Ep 4. The Recruits

The Recruits is the fourth episode of the first season of NCIS: New Orleans. In this episode, the team is tasked with training new recruits for the NCIS. Pride (played by Scott Bakula) is put in charge of overseeing the training of three new agents, including a former Marine who struggles with authority and a female agent with exceptional skills.

As Pride begins to put the recruits through their paces, he notices that one of them, a young man named Ryan, seems to be struggling more than the others. Ryan is a recent college graduate who is unsure if he is cut out for the job. He lacks confidence in the field and is reluctant to take risks. Pride assigns seasoned agent Sebastian (played by Rob Kerkovich) to mentor Ryan and help him build the confidence he needs to succeed.

As the team continues to train, they receive a call from the FBI requesting their assistance with a case. A Navy lieutenant has been murdered, and the FBI believes it could be connected to a larger terrorist plot. The case becomes even more urgent when the team discovers that the lieutenant was working with a top secret program that could be used against the United States.

The team must work quickly to track down the killer and unravel the larger plot before it's too late. Along the way, they encounter a number of obstacles, including faulty intelligence and unexpected betrayals. With Sebastian's help, Ryan must find the courage to step up and help the team solve the case, proving that he has what it takes to be an NCIS agent.

In addition to the main plotline, the episode also delves into the personal lives of the characters. Pride's daughter, Laurel, makes a surprise visit, and the two struggle to reconnect after years of estrangement. Meanwhile, agent LaSalle (played by Lucas Black) is dealing with the aftermath of a recent breakup and questioning whether he's ready to move on.

The Recruits is a well-paced episode that balances action, humor, and character development. It's a great showcase for the ensemble cast, with each character given a chance to shine. The theme of mentorship is also prominent, as Pride and Sebastian teach the recruits the importance of teamwork, leadership, and resilience.

Overall, The Recruits is a strong episode that sets the stage for future installments of NCIS: New Orleans. It's a must-watch for fans of the show and a great introduction for newcomers looking to get hooked on the series.