Amac Productions

Welcome back Captain Milius!

But Lucy – what have you gone?

She’s on a training thing?

A tactical training exercise?

Please. Just a handful of weeks ago I saw her kick a Korean operative’s ass, while Kai and Jesse struggled to contain one guy.

Together.

If anyone needs a bit more training… Just saying.

While I am entirely serious about this being a lame excuse, I’m sure this had something to do with Yasmine’s absence earlier this season. So, I’ll forgive them.

This time.

Sigh.

At least Kate was in this episode. As soon as I heard it was a joint thing with FBI, I was like ‘yes! We’ll get some Kate scenes.’

I love her dynamic with the team.

Her comfort level has risen so much and so has that of Kai!

The scene of Kai, Jesse, and Kate is one of the many reasons I adore this show. It strikes a good balance! It actually feels like people at work, they laugh, they joke, they’re friends, but they also have a job to do.

The three of them smiling at each other as Jesse cracks a lame joke was a perfect little toss in.

Loved it.

Loved how widely Kai was grinning because he’s found his place with these people. They’re his ohana, just like Kate found her place amongst the team.

Though, throughout the entire episode was the first time I found myself wondering – how long is Kate going to work for the FBI before she becomes a full-time NCIS agent?

I’m just wondering, because Curtis got on my nerves for the second time.

His lack of patience and finesse when the situation warranted it was a bit much.

I’d ask how someone like that is in charge, but I already know the answer, and I’m just going to gloss over the whole problem for now.

For the first, I truly wondered how long the show is going to keep on another team, when her loyalties clearly lie with Tennant.

In the van, Tennant knew exactly why Kate was there. And while Kate tried to gloss over the fact that Curtis sent her in to keep an eye on them, she didn’t really do what was asked of her. Kate didn’t push Curtis’ agenda. She let Tennant take the lead.

She informed her what Curtis was thinking, but never pushed.

She choose to trust Tennant and let her make the call.

Because Tennant earned Kate’s trust.

Kate knows that she considers every person on her team family. She knows Tennant wouldn’t risk their lives needlessly. She knows her what her team is capable of and gives them a chance to sort out their issues.

Tennant didn’t rush to help Kai when things looked off in the elevator.

She gave him a chance to come through.

Whereas last week, we saw Curtis question Kate. We saw him try to hand hold. We saw him walk in and try to play the big tough guy to protect her.

Something she didn’t like or want.

She wants to feel like she has his trust to make the right call.

And I think Kate’s earned that.

I know we don’t see her day to day at the FBi, but we do see she is a badass. She got a Russian operative to spill the beans last year. She’s nailed every interrogation we’ve seen. She’s picked up fighting and defending herself. Going undercover.

Why doesn’t Curtis trust her?

Tennant does.

And we saw Kate choose Tennant over Curtis in small ways, twice now.

Most of the NCIS shows have at least four people on the team, not including the SAC.

This one doesn’t.

How long before Kate moves over? Maybe not this season, but these shows have long lives.

Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

One of the things I love about this show is the way it handles character growth.

As stated before, Kate’s has been amazing, but tonight, I loved Kai’s.

Kai did get played by Andriana, but he quickly regains his footing and stretches his skills. He puts on a display of all the things he’s learned since he joined.

He trusts his gut.

He shares with Tennant. No lone wolf here.

He tells her what he’s thinking and she allows him the space to make a move himself. She trusts him.

Kai made a connection with Andriana.

He’s seen Lucy, Jesse, and Tennant do it time and time again.

Kai sees Andriana for who she is. He ignores the glam and reads between the lines, making a fine show of how much he’s been watching Tennant. She almost always sees the world from a different view, sees people for who they are, and trusts what she knows. What she’s learned over the years.

This time, Kai put his skills to the test.

He knew Andriana wasn’t telling him everything.

He watched, he listened, and he connected to get what he wanted. Exactly the advice Tennant gave Kate last week.

Yet another reason to deem Tennant an excellent boss.

When Kai brings up that he thinks Curtis and Milius are wrong, she asks why. She lets him explain, and asks him to follow his gut.

She doesn’t dismiss him or make him feel small.

She gives him room to grow as an agent.

Also, side note, how many times has Tennant saved Kai’s life this season by showing up at the exact right moment? I count three!

And who else saw the kiss coming the moment Kai tried to connect when she was in the changing room?

Even when I can predict what’s going to happen… I love this show.

So many little nuances as the characters grow and make choices. It’s wonderful to be free of needless drama. There’s plenty of things going on here to never get bored.

Like the very minute Milius showed up, I knew he was the one who wrote the letter.

Also, I was super confused by Tennant’s reaction to her son waiting to join the Naval Academy.

The whole time, it felt a bit out of character because she’s served. She’s still serving her country in a way. She loves her job and wouldn’t trade it away.

I couldn’t figure out why she would be upset with Alex for wanting the same thing.

Until she explained and I thought that was the most reasonable thing in the world for her concern.

She was worrying that her son has been flitting from thing to thing and doesn’t realize what he might be signing up for. This isn’t a choice made on a whim and this entire season Alex has been riding on nothing but whims.

I was like, okay, I’m with you Tennant. I get where you’re coming from and that’s perfectly reasonable!

On the other hand – I totally expected Daniel to have a fit.

Daniel doesn’t understand why Jane serves. I think he respects it, even admires it, but doesn’t understand why, deep down.

He clearly cares for Jane a lot.

But I think her need to do good, to follow her calling, and serve in dangerous jobs baffles Daniel. For me, and everything we know about them, I think it’s why their marriage never worked out. I think they fundamentally don’t mesh.

I think Milius or even Charlie One is kinda of perfect for Tennant because she doesn’t need an everyday partner to hold her hand. She’s got herself to lean on. And she understand them and how much they love their careers.

Back to Alex!

I loved that Milius accidentally found himself in the middle.

I even loved that he couldn’t keep his mouth shut because he loves his career and he knows Tennant feels the same so he was confused too. Why would she disagree with what Alex wants?

Alex’s letter was better than I thought it was going to be.

I for sure knew there would be a mention of his mom and wanting to be like or follow her footsteps or understanding a calling because of her in there. I was not expecting Daniel to get a mention but holy crap was that perfect.

I loved that Alex got something from both of them!

It would have been a cliche for it to just be about Jane.

Instead, the parents he loves and gets along with both got mentioned because they both did a great job with him.

I think sometimes, I forget that Jane was away for a good chunk of Alex’s life at the beginning and Daniel was his sole caretaker while she worked. Daniel is a good day and I don’t care that he freaked out because it’s a scary choice Alex is making.

It would be weird if he didn’t.

And I loved that Daniel came in with a peace offering and even tried to make up with Captain America.

His confession floored me.

He was jealous.

For so long, Alex has been like him and wanted to be like him by playing sports. Then his son pulled the rug out from under him and wants to be like mom.

When they truth is, Alex is the best of both of them.

Which is just so damn wonderful!

So, even without Lucy this week, this episode was touching and heartfelt and heartwarming. And a part of me does hope Alex chooses the Naval Academy. I think it’ll be fun to see. Of course, I hope we do get to see some of his journey.

All in all, another fine outing for NCIS: Hawai’i which they ruined because the show won’t be returning until April 10th, leaving me to twiddle my thumbs wasting away waiting for it.

Sigh.

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