NCIS Season 22 Recap: Revisiting Old Mistakes and New Challenges
Season 22 of NCIS has been packed with high-stakes cases, including one that nearly mirrors a past agency mistake. The team—now reunited with Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) after her stint in California—continues to handle major cases. This includes preventing a potential global catastrophe in episode 4 and tackling a complex hostage and murder situation in episode 5, titled “In From the Cold.”
The Case at Hand: A Rogue CIA Agent and a Russian Spy
Episode 5 kicks off with the NCIS Major Case Response Team (MCRT) investigating a hostage crisis at a hospital that escalates into a murder mystery. The situation takes a bizarre turn when Thomas Butler (John Getz), the alleged perpetrator, starts reciting strange numbers. The team’s investigation leads them to uncover a hidden CIA connection when Officer Conrad (Tom Achanley) arrives, claiming Butler is a Russian spy.
However, things aren’t as they seem. Conrad, far from being a helpful ally, turns out to be a corrupt CIA agent. His true motives come to light when Parker (Gary Cole) and his team discover Conrad’s link to a secretive file known as Project Laurel, containing records of CIA crimes—many tied directly to Conrad. With careful planning, the MCRT exposes and apprehends him, narrowly avoiding another long-term menace like those the team has faced in the past.
A Callback to Gibbs’ Era: The Trent Kort Parallel
The rogue CIA agent plot isn’t new territory for NCIS. Fans may recall the infamous Trent Kort (David Dayan Fisher), a former CIA operative whose repeated interference created chaos for Gibbs’ MCRT from seasons 4 to 13. Kort’s most notable actions include sabotaging the René Benoit (La Grenouille) investigation by bombing Tony DiNozzo’s car—a near-miss for Tony (Michael Weatherly)—and later setting Ziva David’s (Cote de Pablo) family home ablaze, faking her death in the process.
Unlike Kort, whose repeated run-ins with the team caused prolonged havoc, Conrad is caught and neutralized within a single episode. Yet, his introduction serves as a chilling reminder of how dangerous unchecked villains can become.
How the Team Took Down Conrad
Conrad initially throws the team off balance, presenting himself as a concerned CIA officer trying to protect national security. However, his evasiveness and reluctance to share crucial information raise suspicions. When Kasie Hines (Diona Reasonover) develops a counterattack program to bypass interference in their search for Butler, it triggers Conrad’s arrival at NCIS headquarters.
The truth unravels when Butler, who believes he’s living in the 1970s, reveals key information about Project Laurel. Working covertly, Parker aligns with Butler to bait Conrad, ultimately catching him red-handed before he can harm anyone further.
A New Era for NCIS
By successfully stopping Conrad, the MCRT avoids repeating the mistakes of the past, where villains like Kort eluded justice for years. The episode underscores the team’s adaptability and the evolution of its leadership under Parker. With Jessica Knight back on the team alongside Tim McGee (Sean Murray) and Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), the MCRT continues to grow stronger, prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead.
This blend of fresh threats and callbacks to classic NCIS storylines keeps the show engaging while honoring its rich history.
