A commonly overlooked detail about NCIS: Sydney proves that the series is the most relevant in the franchise. NCIS: Sydney is the last location-based NCIS narrative to remain. Previous location-based NCIS spinoffs — NCIS: Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Hawai’i — have all been canceled. Now that the Australian-centered series is the last man standing, its relevance has been questioned. That said, NCIS: Sydney has a worthy answer.
The Australia-based series launched in 2023 amid writer’s strikes that stalled regular network programming. The series utilized a local production crew to hone in on rising international tensions in the Indo-Pacific region while showcasing what Sydney offers. While other NCIS location-based series focused on satellite offices that are a part of the real NCIS network, NCIS: Sydney season 1 provided something different. It focused on real-time international relations. The series introduced a team of agents made up of American NCIS agents and Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers, and the connection represents something relevant in global politics on a larger scale.
NCIS: Sydney Represents A Growing Alliance Between The US And Australia
The NCIS Series Represents The AUKUS Agreement
NCIS: Sydney wasn’t just chosen because the Australian characters have great accents, although that is also a charming benefit of the series. Instead, the series represents an alliance between the United States and Australia that is happening in real-time. In 2023, the same year NCIS: Sydney premiered, the United States and Australia released a joint statement (via The Department of Defense) saying the alliance between the countries “has never been stronger.” The joint statement called the bond between the countries “a partnership of strategic interest – premised on a common determination to preserve stability, prosperity, and peace.”
It’s all part of the more extensive Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) agreement
Earlier in 2023, Australia announced that it would end a purchase agreement with France to source nuclear-powered submarines from the United States and the United Kingdom (via The White House.) The decision signaled that Australia wants to build military ties with Western countries like the US and the UK. It’s all part of the more extensive Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) agreement, a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States concerning protecting the Indo-Pacific Region.
How NCIS: Sydney Portrayed The US/Australia Alliance In Season 1
NCIS: Sydney Formed The AFP/NCIS Sydney Task Force
In the series’ opening scene, the Foreign Minister of Australia gives a speech at the Fleet Base East in Wooloomooloo, Australia. In it, she refers to the AUKUS agreement. She calls it “a public reminder of the friendship that’s spanned every major conflict since World War I,” referring to the agreement between the three nations. She also mentions “Talisman Sabre,” which is “the largest bilateral training exercise” between Australia and the United States. The mention reflects Exercise Talisman Sabre, a real biennial exercise between the countries (via The Department of Defense.)
After an AUKUS sailor was found dead in the water, the series portrayed the alliance, beginning with an NCIS investigation into the Petty Officer’s death. Agent Mackey was chosen to lead the team, and the AFP provided its total resources for the investigation. After Mackey and AFP Sergeant Jim “JD” Dempsey made a solid attempt to foil a NAVSEA sleeper cell, the AFP/NCIS Sydney Task Force was officially established, signifying the growing alliance between Australia and the US. The task force comprises most of the NCIS: Sydney cast, including its leader, Special Agent Michelle Mackey.
What To Expect From The US/Australia Alliance In NCIS: Sydney Season 2
The Team Will Continue To Investigate In Sydney
Bonds will continue to strengthen between team members in NCIS: Sydney season 2. In season 1, the team gradually warmed up to one another as its Australian members got to know their American counterparts and vice versa. Sometimes, the team members misunderstood one another due to cultural backgrounds, and that’s bound to happen again in season 2. The team will continue investigating the NAVSEA sleeper cell that emerged in episode 1, “Gone Fission.” While its leader, Ana Neimus, is on the run for now, she will surely reappear in season 2, as the actor is expected to reprise her role.
The team will also undoubtedly continue to unravel the suspicious activity of Richard Rankin, a former Colonel and an attaché for the Department of Defense. Rankin appeared connected to various villainous operations throughout the first season, including a direct connection to Ana Neimus. Colonel Rankin has implicated himself yet again, but it’s still to be said if he will get away with another massive blunder or if the AFP/NCIS Sydney Task Force will hold him accountable. He may have an answer sufficient to keep at his post in season 2, where he will remain a mystery.
The timely, real-world connection makes NCIS: Sydney the most relevant series in the franchise, the same way that NCIS was relevant amid Bush-era politics
Whatever is next for the task force, it will likely stay true to form for operations in the Indo-Pacific region and the AUKUS agreement on which NCIS: Sydney’s narrative is based. The timely, real-world connection makes NCIS: Sydney the most relevant series in the franchise, the same way that NCIS was relevant amid Bush-era politics, where terror threats were feared to be rampant, and the series portrayed NCIS agents taking them on. With NCIS: Tony & Ziva and NCIS:Origins portraying operations outside current US military ops, and NCIS 22 years into its story, NCIS: Sydney is genuinely the most relevant NCIS series.
Sources: The Department of Defense, The White House