NCIS Season 22, Episode 16 Review: A Fun Concept That Misses the Mark
Warning: Spoilers ahead for NCIS Season 22, Episode 16, “Ladies’ Night.”
NCIS Season 22, Episode 16, “Ladies’ Night,” starts with an intriguing premise: a battle of the sexes between the male and female agents. While the concept has worked in other TV shows like Leverage and Coupling, NCIS struggles to deliver the same level of success, despite good intentions and the cast’s efforts to inject humor into the episode.
The story begins with a murder case involving a Naval officer in an antique store, but the case quickly takes a backseat to the comedic antics between the two groups of agents. Jessica Knight and Kasie Hines plan a fun night out with Knight’s sister, while Nick Torres and Timothy McGee occupy themselves in Kasie’s lab. As expected, the two groups cross paths, but the humor doesn’t hit as strongly as it could hav
e. The comedic tension never quite takes off, and the “boys vs. girls” dynamic feels underwhelming.
A Familiar Concept That Lacks Depth
The idea of contrasting the genders has been done before in TV, but “Ladies’ Night” doesn’t manage to capitalize on it. Episodes like this thrive when there’s a clear and entertaining contrast between the two sides, but this episode doesn’t provide enough of that. In Leverage, for example, the gender divide played out across two episodes, allowing viewers to see genuine differences between the teams in how they worked and approached situations. Unfortunately, in NCIS, the two teams don’t behave much differently from what fans are used to. They just happen to be in different locations, and the contrast feels shallow as a result.
The humor falls flat with predictable jokes—like Torres asking how the women managed to break in wearing “those shoes.” One of the bigger comedic moments involves Kasie using a pottery kiln to run a forensic test, which ends in disaster when they break it. The characters’ reactions, however, feel more immature than funny, and it undermines the normally professional behavior of the NCIS team. Watching them run away from the damage they caused doesn’t hit the comedic mark, especially when the tone suggests they’re supposed to be taking it lightly.
Character Development: Robin’s Frustration with Nick
The episode’s most significant character development comes from Robin Knight, who returns for this episode. Robin is understandably frustrated when her meticulously planned evening is ruined by her boyfriend, Nick Torres, and the others being unable to leave their work behind. This reflects an ongoing issue in Torres’ personal life: his inability to fully disconnect from the job. Robin expresses her dissatisfaction, leading to a tense conversation between the two. She admits that she feels like a burden to him and suggests that perhaps they aren’t compatible. It’s a moment of real emotional depth in an otherwise comedic episode, and it hints at possible relationship trouble for the couple.
While the conversation hints at a breakup, it’s not clear if the show intends to permanently separate Robin and Nick. It feels like the relationship has been rushed, with most of their moments played out off-screen. The episode’s resolution doesn’t give fans much to hold onto, leaving the outcome of their relationship unclear and somewhat anticlimactic after the buildup.
The Case of the Week: A Forgotten Plot
Unfortunately, the murder case, which should be the episode’s backbone, takes a backseat. The case itself is almost an afterthought, with the killer revealed off-screen and minimal focus on the investigation. The murderer, Dawson, a firefighter who briefly flirts with Jessica Knight, is barely shown, making the twist feel unearned and lackluster. Additionally, the motive behind the crime is explained away quickly and without much depth. The case doesn’t have the impact it should, especially given how little time is spent on it in favor of the episode’s comedic antics.
While the episode’s tone is lighthearted, the lack of a fully developed case weakens its overall impact. The murder investigation should have been better fleshed out, as it feels incomplete compared to other NCIS cases, where the killer’s motivations and actions are explored in greater detail.
Final Thoughts: A Missed Opportunity
Ladies’ Night had great potential but ultimately doesn’t quite land. The humor is predictable, the character dynamics aren’t as engaging as they could be, and the murder case feels like an afterthought. While the concept of a gender-based battle is fun, NCIS doesn’t do enough with it to make it memorable. The episode is a light diversion, but it doesn’t live up to the show’s usual standards. If NCIS is going to explore these types of concepts in the future, it will need to dig deeper into its characters and their dynamics to make the humor and tension feel more meaningful.
