Viewers of NCIS: Sydney knew that Bluebird Gleeson was going to return to the CBS show, but there’s no way they predicted exactly how it would unfold. “True Blue” reveals all of Blue’s backstory, and it’s heartbreaking but also adds a whole new layer to the character, as well as the entire series. This may be a self-contained plot, but it leaves plenty to play with.
Season 3, Episode 2 is a breath of fresh air for the genre in general. The “tech expert” characters like Blue are almost always the comic relief characters, meant to be quirky and funny, because the assumption is that being so interested in science or technology means they’re geeky. This is a tired stereotype that holds little weight in reality—Sergeant Nathan Schilling from Tulsa Homicide on The First 48 is the computer expert and incredibly badass. So in “True Blue,” audiences get to see a far more serious side to Blue and see more of actor Mavournee Hazel. But they probably didn’t have “creepy suicide cult” on their backstory bingo card, even with the hint at the end of Season 2.
If you thought the character of Bluebird ‘Blue’ Gleeson on NCIS: Sydney had reached her limit — buckle up. Season 3, Episode 2 (titled “True Blue”) shatters expectations, peeling back the layers on Blue in a way that’s both devastating and transformative. By weaving in cult trauma, hidden identities, and emotional reckonings, this episode doesn’t just advance the plot — it redefines the character.
In this article you’ll get:
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A scene-by-scene breakdown of what happens to Blue in S3E2.
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Analysis of how her back-story reshapes the show’s dynamics.
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Thematic highlights: identity, trust, trauma, and redemption.
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Why this episode works so well (and what might come next).
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FAQs to address burning questions you might have.
Let’s dive in.
What Happens in Season 3, Episode 2 “True Blue”
The Set-up — Blue Disappears
The episode opens with Blue missing. The rest of the team is unsettled because she asked for help from Doc Roy and then vanished without a word. Her apartment remains untouched — bags packed, mail piling up, personal items left behind.
This absence sets the tone: something is horribly wrong, and Blue is no longer the quirky tech-expert the team thought they knew.
Discovery of the Bones
When Doc breaks into her flat (yes, a crowbar is involved), the team uncovers hidden bones in the ceiling and in mysterious boxes.
These aren’t just creepy props—they hold major back-story revelations about her father, her twin, and the secret life she’s been hiding.
Revelation – Blue’s True Identity & Past
The bones are identified as belonging to her father, Robert Mullens, long presumed missing. The team discovers Blue’s real name is Faith Mullens, and she has a twin brother, Eli.
She grew up in a cult-like commune, the Bilpin Collective, and changed identity to escape her past. Her membership in law enforcement (via the Australian Federal Police) was under false pretenses.
This twist recontextualises everything we thought we knew about Blue.
The Cult and the “Ascension” Plot
The episode takes a dark turn when it becomes clear the Bilpin Collective has morphed into a death-cult. The leader, Aspira, uses the prophecy of the Gemini twins’ “ascension” as a means to manipulate the group, culminating in a planned mass-suicide so she can sell off the land.
Blue is lured back under the guise of saving her brother, but finds herself in grave danger.
The Rescue and Major Emotional Beats
The team storms the commune just as the ritual begins. Eli drinks the poison, but Doc intervenes in time and saves him. Blue meets her grandmother for the first time. Trust is broken, identities are shattered — and Blue has to face the truth of her past.
Why This Episode Matters for Blue’s Character Arc
From Tech-Geek to Tragic Survivor
Until now, Blue was presented as the quirky “tech support” within the team—the one behind the scenes, cracking codes, dropping brief quips. In “True Blue,” we learn how much of that façade was built to survive. Her laconic humour masks deep trauma, self-protection and secrecy.
Identity, Reinvention and the Mask We Wear
She changed her name, created a new history, even joined law enforcement under false credentials. The episode asks: can you outrun your past? Showrunner Morgan O’Neill points out that Blue’s entire arc is about revealing who she really is and what that means for her place in the team.
Trust, Betrayal and Team Dynamics
Once the team realises what Blue has been hiding—not out of malice, but out of survival—the question becomes: how do they handle it? Do they stand by her or report her? This thread sets up deeper tension for Season 3.
Trauma Doesn’t Disappear
The show brings a serious touch to cult trauma, brain-washing, mass-suicide ideology and identity theft, instead of glossing it over. It’s bold for a procedural to dive this deep. Critics note that the tone is more serious than usual for NCIS: Sydney.
Thematic Highlights & Why They Hit Hard
The Duality of “Blue”
Blue’s very name signals duality—bluebird, Blue, but also twin sister of Eli. The Gemini symbol in her bathroom is a neat metaphor: two persons, two pasts, two selves. The upside-down constellation Evie notices is a silent nod to the “upside-down” life Blue has been living.
Secrets, Lies and What They Cost
When you keep secrets to protect yourself, you may also protect the ones around you — but the cost is often relationships and trust. Blue’s deception wasn’t aimed at hurting her team but hiding from herself. The emotional cost of that is now being paid.
Family, Found and Lost
Blue’s family includes her grandmother she never met, her brother she believed abandoned her, and the team she fought so hard to hide from. The episode centres around what “family” really means — blood relation, chosen family, or both.
The Hidden Monster Behind Rituals
On the surface, the Bilpin Collective seemed benign (nature commune, back to earth ideals). But underneath is manipulation, deception, and mass death. It’s a strong reminder that danger often lurks in plain sight.
What This Means for NCIS: Sydney Going Forward
Blue’s Job – Is It at Risk?
The revelation that Blue forged her identity and entered AFP under a fake name may threaten her law-enforcement career. Will the team and show allow her redemption? The showrunner suggests this is part of her arc.
Team Trust Has a Long Road Ahead
Mackey and JD are conflicted over whether to report what they know. That tension will ripple through future episodes. Loyalty vs regulation is a huge theme now.
Setting Up Future Arcs
The brother Eli still has work to do. What about the grandmother? What about the cult’s other secrets? The bones in her apartment suggest more unresolved crimes. Viewers should expect more of Blue’s back-story to come.
The Show’s Tone Just Shifted
While NCIS: Sydney has had its dramatic moments, this episode shifts tone toward more weighty, character-driven drama. The audiences may see stronger, longer-running arcs rather than purely “case of the week”.
Standout Scenes & Why They Work
Doc Breaking In
It’s uncharacteristic for the team, but Doc breaking into Blue’s apartment speaks volumes. It’s desperation, trust, friendship — all in one scene. It’s where we realise Blue’s absence isn’t accidental.
The Bones Reveal
Visuals matter. Bones hidden in a ceiling, skull matches, soil from Bilpin — it’s creepy, raw, emotionally evocative. It’s the “proof” of her past, the evidence of her life before the team.
Confrontation at the Commune
When Blue confronts Aspira and calls out the cult’s lies, it’s her taking control. The ritual is underway, stakes are high, and the team arrives just in time. It works because they built up the tension slowly.
Blue Meets Grandma
Meeting her grandmother isn’t flashy, but it’s emotional. Blue is nervous, vulnerable, just one person in a sea of revelations. It humanises her. It brings her back down to earth after the high stakes.
What Could Be Improved (and What to Watch For)
Pacing Could Feel Rushed
Some viewers may feel the revelations come fast. One moment Blue is missing, next moment cult plot revealed. The episode crams a lot in one hour. Balanced storytelling will be key going forward.
Team Dynamics Need Time to Reset
The fallout of Blue’s secrets and the team’s knowledge of them will take time to play out fully. It will be interesting if the show gives space for the emotional and relational consequences rather than jumping straight into next case.
Make Sure the Cult Plot Doesn’t Overshadow the Crime-Procedural Roots
While the cult story is compelling, NCIS: Sydney’s identity is still as procedural. The show must balance character arcs with crime investigations so long-time fans aren’t left adrift.
Why This Episode Resonates With Viewers
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Relatability through trauma: We all hide something, or we all wonder if our past defines us. Blue’s journey reflects that.
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Empathy for the outsider: Blue was always marginalised—a techie, quirky, secretive. This gives her a deeper humanity.
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High stakes, emotional payoff: The cult, the bones, the father’s disappearance – these are plot devices, yes – but they also carry emotional weight.
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Team-drama meets personal-drama: Procedurals often separate the “case” and the “character”. Here they intertwine.
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Freshness in a crowded genre: Many shows revisit cults, identity, trauma—but NCIS: Sydney does it within the familiar crime-framework in a new way.
Key Quotes & Creative Insights
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Showrunner Morgan O’Neill: “We just found the opportunity to go into the first 15, 16 years of Blue’s life … The nature of cults is really, really fascinating to me.”
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On her identity: Blue told Doc she didn’t remember the prophecy being part of her childhood: meaning the commune’s “ascension” plan was manufactured after she left.
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On team dynamics: Mackey and JD feel like “mother and dad” discovering a secret about their child.
Predictions & What to Look Forward To
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Blue will have to rebuild trust with her teammates. Watch for scenes about her re-earning her place.
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Eli’s arc: Will he recover? Will he choose the team or slip back into the cult mindset?
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The bones in her apartment: More may be uncovered, creating new investigation threads.
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The fallout of her fake identity: Will this get made public? Will her job be in jeopardy?
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Team relationships will be tested. Mackey and JD especially will face questions of ethics, loyalty, and regulation.
Verdict
“True Blue” is far more than just an episode of TV. It’s a turning point. It forces the question: Who is Blue, really? And once that’s answered, it asks: What will we do now that we know?
This episode elevates the show, deepens the character, and sets the stage for a season that isn’t just about catching criminals—it’s about healing, identity, and family (chosen or not). If you’re a fan of the series, this is the episode you’ll talk about. If you’re new, this is a strong entry point to understand the emotional backbone of the team.
Conclusion
By bringing Blue back into the frame in the most heartbreaking way, NCIS: Sydney Season 3 Episode 2 does more than shock—it transforms. It takes a character we thought we knew, pulls the rug out from under her, and invites us to walk with her into a new future. Her journey won’t be easy, but it promises to be compelling. If you care about emotional truth wrapped in procedural drama, you’ll want to keep tuning in.
