Taylor Sheridan—More Than Just Yellowstone Creator
You likely know Taylor Sheridan as the mastermind behind Yellowstone, Wind River, and Mayor of Kingstown. But before he became a powerhouse writer and director, Sheridan occasionally stepped in front of the camera—and even left his mark on the NCIS universe.
A One-Episode Turn as Navy Captain Jennings
In NCIS: Los Angeles Season 2, Episode 19 — titled “Enemy Within” — Sheridan appears as Navy Captain Jennings, a decorated naval intelligence officer. It’s a brief appearance, but jam-packed with tensionayearofncis.home.blog+10slashfilm.com+10collider.com+10fandomwire.com+1screenrant.com+1.
The Heart of “Enemy Within”
This episode centers on a deep state conspiracy involving a missing lieutenant commander and an assassination plot targeting a Venezuelan politician. Sheridan’s Jennings provides critical intel, clashing with the NCIS team over “unproven algorithms” and hinting at a wider shadow war .
Why It Feels Like a Classic Sheridan Conspiracy Tale
Moral Ambiguity in Uniform
Jennings isn’t a cartoonish bad guy. He’s loyal, conflicted, and bound by military protocol—classic Sheridan themes of duty vs. ethics.
Layers of National Security Threats
The story dives into assassination plots, intelligence leaks, and covert manipulation—elements Sheridan would later refine in Sicario, Wind River, and Mayor of Kingstown.
Conspiracy Thriller DNA—In Early Primetime Procedural
Hybrid Plot Style
NCIS: LA meets slow-burning tension: the intelligence community is murky, loyalties are shifting, and there are moral costs.
Narrative Foreshadowing
If you watch closely, you’ll spot Sheridan’s fingerprints: the intertwining of a personal moral crisis with larger institutional issues—a hallmark of his writing bosshunting.com.au.
Sheridan’s Shift from On-Screen to Behind-the-Scenes Power
Last Acting Role Before Writing Breakthrough
This was Sheridan’s final TV role before he dove head-first into writing Sicario, then Hell or High Water, and ultimately Yellowstone iiab.me+4slashfilm.com+4bosshunting.com.au+4.
Why Fans of Sheridan’s Later Work Should Rewatch It
Spot Early Storytelling Cues
That same brooding, morally conflicted style is present—even in a guest appearance—including the clash over technology vs. human judgement.
Atmosphere of Unspoken Threat
Military intrigue, hush-hush conferences, covert intel—all feel pulled straight from a Sheridan blueprint.
Comparing “Enemy Within” to Sheridan’s Later Projects
| Element | NCIS: “Enemy Within” | Sheridan’s Later Work |
|---|---|---|
| Tone | Procedural with tension | Gritty, morally complex |
| Stakes | Assassination plots | Human survival, systemic corruption |
| Perspective | Captains & agents | Deeply personal protagonists |
| Methods | Military protocols | Coerced choices, moral ambiguity |
Where to Watch and What to Look For
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Episode Title: Enemy Within (S2E19 of NCIS: Los Angeles)en.wikipedia.orgiiab.mefandomwire.com+5collider.com+5slashfilm.com+5
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Platforms: Streaming services offering NCIS: LA—check your local listings.
Visual Payoffs
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Sheridan in uniform, delivering data-backed resistance to algorithmic intel.
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Chilly, dim boardrooms, hushed data exchanges—like boarding a train bound for Sheridan’s later worlds.
A Must-Watch for Fans of Conspiracy and Political Thrillers
If you love the haunting moral depth of Sheridan’s Wind River or the institutional rot in Kingstown, this one-off NCIS role is a precursor. It shows Sheridan experimenting in a mainstream format—and laying seeds for deeper, darker tales.
Final Thoughts
Yes—it’s just one episode. But Enemy Within is a hidden gem for those drawn to Sheridan’s style: morally complex, subtly ominous, and soaked in institutional drama. It’s where his transition from authority-figure actor to master storyteller began.
So next binge night, give it a spin. You’ll never look at NCIS: LA the same way again.
FAQs
Q1: Did Taylor Sheridan write “Enemy Within”?
No—he only acted in it. But his performance foreshadows the moral tensions he’d later dramatize as a writer.
Q2: Can I watch the episode without having seen other NCIS: LA stories?
Absolutely. It stands strong as a standalone thriller with no confusing character backstory.
Q3: What makes Sheridan’s performance stand out?
His grounded delivery and ethical conflict—giving a ripple of doubt that sticks.
Q4: Are there other Sheridan cameos worth checking out?
Yes. He appears in Yellowstone, 1883, Hell or High Water, and Lionessfandomwire.comfandomwire.com+1iiab.me+1en.wikipedia.org+4screenrant.com+4dexerto.com+4.
Q5: Should NCIS fans rewatch the series after seeing this?
Definitely. It casts new light on seemingly innocent procedural beats—especially around intelligence gathering.
