NCIS Season 22, Episode 11: “For Better or Worse” Tackles Longstanding Criticism
In a rare moment of self-awareness, NCIS addresses one of its biggest criticisms in Season 22, Episode 11, “For Better or Worse.” The episode follows the Major Case Response Team (MCRT) as they uncover Nick Torresโ (Wilmer Valderrama) undercover operation, which leads them to a high-stakes mission involving a Baltimore gang. While the case itself treads familiar territory for a show that has been on the air for over two decades, the episode stands out for its meta-commentary on the agentsโ approach to investigations.
Tensions Rise as Personal Drama Collides with the Case
Torres has been deep undercover as “Donny Rico,” infiltrating a gang in Baltimore. When his team is alerted to an associate linked to his cover identity, they step in to assist. However, when Alden Parkerโs (Gary Cole) team joins the mission, tensions run high, revealing how the agents often contribute to high-pressure moments rather than easing them.
Meanwhile, personal conflicts continue to simmer. NCIS Season 22, Episode 9 (“Humbug”) introduced the revelation that Torres is dating Robin Knight (Lilian Bowden)โthe sister of his teammate, Jessica Knight (Katrina Law). While some colleagues, like Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen), are supportive of the relationship, Jess isnโt thrilled.
A Call-Out on NCISโ Biggest Criticism
The brewing tension reaches a boiling point when Jess confronts Torresโbut at the worst possible time. While undercover at a bar with Roman (Steven Flynn) and his gang, Torres meets up with Jess to provide a sit-rep. Instead of focusing on the case, she questions him about giving Robin a drawer at his apartmentโinformation she learned from Jimmy. Jess warns Torres about her sisterโs deep attachment to relationships, but Torres quickly shuts her down, calling out the inappropriateness of discussing personal matters in the middle of a sensitive mission.
Torresโ frustration echoes a common complaint from longtime NCIS viewers: the agentsโ casual, often distracting personal banter during investigations. While lighthearted moments in the bullpen or forensics lab make sense, agents treating crime scenes as casual hangouts can diminish the urgency of the cases they handle.
A Step Toward Self-Awareness
By having Torres directly call out Jessโ misplaced priorities, NCIS subtly acknowledges a recurring issueโits tendency to blend crime-solving with personal drama at inopportune moments. While fans appreciate character development, balancing procedural storytelling with interpersonal conflicts has been a long-standing challenge for the show.
With NCIS still going strong in Season 22, this moment of self-reflection could signal a shift toward a more grounded approach to investigations. Whether the show will continue to address this issue remains to be seen, but “For Better or Worse” marks an important step in recognizing and refining its storytelling.
This version keeps all the key details while improving clarity, flow, and impact. It also enhances readability and tightens the focus on the main critique. Let me know if youโd like any tweaks!
