I have been really enjoying this season of NCIS so far and Tuesday's episode was no exception. The season feels fresh and the cases are interesting. But what's even more, we see our characters dealing with things they haven't dealt with before. Wait, this is called character development! And we also saw that in "The Searchers".
But as always, first a brief recap of the case of this week. Retired Marine Master Sergeant George Hawkins is found dead in his house, and the team discovers he was holding dog tags in his hand while dying. These dog tags belong to a dead Marine Sergeant Kent, whom Hawikins served with in the Viernam war. Sadly, Kent died but his body was never recovered and Hawkins has been searching for it ever since. However, Abby discovers the dog tags are fake and that Hawkins must have known this so it was meant as a message. The team deduces that the dog tags came from a travel agency and they arrest one of the employees. It turns out that he had help from the agency's boss, Todd Price, who got the fake dog tags from Vietnam. Since he traveled to Vietnam because he also has a girlfriend there, Tony and Gibbs take a plane as well and arrest him. They also learn that Kent's body was buried by a boy during the war, and they dig up his body and take it back to his daughter.
Elsewhere, Bishop gets the results of her probie evaluation and it turns out she is a high score of 82 out of 100. She thinks she has done so good because both Tony and McGee only have scores of about 50 to 60. However, she learns from Ducky that Gibbs always gives low scores in order to push his agents and that a high score basically means he doesn't think you're up to it. During the case, she also lets a suspect get away but Gibbs says it's fine. She later confronts Gibbs and he tells her the truth: he lost two people who sat at Bishop's desk and he doesn't want to lose a third one. Therefore, he has been going easy on Bishop since day 1. However, Bishop says she wants to be like the rest of the team so Gibbs assures her that he will go harder on her from now on. That starts with sitting at her desk instead of on the floor.
This was a solid episode. The case fit well with Veterans Day and it was an emotional one to see. What's more, I think this episode showed true character development. It also deals with some of the fans' criticisms from season 11, which is that Gibbs has gotten soft and that he has been going easy on Bishop. I didn't consider the possibility that it had anything to do with Kate and Ziva, but to me it does make sense. The only thing is he can't blame himself for a crazy terrorist shooting Kate and a personal decision made by Ziva. However, the fact that they addressed the issue also indicates that the writers are reading fans' reactions and actively try to do make things right. This was also evident on episode 6 when Ziva's departure was addressed, something that the fans have been complaining about. So I'd like to think that the writers take fan feedback into account and are really doing the best they can to make season 12 satisfying season. Some might call it fan service, but I think more of it as taking fan feedback into consideration.
One thing about the episode that I didn't even mention yet is that Tony was considering adopting a cat that just walked into his life. However, the cat walked out just as easily. It was one of my issues with this episode because the story had no real purpose. It gave us a few nice McNozzo moments and another reference to Kate and Ziva (a.k.a. Tony's goldfish), but there was nothing more to it.
What did you think about this episode? Did you find the case of the week fitting with Veterans Day? How do you feel about Gibbs' and Bishop's interaction and character development? Are you liking it that Gibbs is going hard on Bishop now? Sound off in the comments below!
Here is a LQ promo for the next episode:
About the Author - Daniel
Daniel is a Dutch university student studying Psychology. On SpoilerTV he is a reviewer of NCIS, The 100, Stalker, Madam Secretary and the upcoming shows Battle Creek and Odyssey. He also enjoys LOST, Arrow, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, Nikita, The Blacklist, Scorpion and How To Get Away With Murder.
I also though the Cat storyline went nowhere, but didnt it also reflect his latest antics with women. In this case he probably isnt taking them back to his place, but he is with them briefly then off they go. The fact that he is upset by that probably means something more than just the cat. I think hes really worried he is going to end up alone like the Boss.
It also does kinda make sense about the 3rd spot on the team. Tony has been there well.. for the whole show. McGee has essentially been there for the whole show. Kate came in , then got shot and killed. Ziva came in and left of her own will. So it makes sense that Gibbs is waiting for the other shoe to drop in relation to Bishop.
Fantastic review Daniel, I really enjoyed how this episode paid tribute to Veterans day and as you say I loved the fact that we are starting to get references to Ziva and Kate. This is shaping up to be a great season.
I had mixed feelings about the episode. I liked that the writers were addressing the situation between Gibbs and Bishop. Though there was absolutely no way this was a pre planned exercise and quite obviously as a result of fans' recent opinion. Bishop has changed a lot since last season and I for one am grateful. However, whilst I can understand that Gibbs might unjustly feel responsible for Kate's death and even Ziva leaving, I fail to see what his training of them had to do with it, and would have been much happier if he had said that she reminded him of his daughter, he's certainly come across rather fatherly towards her - for example I couldn't believe it when he held a chair out for her in an episode last year - certainly never seen him do that for Kate or Ziva!
Despite my love of cats - I hated Tony and the whole cat thing. Maybe it was just the way it was executed, but for me it would have felt more at home in an episode of "Friends" rather than "NCIS". It was so "twee" for want of a better word and reminded me of the whole chops and casserole nonsense he came out with last season when Delilah was hurt and McGee needed his support, which I wasn't surprised to note was written by the same writer. Any resemblance between the sympathetic guy who supported Paula when her team died, or even how he supported Tim when he shot the cop in "Probie" was purely coincidence. Now it may be that the writers meant the whole cat thing and its leaving and McGee saying if you love them you have to let them go as subtext for the writers again saying Ziva's gone you have to let her go, which I get, but they did that last week - I don't have to be told again.
I note that Marsiol Nichols is returning as Zoe so I guess Tony's time on his own may be at an end. Whilst I miss Ziva I do want to see Tony with someone but does it have to be a someone quite so like Ziva? I mean she's dark, petite, can certainly kick arse, oh and her name's Zoe! Remind you of anyone?!
I find it quite sad that the writers give these serious, poignant themes to Gibbs, and in this ep, Bishop, but Tony once again gets stuck with the lame comic relief. After twelve seasons on the show, doesn't Michael Weatherly deserve better for his character? I like all the characters but Tony is my favorite, and it's very frustrating to have such a one-time wonderful, multi-layered character wasted on these silly side stories. I did like the storyline with the veterans, as well as Bishop, and it was truly wonderful to have Bishop tell Gibbs that Tony and McGee were amazing agents (wish Gibbs would remember and acknowledge that as well), so the ep had some nice moments as well. I never had any issue with Bishop sitting wherever she wanted, and I like the Probie, and quite honestly I disagree with the idea that Gibbs was too hard on Kate and Ziva, when it was quite the opposite. Bu the scene still had some good drama and I liked Bishop standing up to Gibbs. Nice review.
The cat might indeed have reflected Tony's love life. I agree, he might be afraid to end up alone like Gibbs. He might also be worried that he ends up like his father, who dated woman after woman after the death of his wife. Sure, Tony hasn't seen the big love of his life dying (although various women in his life have died, e.g. Kate, Paula and Jenny), but it might still feel as if he lost her. It's funny how Ducky, Gibbs and Tony all have (had) issues in their respective love lives and yet they all deal with it differently.
Yeah, it certainly does make sense as to that desk. It's ironic that two out of the three main cast departures have had basically the same position/desk in the team.
I agree with you that the Gibbs/Bishop issue was likely not planned in advance but indeed their way of handling with the fans' reactions. Gibbs cannot feel guilty at all about Kate/Ziva as one was murdered and one made a personal decision. I like your theory about Gibbs being more fatherly towards Bishop and I think it would make a lot of sense.
The cat story felt totally redundant, in my opinion. Only meant to show us once again how hurt Tony is and I agree, I don't need to be told again.
Zoe is returning indeed but I'm not sure she is a good fit for Tony. I certainly liked Zoe better than Leia from episode 4 but I am not totally sold on her.
Thank you! I also liked Bishop and Gibbs but Gibbs should not blame himself for something he had no influence on (a.k.a. Kate dying and Ziva leaving). While I agree that Tony needs some serious storylines, I think his jokes and all are his way of dealing with things. It might be immature, but it might be his way of hiding his true feeling and avoiding to talk about them. So at times, he puts his comic relief aside and shows/discusses his true feelings (e.g. with Ziva).
I feel that NCIS doesn't know what to do with Tony anymore. One week he's old playboy Tony, next week he's emotionally maturing Tony, then the next week he's neurotic cat lady Tony? It's like the guy has multiple personality disorder.
You may be right, but it might also be the way Tony is. His clown behaviour might be his way of dealing with things (e.g. Ziva's departure). He's hiding behind his jokes in order to not show his true feelings and talk about them.
If that's true then that's fine but there should be both character progression and consistency from week to week instead of getting a completely new Tony every episode.
I love Tony's humor, and MW is quite deft with this, I guess I just would like some scenes where we also saw the serious side of Tony, like we used to. But I agree, Tony often uses humor to deflect his more serious feelings.
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I also though the Cat storyline went nowhere, but didnt it also reflect his latest antics with women. In this case he probably isnt taking them back to his place, but he is with them briefly then off they go. The fact that he is upset by that probably means something more than just the cat. I think hes really worried he is going to end up alone like the Boss.
ReplyDeleteIt also does kinda make sense about the 3rd spot on the team. Tony has been there well.. for the whole show. McGee has essentially been there for the whole show. Kate came in , then got shot and killed. Ziva came in and left of her own will. So it makes sense that Gibbs is waiting for the other shoe to drop in relation to Bishop.
Fantastic review Daniel, I really enjoyed how this episode paid tribute to Veterans day and as you say I loved the fact that we are starting to get references to Ziva and Kate. This is shaping up to be a great season.
ReplyDeleteI also thought the cat was a parallel with Ziva (or other women) in Tony's life.
ReplyDeleteI had mixed feelings about the episode. I liked that the writers were addressing the situation between Gibbs and Bishop. Though there was absolutely no way this was a pre planned exercise and quite obviously as a result of fans' recent opinion. Bishop has changed a lot since last season and I for one am grateful. However, whilst I can understand that Gibbs might unjustly feel responsible for Kate's death and even Ziva leaving, I fail to see what his training of them had to do with it, and would have been much happier if he had said that she reminded him of his daughter, he's certainly come across rather fatherly towards her - for example I couldn't believe it when he held a chair out for her in an episode last year - certainly never seen him do that for Kate or Ziva!
ReplyDeleteDespite my love of cats - I hated Tony and the whole cat thing. Maybe it was just the way it was executed, but for me it would have felt more at home in an episode of "Friends" rather than "NCIS". It was so "twee" for want of a better word and reminded me of the whole chops and casserole nonsense he came out with last season when Delilah was hurt and McGee needed his support, which I wasn't surprised to note was written by the same writer. Any resemblance between the sympathetic guy who supported Paula when her team died, or even how he supported Tim when he shot the cop in "Probie" was purely coincidence. Now it may be that the writers meant the whole cat thing and its leaving and McGee saying if you love them you have to let them go as subtext for the writers again saying Ziva's gone you have to let her go, which I get, but they did that last week - I don't have to be told again.
I note that Marsiol Nichols is returning as Zoe so I guess Tony's time on his own may be at an end. Whilst I miss Ziva I do want to see Tony with someone but does it have to be a someone quite so like Ziva? I mean she's dark, petite, can certainly kick arse, oh and her name's Zoe! Remind you of anyone?!
I find it quite sad that the writers give these serious, poignant themes to Gibbs, and in this ep, Bishop, but Tony once again gets stuck with the lame comic relief. After twelve seasons on the show, doesn't Michael Weatherly deserve better for his character? I like all the characters but Tony is my favorite, and it's very frustrating to have such a one-time wonderful, multi-layered character wasted on these silly side stories. I did like the storyline with the veterans, as well as Bishop, and it was truly wonderful to have Bishop tell Gibbs that Tony and McGee were amazing agents (wish Gibbs would remember and acknowledge that as well), so the ep had some nice moments as well. I never had any issue with Bishop sitting wherever she wanted, and I like the Probie, and quite honestly I disagree with the idea that Gibbs was too hard on Kate and Ziva, when it was quite the opposite. Bu the scene still had some good drama and I liked Bishop standing up to Gibbs. Nice review.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ben! I am really enjoying this season as well. I also hope we will soon get some episodes focussed on the season-long arc of Sergei.
ReplyDeleteThe cat might indeed have reflected Tony's love life. I agree, he might be afraid to end up alone like Gibbs. He might also be worried that he ends up like his father, who dated woman after woman after the death of his wife. Sure, Tony hasn't seen the big love of his life dying (although various women in his life have died, e.g. Kate, Paula and Jenny), but it might still feel as if he lost her. It's funny how Ducky, Gibbs and Tony all have (had) issues in their respective love lives and yet they all deal with it differently.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it certainly does make sense as to that desk. It's ironic that two out of the three main cast departures have had basically the same position/desk in the team.
I agree with you that the Gibbs/Bishop issue was likely not planned in advance but indeed their way of handling with the fans' reactions. Gibbs cannot feel guilty at all about Kate/Ziva as one was murdered and one made a personal decision. I like your theory about Gibbs being more fatherly towards Bishop and I think it would make a lot of sense.
ReplyDeleteThe cat story felt totally redundant, in my opinion. Only meant to show us once again how hurt Tony is and I agree, I don't need to be told again.
Zoe is returning indeed but I'm not sure she is a good fit for Tony. I certainly liked Zoe better than Leia from episode 4 but I am not totally sold on her.
Thank you! I also liked Bishop and Gibbs but Gibbs should not blame himself for something he had no influence on (a.k.a. Kate dying and Ziva leaving). While I agree that Tony needs some serious storylines, I think his jokes and all are his way of dealing with things. It might be immature, but it might be his way of hiding his true feeling and avoiding to talk about them. So at times, he puts his comic relief aside and shows/discusses his true feelings (e.g. with Ziva).
ReplyDeleteI feel that NCIS doesn't know what to do with Tony anymore. One week he's old playboy Tony, next week he's emotionally maturing Tony, then the next week he's neurotic cat lady Tony? It's like the guy has multiple personality disorder.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right, but it might also be the way Tony is. His clown behaviour might be his way of dealing with things (e.g. Ziva's departure). He's hiding behind his jokes in order to not show his true feelings and talk about them.
ReplyDeleteIf that's true then that's fine but there should be both character progression and consistency from week to week instead of getting a completely new Tony every episode.
ReplyDeleteI love Tony's humor, and MW is quite deft with this, I guess I just would like some scenes where we also saw the serious side of Tony, like we used to. But I agree, Tony often uses humor to deflect his more serious feelings.
ReplyDelete