Warning! Spoilers ahead for NCIS season 22, episode 2.The NCIS season 22 premiere introduced the team's biggest threat, but it was a huge disappointment when the next episode failed to address it. NCIS season 22 introduced the idea that there was a mole in the agency, and the cliffhanger at the end of the premiere seemed to be the perfect segue into episode 2. However, the latest NCIS episode glossed over the threat completely.
The most recent NCIS episode was not a total loss, however, since it showed Jessica Knight back together with her NCIS team after she had originally planned to leave in the NCIS season 21 finale. The team dynamics were stronger than ever following the latest update in the premiere. However, it was strange that NCIS season 22, episode 2, "Foreign Bodies" ignored its biggest problem.
NCIS Season 22, Episode 2 Disregarded The Mole Cliffhanger In The Premiere
Episode 2 Focused On The Team's Loyalty And Strength Instead
Despite the dramatic buildup that there was a mole in the agency in the NCIS season 22 premiere, its next episode completely disregarded the narrative. At the end of season 22, episode 1, it was revealed that the mole was none other than Seamus Dever's Gabriel LaRoche, the new Deputy Director of NCIS and former DOJ Inspector General. The reveal that LaRoche got the position over McGee came right at the end of the outing, which made it the perfect setup for the next episode, so it was surprising that NCIS chose to postpone the storyline instead.
Episode 2 instead focused on NCIS' role in the attempt to establish strong diplomatic ties between the United States and Venezuela. It also saw Leon Vance in a major role, and given his responsibilities, and the heavy political theme in the episode, it was odd that the newest Deputy Director did not make an appearance. However, perhaps it was good that LaRoche stayed in the background because it allowed the NCIS team's strong sense of loyalty to shine instead. If LaRoche were mixed in as well, Alden Parker and his team's job would have been more difficult.
Why Gabriel LaRoche Poses A Massive Threat To NCIS
Gabriel Has The Power To Do Major Damage
NCIS has had a mole before through Special Agent Michelle Lee in season 6, but Gabriel's position of power means that he can cause significantly more damage than if he was just a Special Agent. As Deputy Director, Gabriel is above Parker but below Vance. Gabriel's role, in combination with his history at the DOJ, gives him a lot of power, which means he can cause a lot of damage if he wants to.
Even though episode 2 did not address Gabriel, given the dramatic ending of the season premiere, it is certain that he will appear again. At least, the team has the slight advantage of knowing that Gabriel is the mole. In season 6, the team was at a disadvantage because they had to spend a significant amount of time uncovering who the mole was. However, their knowledge of Gabriel just makes their suspicions stronger, which could end up damaging the NCIS team in the long run if they are not careful with how they reveal their information.
