“Humbug,” NCIS Season 22, Episode 9, aired December 16, 2024. Its official premise puts a decorated Marine—not Torres—at the center of a Christmas-season crisis: a tell-all book threatens the Marine’s legacy, and the team must uncover the truth before it is published. The available episode summary does not establish how much Torres drives the story, so this review keeps that distinction clear.
What happens in “Humbug”?
CBS describes a race to uncover the truth about a decorated Marine before a shocking tell-all reaches shelves and damages the Marine’s reputation. The network frames the stakes as a possible “holiday disaster” and a chance for the team to deliver a holiday miracle. That is the confirmed premise; it does not reveal the book’s claims or how the case is resolved.
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The episode is directed by Lionel Coleman and written by Christopher J. Waild, according to Rotten Tomatoes’ episode listing. Its credited cast includes Wilmer Valderrama as Nick Torres, alongside Sean Murray as Timothy McGee, Brian Dietzen as Jimmy Palmer, and Diona Reasonover as Kasie Hines.
Does Torres bring the Christmas spirit?
The title’s Torres-forward angle is a reasonable way to frame a review, but it should not be mistaken for the official setup. CBS’s synopsis neither names Torres nor identifies him as the episode’s central holiday figure. Without a scene-by-scene account, it is not possible to say reliably how much he shapes the case or how the Christmas theme plays out in individual moments.
#1 Best Overall
What can be said from the published descriptions is that “Humbug” pairs an investigation about a Marine’s public legacy with a Christmas deadline. Whether Torres supplies the episode’s defining warmth, humor, or emotional turn is a judgment that depends on the episode itself, not the synopsis alone.
Is the episode any good?
Reception listings point to positive reviews, but the small number of available critic ratings is not evidence of broad consensus. Rotten Tomatoes lists three critic reviews, including these ratings:
Rank #2
| Outlet | Reviewer and date | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| CBR | December 18, 2024 | 8/10 |
| TV Fanatic | Lisa Babick, December 17, 2024 | 4.5/5 |
CBR called the episode “the quintessential Christmas episode of a TV show, and that’s a compliment.” That is one critic’s assessment, not an official description. TV Fanatic’s rating is also favorable; the two scores use different scales and should not be combined into an invented average.
My measured verdict from these listings: “Humbug” looks like a promising seasonal entry for viewers who enjoy a holiday framework around an NCIS investigation. The published premise and limited critic response support that cautious recommendation, but not a claim that Torres alone makes the episode work.
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Rank #3
- Genre: TV Action & Adventure
- Number of Discs: 4
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 630
- Number of Movies: 0
Where can you watch “Humbug”?
CBS says U.S. Paramount+ subscribers can stream the episode. Rotten Tomatoes also lists Paramount+ for streaming and Fandango as a purchase option. Availability varies by location and may change, so check the services in your territory for current access.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Episode details
- Series: NCIS
- Episode: “Humbug,” Season 22, Episode 9
- Original air date: December 16, 2024
- Runtime: 43 minutes
- Rating: TV-14 V, L
These runtime and rating details are listed by CBS; the TV-14 descriptors are violence and language.
Rank #4
- Genre: TV Action & Adventure
- Number of Discs: 6
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 934
- Rating: NR
Sources: CBS episode listing; Rotten Tomatoes episode and critic listings.
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