“NCIS Season 21, Episode 8: A Missed Mark
In the latest episode titled “Heartless,” NCIS takes a stumble as it grapples with an uneven mix of comedy and drama. The storyline revolves around the abduction and murder of Naval surgeon Erik Harper, leading the NCIS team on a hunt for his mysterious patient, a Colombian drug lord. However, the episode’s focus on Alden Parker’s neck injury subplot overshadows the main case, resulting in a lack of momentum and dramatic tension.
While Gary Cole shines with his dry humor as Parker, the excessive emphasis on his neck injury throughout the episode feels forced and disrupts the flow of the narrative. Additionally, the comedic tone clashes with the seriousness of the main plot, making it difficult for viewers to fully engage with the storyline.
Furthermore, the guest characters, portrayed by Tim Russ and Christina Kirk, are underutilized, with their potential contributions to the episode falling flat. Russ’s character is given limited screen time, while Kirk’s portrayal lacks depth and fails to create meaningful rapport with Parker.
Overall, “Heartless” falls short of expectations, especially following the franchise’s milestone 1,000th episode. While Cole’s performance adds some entertainment value, the episode struggles to find its footing and ultimately feels like a missed opportunity for NCIS.
Despite this misstep, NCIS continues to air Mondays at 9:00 p.m. on CBS.”
