Santa has been to The Big Easy already, and he left our gifts at NCIS: NEW ORLEANS.
The Big Easy already has started celebrating the holidays. (But, when is it not celebrating something?) New Orleans is one of several cities that holds “The Running of the Santas” race. NOLA held its event on Saturday, and over 1000 Santas participated. (Proceeds benefit military families.)
So, when the guest cast for tonight’s NCIS: NEW ORLEANS episode, “Mirror Mirror,” was announced, I assumed that the real Mr. Claus was in the race, and that he left an early gift for us. Stacy Keach returns as Cassius Pride, Dwayne’s (Scott Bakula) incarcerated dad. Steven Weber is back as former mayor, now imprisoned felon, Douglas Hamilton.
I have no information that Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell are among the inmates, but I do have some good news…
Chelsea Field (Bakula’s real-life wife) returns as ADA/Reserve Navy CDR JAG Corps attorney, Rita Devereaux. When Rita tells Dwayne that Hamilton (Steven Weber) is floating a deal to spring himself from prison, the younger Pride and the very motivated NCIS: NEW ORLEANS team review the evidence in the Clearwater case to spoil that plan.
Does Douglas really have a mystery partner? And is that partner Cassius Pride? Why is Dwayne going rogue (not again!!!) and putting his job on the line? There must be some compelling evidence, because Gregorio’s (Vanessa Ferlito) ex-boss FBI Agent Isler (Derek Webster) pitches in to help.
Isler claims he wants to get back in the FBI’s good graces so he can go back to D.C., but I suggest that he wait a couple of months. Epiphany Eve (January 5) kicks off the Carnival season and lasts through Mardi Gras in February.
One of the perks of Carnival season? King Cake, served in offices all over the city, every week. If King Cake does not do it for you, check out the feast that Pride is whipping up in the kitchen.
NCIS: NEW ORLEANS and the rest of NOLA, they all know how to celebrate.
Other guest cast members are Nina Lisandrello, Taylor Selé, Leigh Ann Larkin, Robert Montano, Ted Ferguson and Joseph Toves.
“Mirror Mirror” was written by Brad Kern & Lynne E. Litt and directed by Geary McLeod. NCIS: NEW ORLEANS airs tonight (December 12) at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS in the U.S. and on Global TV in Canada.
