Sydney Season 3’s Terrorist Plot Is Right Out Of The NCIS Playbook

There is enough to be excited about for NCIS: Sydney season 3 already, but its secret connection to NCIS makes it better. The show is the first international NCIS spinoff, and it has had many noticeable differences throughout its first two seasons. However, the show seems to be looking back at old NCIS for inspiration for NCIS: Sydney season 3.

The NCIS: Sydney season 3 premiere in particular will feature a storyline that hits close to home for the NCIS franchise. The NCIS: Sydney cast have remained tight-lipped about the upcoming season, but there have been a few sneak peeks of the premiere. The third season’s first episode may even feel more familiar than expected.

NCIS: Sydney’s Terror Plot Premiere Emulates Early NCIS Stories

Todd Lasance as JD and Olivia Swann as Mackey running in NCIS Sydney

First announced by TVLine, the NCIS: Sydney season 3 premiere is set to involve the team’s investigation into a terrorist storyline. The dark episode, titled “Gut Instinct”, will seemingly have high stakes as the NCIS: Sydney team deals with urgent matters where time is of the essence. The small premiere details hint at an intense season opening.

The premiere matches the high-stakes storylines that NCIS: Sydney has been known for, but it also emulates some of NCIS‘ most suspensful plots from their earlier seasons. Characters like Ari Haswari and Mamoun Shariff became well known as some of NCIS‘ best villains. They were also heavily involved in terror plots and became associated with some of the darkest times for the MCRT.

NCIS has had major success with recurring villains, especially ones that were particularly grim. The fact that NCIS: Sydney season 3 is opening with a terrorist plot hints at the introduction of a major villain that matches the personalities of Ari or Mamoun. NCIS‘ stories have been successful, and maybe NCIS: Sydney is trying to match them.

Mirroring NCIS Narratives May Be The Key To Increasing Viewership

NCIS Sydney's DeShawn (Sean Sagar) in the foreground while Mackey (Olivia Swann), JD (Todd Lasance), and Evie (Tuuli Narkle) are in the background — NCIS Sydney cast

NCIS: Sydney has had great stories throughout seasons 1 and 2, but it has fallen behind in viewership when compared to NCIS‘ other spinoffs. A major reason could be the fact that NCIS: Sydney is international, and can feel far from NCIS and its closer satellite offices. However, NCIS: Sydney season 3 could change this.

Mirroring successful and classic NCIS stories may be the key to helping attract new viewers. NCIS already has a major fan base, so the fact that NCIS: Sydney is closely aligned with NCIS already helps. Seeing old NCIS stories come back to life with an Australian twist could help increase NCIS: Sydney‘s ratings and give it the attention it deserves.

Source: TVLine

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