NCIS: Sydney Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Doggiecino Day Afternoon

NCIS: Sydney Season 1 Episode 5, “Doggiecino Day Afternoon,” transforms the low-stakes environment of a dog cafe into the most intense case yet.

Written by Michael Miller and directed by David Caesar, this episode approaches its concept with a healthy skepticism but finds its roots in character-driven story.

Of course, NCIS: Sydney finds jaw-dropping plot twists to end each Act, but those stakes only work because of how well the episode makes the characters matter.

“Doggiecino Day Afternoon” is in a difficult position, having to follow the immensely intense and grounded events of NCIS: Sydney Season 1 Episode 4, “Ghosted.” Nevertheless, this episode proves that this procedural drama will only improve when its focus on the team strengthens.

Whereas “Ghosted” is understandably more Mackey-centric (Episodes of that nature are bound and necessary to occur throughout the series), “Doggiecino Day Afternoon” offers up the most information about the ensemble yet.

Every member plays a vital role in diffusing the situation. As a broad idea gets sharper and sharper, personal motivations illuminate themselves.

Most notably, this episode answers Blue’s question from NCIS: Sydney Season 1 Episode 3, “Brothers in Arms.” Doc is sad because of his wife’s dementia, and “Doggiecino Day Afternoon” catches him with his dog, Buster, trying to find solace in an overpriced coffee.

That new information retroactively paints previous interactions differently, like Doc’s avoidance of other communication or gatherings. Presumably, all his free time is spent caring for her when he isn’t caring for the bodies that come about through the team’s work.

That last bit is fascinating because Doc hasn’t dealt with a live person within a case before “Doggiecino Day Afternoon.” Technically, he doesn’t have to because the bomb squad gives him an out. It’s a testament to his character that he stays, holds Louie’s hand, and lets her vent — something he also needs.

William McInnes is so good throughout this NCIS: Sydney episode. His representation of Doc’s emotional range is often ever-evolving and subtle. That character trait makes Doc’s frequent pairing with Blue such a delight because she is the opposite, wearing her heart on her sleeve.

Mavournee Hazel is also excellent during “Doggiecino Day Afternoon,” which sees a different, more strained version of Blue emerge. 

The scene between Blue and Mackey in the bathroom is an emotional sticking point for the episode. The slower development of their dynamic inspires a scene like this, in which Mackey doesn’t tell Blue not to feel but encourages her to use that to “stay in the fight.”

It’s a thematic through-line across NCIS: Sydney‘s ensemble.

For instance, “Doggiecino Day Afternoon” sees that in Dempsey threefold. Not only is one of his friends and coworkers a hostage by someone only a few years older than his son, but he must work with a woman with whom he has a complicated situationship.

The revelation about Dempsey’s son retroactively reenergizes his actions throughout the episode, granting a specific understanding for Dempsey’s call for no casualties, including Louie. He repeatedly reminds those around him of Louie’s possible innocence and age.

Those personal elements infuse NCIS: Sydney‘s case of the week with layers of believable stakes with lasting impacts.

For example, “Doggiecine Day Afternoon” all but explicitly states that this won’t be the last time the show (or Dempsey, for that matter) sees Sergeant Cath Welsh. Her reappearance opens NCIS: Sydney up to exploring another character in a grey area that differs from Richard Rankin.

Where Welsh is visibly uncomfortable with the red tape that can hinder investigations and save lives, Rankin manipulates those hoops to his advantage, as seen on “Brothers in Arms.” Those characters juxtapose each other and the NCIS team well, so seeing them appear on the show more often would be fun.

Those secondary characters — even the tertiary ones in cases — pull characterization out of the leading ensemble. Like, the quick bit about DeShawn donating to the GoFundMe for Casey’s medicine builds on the profile that the procedural drama creates for him.

Unfortunately, Evie Cooper remains NCIS: Sydney‘s biggest mystery.

One leaves “Doggiecino Day Afternoon,” knowing more about Louie Hall and her family than Evie. However, Blue trying to calm down in the restroom stall by telling herself that the new graffiti is likely by Evie is a bright spot in an overwhelming episode.

Sometimes, it’s easier to let the case of the week fade in preference of how it impacts the lasting characters, but this episode makes its case’s key player count.

Namely, Josie Rawson gives a fantastic performance as Louie Hall, a 15-year-old girl who trusts the wrong people to get money to secure life-saving medicine for her sister. The cases can become farther-fetched, making any attempts at connection difficult, especially as a procedural’s tenure extends.

What’s been so great about NCIS: Sydney so far is that it takes concepts, usually relating to animals, and spins them into deeply and intimately personal stories about universal themes. NCIS: Sydney Season 1 Episode 2, “Snakes in the Grass,” does so with a snake, while “Brothers in Arms” does with a shark and a bird.

“Doggiecino Day Afternoon” continues that trend with dogs.

The sweet creatures who often represent unconditional love become a framing tool for the dynamics in this episode, including Doc and Alice, Dempsey and his son, & Louie and Casey. Beyond those specific dynamics, the episode successfully represents the team that will carry this NCISverse show into its future.

It may seem silly to reiterate, but it’s impressive that NCIS: Sydney keeps improving. It’s a feat for a shortened debut season (Please bring back at least 13 episode seasons!) during such a tumultuous time in TV.

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NCIS: Sydney airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS.

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