NCIS season 22’s latest story update teases McGee’s (Sean Murray) suspicions about a new character, Deputy Director LaRoche (Seamus Dever), in the upcoming episodes. NCIS season 22, episode 9 heavily featured the new member of the team, who is acting rather suspiciously and seems to be hiding something from his new coworkers. This included actions that tampered with the team’s investigation, questioning them at every turn and wanting to be involved in every facet, including witness interviews. Taking credit for an investigation he tried to stop prompts negative reactions, especially from McGee.
Speaking with TV Insider, executive producer Steven D. Binder teased how McGee will be thoroughly investigating LaRoche when NCIS returns. He explained that, for right now, all the team’s Senior Field Agent has to go on is suspicion, but that he’ll begin peeling back the layers of their new superior when the show comes back. The executive producer also hinted at an episode inspired by the movie Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner featuring the pair, promising an entertaining and engaging discovery. Check out what Binder had to say below:
He will be in direct conflict with—you probably already picked up on [the fact that] McGee has an issue with the guy. It’s going to be McGee that takes the lead on looking into this guy or questioning this guy or wondering about this guy. Is this connected to the fact that this guy took the position McGee wanted? Maybe, but McGee’s a good agent, so if he smells smoke, there just might be fire.
Yeah, this isn’t some secret underground concern that McGee has. It’ll be out in the open. We’re going to have an episode [that]’s something like Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner with McGee and LaRoche and some of the family. So that’ll be a fun episode to get them together. It’s one thing to hunt down a guy or be suspicious of a guy or track a guy who is in the next office or works across the way someplace in DC, but when they’re in your powder room, it becomes a little more entertaining.
[So far] there’s just suspicion. You can keep an eye on somebody without necessarily … Season 22, anything’s game.
What Binder’s Statement Says About McGee’s Investigation In NCIS Season 22
LaRoche Can’t Hide His True Intentions For Long
Although it’s unclear what LaRoche’s reasons for meddling in the investigation are, his inclusion as a force against the rest of the cast of NCIS indicates his intentions aren’t good. While there’s no clear evidence he’s a mole or inside man for some nefarious purpose, it’s off-putting to McGee that he’s so willing to disrupt their investigations despite his place of power. Given his suspicions, it appears his own research into the Deputy Director will be a central part of the upcoming episodes.
Even though LaRoche was introduced earlier in season 22, the latest episode has proven him a core detriment to the team, especially if he continues to meddle in future missions. Since McGee has already decided to start looking into him, it sounds like whatever he uncovers won’t roll over into a potential NCIS season 23. Instead, the seasoned veteran of the team will have to maintain his vigilance and discover what he can sooner rather than later. Binder’s film-inspired episode may even be central to what gets discovered.
Our Take On McGee Investigating LaRoche In NCIS Season 22
Something Important Is Bound To Be Revealed
Given how much of an obstacle LaRoche was in the latest episode, it’s clear McGee’s suspicions will likely be confirmed through his investigation. While it’s still unknown what this means for the Deputy Director, whatever secrets he’s hiding are likely going to be revealed in the next few episodes of NCIS upon return. But, with that comeback still over a month away, there’s no telling what the new character’s actual motives for his behavior really are.