NCIS Sydney: South of Nowhere

Considering how many hostile foreign powers are currently targeting the U.S. and our allies, would the Navy’s resources truly be best spent on Antarctic climate research? This episode of CBS’s mega-procedural franchise makes a good case for the negative (probably unintentionally). Regardless, when a wave of violent madness sweeps through the scientific station, NCIS Agent Michelle Mackey’s lucky team happens to be the closest, so they must respond in “South of Nowhere,” the mid-season premiere of creator-showrunner Morgan McNeill’s NCIS Sydney, which premieres tonight on CBS.

According to the initial report, one scientist suddenly went nuts, killing another, but was quickly subdued. However, when Mackey and her team arrive (minus the high-strung Blue Gleeson, who has dog-sitting duties), they find a bloodbath. They immediately suspect an airborne “zombie virus,” until they find a survivor.

Nevertheless, the Agents must make contingencies in case some of their comrades turn into rabid killers. Much to the credit of McNeill and co-writer Josh Sambono, this episode directly references the classic The Thing Another World. However, given the context, they probably really mean to name-drop John Carpenter’s 1982 re-conception, The Thing, which is also a great film.

Either way, the Antarctic setting is relatively ambitious for a weekly procedural series—even without extensive outdoor location shots. This episode also builds urgency with a countdown to the six months of solstice night due to engulf the polar region in less than four days. As a bonus, it also acknowledges the duplicitous nature of one of Putin’s closest allies.

This “novelty” episode notably gives regular cast-members a chance to do something a little different—acting twitchy and paranoid, which Todd Lasance, Tuuli Narkle, and Sean Sagar make the most of. Director Kriv Stenders also nicely capitalizes on the confined setting. Consequently, there are nice moments of homage to films like The Thing and 30 Days of Night.

Frankly, this one-off works better than the continuing story-arc, judging from the annoying (and predictable) revelation that closes the episode. Regardless, fans will be happy to have new NCIS and casual viewers will enjoy polar genre elements. Recommended as more of the same (but in a new and interesting setting), “South of Nowhere,” the NCIS Sydney mid-season premiere airs tonight (3/3) on CBS.