The premiere episode of NCIS: Sydney, titled "Gone Fission," sets the stage for a new era in the NCIS franchise, introducing a dynamic partnership between the American Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The episode opens with a tense atmosphere in Sydney, as the arrival of the USS Navajo, an American warship, sparks protests against the presence of American military forces and their nuclear capabilities in Australia.
The scene is set with a protester holding a sign that reads "no yanks, no nukes," reflecting the local sentiment towards the American military presence. The tension escalates when an American sailor, Petty Officer Second Class Eric Flynn, collapses and falls into the water during the protest. His death under suspicious circumstances leads to a jurisdictional dispute between the AFP and NCIS.
Enter AFP Sergeant Jim "JD" Dempsey and his partner, Liaison Officer Constable Evie Coope, who are eager to attend the autopsy to determine the cause of Flynn's death. However, their plans are interrupted by the arrival of NCIS Special Agents Michelle Mackey and DeShawn Jackson, who claim jurisdiction over the case due to Flynn's connection to the USS Navajo.
The conflict between JD and Mackey is immediate and palpable. Mackey's assertive and somewhat tactless approach clashes with JD's more reserved and diplomatic style. Their disagreement over the case's jurisdiction leads to a meeting with higher-ups, resulting in a decision that the case belongs to NCIS, much to JD's chagrin. He is instructed to work with Mackey as her Australian liaison, a directive that sets the tone for their future interactions.
As the investigation unfolds, the team discovers that Flynn was quite the ladies' man, active on multiple dating apps. They track down a woman he met the day before his death, who goes by the screen name Xena 27. The trail leads them to a bar where Flynn was involved in a fight with a group of Australians who labeled him a "sceptic," a derogatory term for Americans.
The investigation takes a dramatic turn when it's revealed that Flynn did not die from his injuries but from radiation poisoning. This discovery suggests that the USS Navajo might be leaking radiation, a potentially scandalous revelation that both the Australian and American governments are keen to avoid. Despite being ordered to drop the case, JD and Mackey's tenacity leads them to continue their investigation.
Their persistence pays off when they uncover another American soldier's murder, this time involving a truth serum. An off-the-books autopsy reveals that the victim was killed to prevent him from divulging information about the submarine's nuclear capabilities. The case takes an international twist when it's discovered that Flynn was poisoned with Polonium 210, a radioactive substance favored by Russian spies.
The plot thickens as Xena 27 is revealed to be a Russian spy, likely involved in honey trapping American sailors to get close enough to poison them. The use of a substance that could be mistaken for a radioactive leak suggests a more sinister motive—to gain access to the ship. As the teams close in on the truth, they find themselves in a race against time to prevent a group of Russian spies from acquiring American nuclear intelligence. A thrilling shootout on the USS Navajo ensues, with the Russian spies attempting to escape on a boat rigged to explode.
In the end, the joint task force's efforts prevent a major intelligence leak, and they are rewarded with the formation of a permanent task force operating in Australia. Despite their initial reluctance to work together, JD and Mackey are ordered to lead this new task force, setting the stage for future episodes.
"Gone Fission" is a gripping start to NCIS: Sydney, showcasing the challenges and complexities of international cooperation in the face of espionage and political intrigue. The episode expertly blends action, suspense, and character development, laying the groundwork for a series that promises to be as engaging as its predecessors.