NCIS: New York Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Living a Double Life

NCIS: New York Season 1 Episode 5, “True Love,” shows the grim reality that knowing the truth is always a much harder pill to swallow than living in ignorance.

Although the case of the week involves another brutally murdered spouse, what makes this case so riveting is how quickly it takes a turn after we discover the murder suspect’s puzzling connection to the victim.

The twists make for a suspenseful and thought-provoking episode as the investigation intensifies and the stakes rise.

While NCIS: New York’s first couple of episodes haven’t given much insight into Nick’s personal life, “True Love” does a great job of showing a different side to his often comedic persona.

“True Love” sets Nick in the hot seat and delivers more insight into the ongoing investigation into his ex-partner. This episode is a major step forward in Sam and Nick’s partnership and friendship.

While their relationship is full of teasing, the more tender moments are gratifying. Nick talks to Sam about his ex-partner’s investigation to establish trust and show him he is committed to the new partnership.

The main barrier in Sam and Nick’s dynamic is Sam’s lack of knowledge about Nick’s personal life. As much as Nick tries to meddle in Sam’s personal life, we haven’t learned much about Nick outside his career.

These conversations take their partnership to the next level. Instead of focusing only on their surface-level interactions, they delve into their personal bond and reliance on each other as cases intensify and their personal lives get complicated.

Nick has a long way to go with this storyline involving his ex-partner. Hopefully, we’ll get a look into this former partnership to prove why Sam Hanna is here to stay and is a much better fit.

NCIS: New York dives into Nick’s love life and how his devotion to his career may be what’s holding him back from commitment.

On NCIS: New York Season 1 Episode 2, “Family Business,” Nick offers Sam dating advice, but “True Love” has Nick looking from within before taking his own advice. 

Nick clearly has commitment issues, yet doesn’t consider the reasons surrounding his inability to commit.

For starters, Nick’s main priority and the only part of his life he takes seriously is his job. He doesn’t have the time or desire to settle down because his career will always come first.

His commitment to his career is his downfall because Nick spends most of his time at work with no interest in a serious relationship. The longer Nick stays with someone, the more he fears things getting too real.

Keeping things casual is the safest option for him to avoid facing reality.

Nick can’t balance working as an agent and a romantic relationship. Bringing another person into his life requires vulnerability, which he doesn’t show.

When Nick opens up to the pilot’s daughter, it’s a glimpse of his vulnerable side. The last memory with his father haunts him. Nick has to live every day knowing that they left on bad terms before his death.

This scene helps Nick with his personal demons because he can relate to the daughter. She can repair her tainted relationship with her father and get a second chance, while Nick can grow by opening up more to the people around him and feel less guilty about his past mistakes.

This explains why a woman has never met Nick’s family. He needs to come to terms with his personal life before sharing a life with someone.

A marital commitment requires showing up for each other, yet Nick can’t do that because his true love will always be — the job.

Stray Thoughts:

• Sam flipping the suspect like a pancake onto the ground is so satisfying to watch. Sam’s combat skills always come in handy.
• Addy and Nick teasing Wyatt about trying to use curse words is hilarious. We agree it sounds unnatural.
• Sean is finally outside the field office. Hopefully, this isn’t the last time, and next time it’s with the rest of the team.
• The scene with Addy and the dead wife’s best friend shows a more grounded side of her. Addy’s message to her about the men in their lives is a powerful moment after learning about Addy’s father during the NCIS: New York pilot.
• The Dr. Strangelove reference is a creative twist to keep viewers guessing. The bold move of having multiple suspect names point back to the same person confuses audiences about who the suspect is.

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NCIS: New York airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on CBS and streams the next day on Paramount+.

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