One of the key issues with “Breathless” is that it sheds light on a broader concern plaguing NCIS: Sydney Season 2 — the show seems to have fallen into a pattern, especially when it comes to character development. The team dynamics, which should be evolving and growing more complex as the season progresses, have become increasingly predictable. Each character’s interactions feel like they’ve settled into familiar rhythms, with Michelle Mackey and JD Dempsey constantly teasing each other, while Evie Cooper and DeShawn Jackson have their own playful back-and-forth. This formulaic approach to the team’s chemistry was fun at first, but at this stage of the series, the characters should be offering more diverse and meaningful dynamics.
The repetitive nature of these moments is especially evident in the lighthearted scenes at the end of the episode. In Season 2, Episode 5, “Shucked,” it was a dance party; now, in “Breathless,” the team comes together for a karaoke session. While these scenes are fun and provide some comedic relief, they feel more like filler than organic character moments. At this point in the season, with the characters having been firmly established, there’s a missed opportunity to push their relationships and interactions in new and unexpected directions. Instead, the show sticks to its comfort zone, recycling the same team dynamics that have already been explored multiple times.
Second seasons are typically a turning point for TV shows, a time when writers can start digging deeper into their characters and expand on the world they’ve built. With all the introductory exposition out of the way, this is when the real storytelling should begin. Unfortunately, NCIS: Sydney Season 2 seems to be treading water rather than making bold creative moves. While there have been some solid character moments sprinkled throughout the season, episodes like “Breathless” feel like the show is simply going through the motions, rather than exploring the full potential of its cast. There’s also the ongoing arc involving Colonel Rankin, which barely progresses in this episode, leaving viewers feeling like there’s little to no payoff for the serialized storyline. In the end, NCIS: Sydney Season 2, Episode 7 feels somewhat perfunctory and underwhelming — a missed opportunity for the show to raise its stakes and offer something more engaging.
