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Critic’s Rating: 4 / 5.0
4
When Donna Mills guest stars on NCIS, you know the drama is about to get real.
The legendary actress, best known for her iconic role as Abby Ewing on Knots Landing, brings her signature flair to NCIS Season 22 Episode 3.
With a touch of classic TV magic, Mills fits right into a lineup of unforgettable guest stars like Robert Wagner and Lily Tomlin.
As one of the original queens of TV drama, Mills has always been glamorous, ruthless, and never afraid to shake things up.
Abby didn’t just play the game; she wrote the rules and broke them whenever it suited her.
Now, as Wanda Prescott, a high-society antiques collector with a mysterious past, Mills brings that same magnetic energy to NCIS.
If there’s one thing we can count on, it’s that when Donna Mills steps onto the screen, she’s not here to blend in — she’s here to own the moment.
A Spooky Case for Halloween
Being a Halloween episode, NCIS serves up a good mix of suspense, laughs, and a touch of holiday creepiness.
Parker is all-in for Halloween fun, but when trick-or-treaters pop up in the middle of the investigation, he doesn’t get nearly the thrill Jess does.
It adds a light-hearted vibe amidst the tension, setting the stage for a classic NCIS mystery.
So, about Hal: Hal is dead, but the real mystery is whether his house belongs to him or to Bryce Prescott, a Navy SEAL who insists it’s his.
McGee and Torres, loyal as ever, are inclined to believe Bryce at his word — they’re all about keeping that “old” team spirit alive.
Parker, meanwhile, is cautious and wants proof.
It’s an interesting dynamic, with Torres and McGee clearly respecting Parker but also holding onto Gibbs’s old-school style.
If McGee were to eventually step into the lead role, would he bring back the classic Gibbs vibe? It’s something worth watching.
Donna Mills Brings a Touch of Glamour to the Haunted Lodge
Here’s where the NCIS Halloween fun ramps up.
The investigation leads them to a supposed haunted lodge called Prescott’s Folly, and Parker gets a kick out of it, especially with Torres and Jess spooked about visiting.
Donna Mills plays Wanda with an air of mystery, but unfortunately, the character doesn’t quite bring the high drama of Abby Ewing.
Still, she’s fabulous, dressed to the nines, and adds a touch of class to the haunted vibe.
Parker, ever the joker, savors watching Torres and Jess squirm about going inside, adding a little snark when he and McGee walk to the “safety” of their car: “Is this a great job or what?”
His ability to balance humor with serious moments — like when the trick-or-treaters showed up — keeps the episode’s tone on point.
When Jess and Torres find themselves in a room full of creepy dolls and mannequin heads, Parker’s amused commentary is priceless, adding levity to an otherwise unsettling situation.
McGee’s Dilemma
But a haunted lodge wasn’t the only “haunting” this hour. Something’s haunting McGee, too.
He’s clearly still feeling the sting of being passed over for the deputy director role, an understandable disappointment he reluctantly shared with Parker.
While Parker is glad McGee’s still with the team, McGee’s mood suggests the snub affects him more than he’d like to admit.
There’s no rift between him and Parker, but McGee’s loyalty to Gibbs’s legacy might be adding a layer of frustration.
It’s almost as if he believes things might have turned out differently if Gibbs had still been around.
The frustration is real enough that McGee’s even digging into LaRoche. Not a good thing, even if we knew it would happen anyway. But he’s doing it alone, and that’s the problem.
This is probably why he was so “all about business” at Prescott’s house when Jimmy, Torres, and Jess were having some fun banter about Jimmy’s “ME” costume.
The fact that he decided to focus on LaRoche instead of checking out Ducky’s with the rest of the team shows that he’s heading down a dangerous path.
Because, you know, any other time, he would’ve been right there in an instant.
There is definite trouble on the horizon for McGee and the rest of the team.
Ducky’s
After a year, it’s not surprising that Ducky’s old office is finally getting repurposed. But this isn’t just a simple makeover.
Everyone had an idea of what it should become, and in true Vance fashion, he found a way to satisfy them all, unveiling a multi-purpose room dubbed Ducky’s that everyone can enjoy.
It’s a fitting, thoughtful tribute that honors Ducky’s legacy while keeping the space functional for the team.
Now, let’s talk Parker.
Personally, I thought he should’ve held back on making suggestions (take a cue from Jess, who wisely kept her opinions to herself).
Interestingly enough, after Vance revealed Ducky’s to the team, Jess and Parker gravitated toward sitting together in the “commissary” section.
It got me thinking: even after three years post-Gibbs, is there still an unspoken divide within the team?
If there’s any potential “ringleader” of that divide, it could easily be McGee — and Torres may not be far behind.
Here’s why: Torres’s fixation on Jess and Jimmy’s relationship has been raising my eyebrows. Sure, he’s close with both of them, but his recent curiosity feels like more than casual interest.
And then, there’s that moment in the haunted lodge when Torres confides in Jess that he’s ready to get back into the “love” game. That’s when the lightbulb went off –- it seems he might be interested in Jess.
Which would be a complete disaster.
Jess and Torres share a solid working relationship and friendship, but romantic chemistry? Not so much.
And seriously, would Torres cross that line and go after Jimmy’s girl?
That awkward moment at the crime scene when Torres brought up the gym idea to Jimmy felt way out of place, almost as if he was testing the waters or feeling Jimmy out.
It all hints at a deeper conflict brewing. And if Torres went as far as discussing his feelings with Jimmy directly — that’d be a mess on a whole new level.
There’s a connection between Jess and Torres, sure, but it’s platonic. Pursuing something more could risk their friendship, Jimmy’s feelings, and the entire team dynamic. Here’s hoping the show doesn’t tread down that path.
Now, where there is chemistry — and I’ve said it before — is between Parker and Jess.
Ever since they were trapped together on that ship last season, their bond has been undeniable.
They’re both part of the “new team,” unburdened by the old NCIS legacy, so they see eye-to-eye in a way the others don’t.
If there’s anyone Parker would open up to about the mystery of Lily, it’s Jess.
No doubt, their closeness is only going to deepen, but whether it becomes a “thing” is anyone’s guess.
It’d definitely stir things up — and while that’d be interesting to watch, I’m not sure anyone really wants to see their working relationship turn into a full-blown romance.
Over to you TV Fanatics! What did you think about “The Trouble with Hal?”
Do you think McGee is heading for trouble? Is Torres about to cross a dangerous line? Hit the comments and share your thoughts!
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