story is teed up with the pandemic leading Jack to rethink her life. She tells Gibbs she’s ready to slow down and leave NCIS.
Honestly, we never should have doubted NCIS. I’m glad the show took its time to get to Covid-19. It meant everyone involved had more time to tell a completely layered story of how real lives are being impacted.
We got McGee dealing with homeschooling, Bishop and Torres being consistently tested, Jack looking for a new purpose, and Jimmy’s devastating grief.
The episode delivers an emotional, authentic hour that is definitely worth the wait.
What did you think of this episode of NCIS? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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NCIS airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS.
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Stephanie Holland
Stephanie Holland is a nerdy lover of Star Wars, Disney, Doctor Who, Arrowverse, Star Trek and WWE. Is living the dream of turning a lifelong obsession with TV into an actual job. Still waiting for a reboot of the '80s classic Small Wonder.