NCIS: Sydney‘s overarching villain in season 1 could lead to some interesting storylines in season 2. As the latest addition to the evolving NCIS universe, it introduced the first Australia-based NCIS team as they partnered up with the Australian Police Force to investigate crimes related to US Navy and Marine Corps personnel. This introduced Richard Rankin, a Department of Defense official who acts as a higher-up to both NCIS and the APF. While seemingly professional at the start, Rankin’s behavior implied a strong connection to NCIS: Sydney‘s season 1 villain in the season finale.
The season finale revealed the overarching villain to be Ana Niemus, a mysterious international criminal who is wanted under various aliases. While NCIS: Sydney‘s episodes featured various police procedural cases, Ana lurked in the background of season 1. The finale also revealed a connection between Ana Niemus and Rankin, as his phone number was the only phone number in the phone of her colleague. Rankin’s connection to Ana and her colleague could imply significant things for season 2.
Rankin Could Be A Bigger Threat Than Initially Perceived In NCIS Season 2
There May Be More Beneath The Surface
NCIS: Sydney season 2 could reveal that Rankin is a bigger threat than initially perceived in the spinoff. Season 1 revealed that he has immense power, and, unfortunately, he does not like the NCIS-APF task force. Occasionally, Rankin has made it difficult for the team to work together. The switch in behavior is only shown in the season finale, when Rankin helps the team arrange a switch between Ana Niemus and JD’s kidnapped son, as negotiated by her colleague, Yaroslav. This could be a sign of remorse for involving a child, or it could be a way to free Ana by any means necessary.
Season 1 has already revealed Rankin’s visible power, but his connections to Ana and Yaroslav could run deeper than they seem.
Season 1 has already revealed Rankin’s visible power, but his connections to Ana and Yaroslav could run deeper than they seem. He already holds much more bureaucratic power than the NCIS-APF team but given the NCIS: Sydney season 1 finale, the budding villain can also hold more criminal power. As a result, there are various ways Rankin can pose a threat to the task force moving forward. If Rankin has deeper connections than Ana and Yaroslav, he could threaten the team’s careers to keep them silent.
NCIS Season 2 Could Introduce A Different Villain (How They Could Tie To Rankin)
Corruption Could Be Season 2’s Biggest Theme
NCIS: Sydney season 1 diverted from typical NCIS seasons by having an overarching villain in the first place. Season 2 could continue this pattern. The likelihood of this is made even stronger through Ana’s escape. When Ana escapes and tells JD to “phone a friend,” it leads to the realization that Rankin has a bigger involvement than expected, which opens up the door to other villains who are connected to Rankin.
The new villain could potentially be tied back to Ana as well, or the new villain could be tied to Rankin through entirely different means, which would show just how deep his corruption goes. Perhaps the most exciting villain would be another NCIS or APF official, which would tie into the real threat corruption would have on the task force. Either way, a new villain would be an exciting addition to the cast of NCIS: Sydney season 2.
