Melina Kanakaredes Shines In One of The Less Impactful Episodes of NCIS Season 22

NCIS Season 22 Episode 10, titled Baker’s Man, deviates significantly from the typical midseason premiere format. Typically, the episodes that follow a winter break are crafted to feel like grand season debuts, aimed at re-engaging viewers with high-stakes drama. However, Baker’s Man offers a much more subdued return to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, presenting itself as a gentle reintroduction rather than a thrilling comeback, making it one of the less impactful episodes of the season despite guest actress Melina Kanakaredes’ powerful performance.

The title Baker’s Man suggests an intriguing story revolving around a bakery owner who has won the affection of Alden Parker. Upon discovering the shocking murder of the bakery’s sole employee, Parker experiences a profound emotional tie to the incident.

Yet, the plot develops in a manner that offers minimal suspense, allowing audiences to foresee the conclusion with ease. This lack of surprise is particularly disappointing, especially given the prominent appearance of a familiar guest star from the CSI franchise.

NCIS Season 22 Episode 10 Fails To Deliver An Engaging Concept

Rather than serving as an exhilarating spring debut, Baker’s Man exemplifies a major criticism of network television. The tendency for extended seasons to include filler episodes merely to fulfill the requirement of 20 or more episodes. While some filler episodes can stand out as compelling narratives, this one falls short.

The notion that the Greek bakery frequented by Parker is secretly a hub for cocaine trafficking feels like a hastily conceived plot twist that lacks proper development. The randomness of the premise raises questions, and viewers are left to decide whether they can accept the pre-credits scene where Parker senses something amiss at the bakery but fails to investigate further.

Although this scene is crucial for setting up the episode, it strains credibility that a seasoned agent like Parker wouldn’t be more alarmed by the situation. The script attempts to captivate the audience by cramming in numerous plot twists, but this approach feels forced rather than engaging.

It features an exaggerated lawyer, a shocking double murder, an even more flamboyant drug lord, and a corrupt cop. However, simply throwing in unexpected turns does not guarantee a memorable narrative. A story must maintain cohesion, and its characters need to resonate with the audience.

Viewers can easily predict that Parker’s potential love interest, Eleni Kostakis (played by actress Melina Kanakaredes), will ultimately be exonerated, even though she will initially be the main suspect. The rest of the story merely serves as a lengthy journey to reveal the true antagonist.

Uncovering that Eleni’s motivation ties back to a prison shakedown scheme feels like an excessive twist in the storyline. Often, more straightforward narratives—such as a familiar acquaintance making a poor business choice and associating with unsavory individuals—can be more impactful.

By streamlining the plot, there would have been ample opportunity to develop the guest characters further, allowing them to resonate as real individuals rather than mere placeholders in the story.

NCIS Season 22 Episode 10 Fails To Fully Utilize Melina Kanakaredes

TV crime drama enthusiasts will surely appreciate Melina Kanakaredes’ role as Eleni Kostakis, but that excitement quickly fades. Kanakaredes is a familiar face to CBS audiences, having captivated viewers for eight seasons as Stella Bonasera on CSI : NY.

More recently, Melina Kanakaredes made waves in the first season of the acclaimed medical drama The Resident, portraying the morally ambiguous Dr. Lane Hunter.

However, for those who fondly recall her time as a CSI, it’s difficult not to yearn for a more dynamic role for her character. As a victim rather than an investigator, her opportunities are understandably limited, yet the episode fails to provide her with any truly compelling moments to showcase her talent.

Eleni’s connection with Parker is adequate, yet it lacks the memorable spark needed to evoke the emotional depth that Baker’s Man aims for. Even during their shared moment over baked treats at the episode’s conclusion, the audience remains unmoved.

On the other hand, when NCIS hints at the possibility of Eleni being involved in drug dealing, Kanakaredes misses the opportunity to explore that tension. Although Eleni is brought in for questioning, the scene is abruptly cut short by her “lawyer,” preventing her from expressing any defensiveness or anger that could have heightened the suspense and left viewers questioning her motives.

Furthermore, in the finale, as Eleni attempts to protect Nick Torres and Jessica Knight from danger, the scene lacks the necessary intensity. Characters frequently mention how civilians in this episode have saved their lives, yet the emotions of fear or relief that would lend weight to those claims never truly surface.

The shortcomings extend beyond just Kanakaredes. The other two primary characters are mere caricatures. One is a sleazy lawyer with ties to a dealer, while the other is an overly intimidating dealer who brandishes a huge golden gun, as if he’s auditioning for a role in a James Bond film.

The only genuine insight we gain about the villain is his fondness for The Great British Baking Show, which feels like a misguided attempt at humor during what should be the most suspenseful moment of the episode. NCIS has consistently delivered superior humor and character development.

NCIS Unveils Torres’ Romantic Interest – Yet Fans Are Already Aware

In this episode, the subplot involving the team reveals the identity of Nick Torres’ enigmatic girlfriend – it’s none other than Jessica Knight’s sister, Robin. This revelation sets the stage for Robin’s later appearance in Season 22. However, there are two significant issues with what is intended to be a humorous twist.

First, astute viewers likely saw this coming, and second, Baker’s Man fails to capitalize on the potential of this reveal. The script makes the connection evident right from the opening scene in the NCIS bullpen, as the episode synopsis hints at tension in the office surrounding this revelation.

Unfortunately, the anticipated tension never materializes; instead, the reveal serves merely as comic relief, with characters making light of this new development. Tension between Torres and Knight only truly escalates when he chooses to engage her in conversation as they approach the suspicious warehouse, a moment that feels entirely out of place for such a discussion.

This seems to be a clear case of dramatic license, as NCIS attempts to inject excitement into what would otherwise be a routine warehouse search. However, the looming possibility of someone being inside the warehouse makes their chatter feel risky, as it could easily lead to their discovery.

Moreover, there’s no compelling reason—aside from the demands of television storytelling—that Torres couldn’t have had this conversation with Knight while they were still in the car. Although Knight appears somewhat irritated, she never reaches a point of genuine anger. Therefore, if the intention was to create tension between the two characters, the execution fell short.

Positives

1) Genre enthusiasts will be thrilled to witness Melina Kanakaredes from CSI : NY making a special guest appearance.

2) The episode ultimately uncovers the identity of Nick Torres’s romantic partner.

Negatives

1) The storyline is quite ordinary and becomes increasingly complicated as it progresses.

2) Viewers are likely to anticipate the Torres twist right from the start.

Conclusion

Baker’s Man encapsulates its essence quite succinctly. It starts with a wobbly premise, clearly indicates the intended destinations for its characters, yet fails to deliver those outcomes with any real impact. NCIS Season 22 Episode 10 had the potential to be far more engaging, but instead, it comes across as a minor weekly case, leaving viewers in anticipation of the next significant event or plot twist.

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