“NCIS” season 17, episode six, titled “Institutionalized,” fell flat for a lot of viewers. In a Reddit discussion, fans said they had a tough time getting into this episode, saying Kasie wasn’t compelling as the lead character. Although producers wanted to put the spotlight on a character we don’t see featured often, it wasn’t a satisfying experience for some fans. Here’s what viewers had to say on Reddit.

Fans said Kasie should be left in the background

Diona Reasonover as Kasie Hines in NCIS | Michael Yarish/CBS via Getty Images

Although season 17, episode six was meant to be emotional, some fans were disappointed with Reasonover’s performance. They said they didn’t like her character at the center of most of the scenes. “I usually fast forward through all of Kasie’s scenes, and I am not feeling this at all. I guess they are trying to give us “character development” on a character I don’t care for. She was OK working for Ducky, but not taking over a major role IMHO,” said one fan.

Viewers thought Kasie’s episode was ‘bland’ and ‘predictable’

Emily Wickersham as NCIS Special Agent Eleanor “Ellie” Bishop and Diona Reasonover as Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines | Erik Voake/CBS via Getty Images

Others felt Kasie’s episode was quite bland compared to the last couple of seasons. Another complaint was that the episode was predictable. One fan said he even knew Bishop would call Kasie and save the day. “Yeah, this was as bland an episode of “NCIS” as we have gotten in at least 2-3 seasons. There was just nothing there. It was completely predictable, down to being able to say, ‘And now is when Bishop finds the phone call that saves the day,’ a couple of minutes before she found it.”

Fans say they want Abby back on “NCIS”

Emily Wickersham, Pauley Perrette, and Brian Dietzen | Robert Voets/CBS via Getty Images

For some fans, Kasie’s episode just made them miss Abby (Pauley Perrette) even more. Perrette has been gone since 2018, but she is still a favorite among longtime viewers. Quite a few Redditors said they wished Abby would return to the show. However, Perrette has made it very clear she has no plans to return. Fans say Kasie is just another quirky character and that the “NCIS” producers should have used Abby’s departure as an opportunity to introduce a personality that viewers don’t usually see. “I feel like they went wrong making her the prototypical dorky brainy character that every show has to have. They could’ve used Abby leaving to give us something completely new but instead just gave us a more quirky Abby,” said a fan. “I miss Abby,” added another fan.

Others say this was the worst “NCIS” season 17 episode so far

Another fan said “NCIS” season 17, episode six is likely the worst episode so far. Others agreed, saying it would have been better if this episode was aired during a different week. This fan is happy Kasie’s moment in the spotlight is over (at least for now). “I suppose there had to be a Kasie-centered episode at some point. I’m glad it’s over with. It was a rather bland episode. They should have saved it for right before a week when they weren’t airing an episode or something.”

Read more: ‘NCIS’: Season 17, Episode 6: Kasie’s Best Friend Is Accused of Murder

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