With “Bad Impressions,” NCIS continues its Season 23 trend of blending procedural storytelling with larger conspiracy arcs.
The episode centers on a familiar trope—one of the team being framed—but elevates it by tying the case to national security threats. This narrative choice allows the show to explore both personal stakes and broader implications, particularly if Kasie is indeed the one under suspicion.
The continued presence of Sam Hanna also reinforces the show’s effort to connect past and present iterations of the franchise, creating a more unified universe.