NCIS: Sydney Season 2, Episode 7 titled “Breathless” aimed to shake things up by shifting the spotlight onto forensic scientist Bluebird Gleeson, but while her character development takes a notable leap, the overall episode struggles to keep up.
In “Breathless,” viewers find Blue attending a live concert of her favorite pop star Nova Sykes, only for the performance to end in tragedy. Nova collapses and dies mid-performance, revealing a chilling case of murder disguised as a medical emergency. As the team investigates, the episode hints at Blue’s troubled past and tries to peel back layers of her personality — but the execution doesn’t quite match the ambition.
The murder mystery, unfortunately, falls into predictable territory. While the show cleverly employs a unique method of murder — peanut oil used in a smoke machine to trigger a fatal allergic reaction — the surrounding investigation offers little suspense. From the outset, it’s fairly clear who the real culprit is, with the characters embodying familiar tropes: the obsessed fan, the protective father, the suspicious head of security. Despite a few red herrings, the narrative unfolds in a linear, unsurprising way.
The true strength of the episode lies in Blue’s increased screen time and the emotional beats attempted in her storyline. Played by Mavournee Hazel, Blue is portrayed as passionate and emotionally driven, even hinting at past trauma when she refers to being “kept in a cage.” However, rather than deepening audience connection, the episode only teases these elements without providing enough backstory to fully resonate.
Even moments designed to heighten tension fall short. Blue’s decision to take Nova into hiding seems reckless and inconsistent with her usual intelligence, and the final confrontation lacks the intensity that could have elevated the climax. While the writers try to inject drama and emotional stakes, the result feels underwhelming.
Fans of the series may also notice a recurring pattern in Season 2 — light character banter, predictable suspect cycles, and team-building scenes that feel more like filler than meaningful development. The karaoke party at the end of the episode, though charming, does little to cover up the lack of narrative depth earlier on.
As NCIS: Sydney heads into the final stretch of its second season, “Breathless” shows that while character-centric episodes have great potential, they must be backed by strong, surprising storytelling. Bluebird Gleeson may have finally gotten her moment in the spotlight — but the series itself still needs to find its voice.
