NCIS Review: Sangre (Season 18 Episode 12)

Nick is thrown for a loop on NCIS Season 18 Episode 12, “Sangre,” when a case leads to the dad he hasn’t seen since he was a little boy.

Ever since he first appeared on NCIS Season 14 Episode 1, “Rogue,” Nick Torres has been a bit of a mystery. His time as an undercover agent has made him extra diligent about keeping things private.

We only know about his sister because she’s the reason he came out of hiding. His feelings for Ellie and working with the team have opened him up a little, but he’s still somewhat of a closed book.

Now, the unexpected appearance of Miguel, the father who abandoned him, blows his perfectly orchestrated private life up.

Wilmer Valderrama delivers his best performance to date, as Torres confronts the man who left him when he was just a child. He lets loose all the anger and resentment he’s been dealing with his entire life.

Throughout the hour, he slowly transitions his character, Nick, from distrust to reluctant acceptance to self-hatred.

Of course, Bishop supports him through everything, with their closeness throwing fuel on the fire that they’re already a secret couple.

We would assume such an emotional story for Torres would give us more Nick and Ellie scenes, but they only have a few squad room and crime scene conversations.

NCIS has teased us long enough with Nick and Ellie’s pairing. It’s time for the show to make them an official couple.

On NCIS: LA, Kensi and Deeks’ relationship has opened up an endless amount of story possibilities without messing with the team’s chemistry. We have faith that NCIS can do the same thing with this pairing.

We hope the show learns from how it botched Tony and Ziva.

It dragged everything out so long the audience lost interest, the actors exited, and viewers were left with an unsatisfying off-screen conclusion.

Turns out Miguel has been working for the CIA for years, so he had to leave the family to protect them. All his excuses are rational and reasonable, but they ring hollow for us and Nick. Sadly, this story doesn’t have a happy ending, as Miguel leaves just when Nick tries to give him a second chance.

Valderrama’s defeated resignation is palpable at this moment. His quiet heartbreak is completely authentic to Torres.

We don’t know what’s going on with this Gibbs storyline, but we need some answers or hints of what to expect because it’s not working.

We’re still mad at Gibbs for attacking a suspect, showing no remorse, and basically getting a slap on the wrist from Vance. Considering how bad all that went down, we can’t find the charm in Gibbs not knowing what to do with himself.

Right now, it feels like a rudderless story with no direction. There’s got to be a reason why NCIS has ruined the credibility of one of TV’s most popular characters but, unfortunately, we’re not being drawn in enough to care.

The most egregious element in all this is Gibbs is completely irrelevant to the action. Other than keeping Nick company after he’s disappointed, nothing Gibbs does matters to the episode. If he didn’t appear, things would’ve proceeded just as they do.

And that’s not good news for NCIS or its fans.

—

What did you think of this episode of NCIS? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

NCIS airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

35 of TV’s Toughest Softies