NCIS: Sydney Season 1 Episode 6 Review: Extraction
NCIS: Sydney Season 1 Episode 6, “Extraction,” is an action-packed, Evie-centric episode about partnership that lets Tuuli Narkle shine.
Written by James Cripps & Clare Sladden and directed by Catherine Millar, NCIS: Sydney‘s return from hiatus features a gripping, character-driven story with lasting impacts — something not always included in highly procedural TV shows.
“Extraction” takes the critiques from the last five episodes about not knowing Constable Evie Cooper well enough and reveals the long-game reasoning for that storytelling tactic. As frustrating as it was by NCIS: Sydney Season 1 Episode 3, “Brothers in Arms,” this episode makes the wait to know her worthwhile.
Through need-to-know exposition and compelling performances from Narkle and Dustin Clare, the years fall away between when Evie last went undercover and the events of “Extraction.” It’s easier said than done, but NCIS: Sydney pulls it off best in the scene between Evie and Porter in his house.
The brief glimpses into her character until now depict Evie as determined in her work and light-hearted in her daily life. Consequently, Evie’s expression of emotional vulnerability in that scene becomes the pivotal turn of “Extraction.”
At that point, NCIS: Sydney truly lets viewers know Evie Cooper.
Beats lead up to that emotional valve release — Evie’s expression when she gets off the bus after personally identifying Goddard or the slight drop in her facade when she realizes DeShawn is following her tail. Still, none are as transformative to the broader understanding of the character as that exchange with Porter.
NCIS: Sydney could use colorful flashbacks to detail the grueling and intimate aspects of Evie and Parker’s professional and personal relationships, but “Extraction” takes a more engaging approach — for now.
Because Porter ends the episode alive and not in custody, it’s safe to bet that this isn’t his last appearance on the NCISverse show, mainly because he is closely entangled with Evie. If this show gets another season (Fingers crossed!), a growing group of secondary characters, like Richard Rankin, will be beneficial.
Instead of showing in flashbacks rather than telling, which can often be the weaker storytelling option, NCIS: Sydney uses the storied history between Evie and Parker as the momentum for their explosive and expository conversation.
The details are important, but the script for “Extraction” doesn’t rattle them off like the key points to a case. Conversely, these points are lasting — they won’t fade away when NCIS: Sydney moves on to a different case next week.
It’s similar to how the show takes a presumably throwaway question from Blue about Doc’s sadness on “Brothers in Arms” and expands on it with a case that includes Doc on NCIS: Sydney Season 1 Episode 5, “Doggiecino Day Afternoon.”
“Extraction” dials that sentiment up to 100 with a character that the show reveals even less about by embedding Evie in a previously unseen role — Jess.
NCIS: Sydney builds the tension by quickly ripping Evie away from everyone.
Similarly, the episode creates an unsteady ground for the ensemble, mainly Evie, that persists until the end of Act 5. Cleverly, the show reestablishes that solid ground when “Extraction” ends where it starts. While there aren’t any stark differences between the two scenes, they’re tangible between the characters.
Naturally, NCIS: Sydney compares Evie’s preexisting professional relationships with the new team, mainly Parker and DeShawn.
From their banter (“Go get ’em, tiger”) to DeShawn bringing Evie chicken noodle soup and Evie having a photo of them as her desktop background, the minor details the episode utilizes to underscore their dynamic are utterly delightful.
They’re necessary because “Extraction” is the first time that the procedural drama gets to know Evie on a deeper level, so there is some catching up to do.
Additionally, because Evie is undercover as Jess for most of the episode, Narkle and Sean Sagar have to communicate through fleeting expressions. Believing their characters can navigate that level of communication correlates with how well NCIS: Sydney represents the depth of their relationship.
Ultimately, NCIS: Sydney is closer to the end of its debut season than its beginning, meaning the ensemble has spent significant time together — bonding or clashing or both. Small, meaningful details like those with Evie and DeShawn help — with character, plot, and story.
Lines like “He is not my responsibility. You are” from Michelle to Evie have a professional obligation but echo Michelle’s respect for Evie. However, they also speak to the team-building at play, which Michelle took time to embrace fully.
So, as exciting as it is to see Olivia Swann absolutely crush that fight choreography, it’s equally so to see the team bounce off of one another and grow together from the beginning of Act 1 to the end of Act 5. The GOAT bit is a lighthearted bookend to an otherwise emotional and tense NCIS: Sydney outing.
It’s wonderfully symbolic that Evie walks away from Parker and to DeShawn and the rest of the NCIS team. “Extraction” pulls Evie out of one fractured group so that she can figuratively embrace — and be embraced by — her new team. NCIS: Sydney is building something special; hopefully, this is only the beginning.
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NCIS: Sydney airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS.
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Shelby Elpers
Shelby is a TV enthusiast and pop culture writer. She's an avid podcast listener, green tea drinker, and soccer fan. Her brand can be summarized in rom-coms, superheroes, teen dramas, and workplace comedies.