NCIS has tackled some of the most significant threats, but each solution seems to usher in a new challenge. Following their recent victory over a squatter issue in Season 22, Episode 3, “The Trouble with Hal,” the team is now gearing up to confront a potential war in Episode 4, “Sticks & Stones.” According to the official logline, the team springs into action as intelligence reveals multiple deadly threats looming on the horizon. CBS has released a sneak peek for the November 4 episode, showcasing Parker and Torres realizing the gravity of the situation while coordinating with various U.S. officials.
The episode kicks off with NCIS connecting with several government agencies, revealing a map that indicates trouble brewing in multiple European nations, including Russia and its key ally, Belarus. A general warns Parker and Torres, “We have to assume some kind of Russian cyberattack to degrade our command and control capabilities before Belarus launches those missiles.” This alarming information hints at a possible loss of control over U.S.-operated missiles in the region.
Amidst the tense discussions, a U.S. senator joins the call, stressing the urgency of the situation, even as Air Force One remains unreachable. He reminds everyone that the Florida NCIS branch has crucial intelligence, asking, “Didn’t NCIS: Naples intercept the original transmission?” This moment leaves Parker and Torres puzzled, as they realize the senator has confused Naples, Florida, with the more widely known Naples, Italy, where another NCIS branch operates. Torres reacts humorously, exclaiming, “Who is this idiot?”
The senator reveals he’s next in line for succession since the President and Speaker of the House are on Air Force One, making him the senior official present. To compound the chaos, the Vice President is undergoing an emergency medical procedure. While this exchange contains humorous moments, the implications of having the entire senior U.S. leadership incapacitated amid serious threats weigh heavily on Parker and Torres, who sense that something more sinister is afoot.
As they navigate this precarious situation, questions loom: Who has control over U.S. weapons? Is this merely a small piece of a much larger crisis? Find out when “Sticks & Stones” airs on CBS on Monday, November 4, at 9 p.m. For those looking to catch up on past episodes, they are available on Paramount+.
