2012 May 15 NCIS Critique of “Till death do us Part”

Posted on by
5

2012 May 15 NCIS Critique of “Till death do us Part”
It’s finally finished. Or is it? Last night’s episode of NCIS was the last in a series of four shows involving Harper Dearing, which conclude the 9th Season. Was it tied up neatly in a package? No! Ducky is left on a beach, mortally ill, with Jimmy presumably married. How will he fit in with the rest of the unmarried team that is held together by their singleness?
The writer, Gary Glasberg, serves up lots of excitement in this “four arc” run. He started with a thread of faulty wiring that could have been caused by our enemies or by greedy contractors to weaken our fleet. In the end, Glasberg uses misdirection to cast suspicion on Dr. Ryan (Jamie Lee Curtis), and even Vance with his disappearance, to finally conclude the show with a bomb placed in Vance’s car by a vengeful father to blow up NCIS headquarters.
Wow! Ducky, played superbly by David McCallum, is a lonely figure dressed in his tuxedo, walking on the beach. The wide expanse of the ocean magnifies his aloneness. Then he receives a phone call on his cell and there is no doubt he hears of the horrific explosion at NCIS Headquarters. His reaction after learning the news happens in something like slow motion. His face contorts and he drops to the sand. This scene caps off what is so brilliant about NCIS. The characters are a family to each other and they seem like part of our family as viewers. In the midst of their exciting and dangerous jobs, they are people who miss at love, hurt when the others hurt, and annoy one another with odd quirks. Yet, they hang together.
No one wants Ducky to be gone! As we wrote last week, we understand David McCallum has signed a contract to be on the show for another two years. That being said, we will be sitting on the edge of our seats for Season 10’s opener. Another high point occurs when Jimmy tells his bride-to-be that he wants to be married immediately so that he can rejoin his NCIS family and help them in their time of need. Her response is priceless—she wants to marry him because he is the kindest man in the world. She cares nothing for a big wedding.
Besides Ducky’s survival, several questions remain to be resolved in the fall. Will Dearing be caught before he takes out more people? Are any of the other NCIS “family members” going to be off the show? And of course, Dr. Samantha Ryan beat feet when the maniac comes too close to her son. She may go into permanent hiding or she may work from an “undisclosed location”.
Either way, we are not going away with our blog. Join us all summer long for fun weekly postings about Gibbs’ rules, tidbits from the actors’ lives, and our personal views on cases happening in the news. We may feature a contest or two involving our new release, which will be out soon.
In the words of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, if you did not like this show or any of them leading up this the finale, there will be no apologies. His rule: Never apologize as it is a sign of weakness. What rule number is it and which actor first said it? Comments please by Saturday, May 19th, here at our blog: http://DianeAndDavidMunson.com/blog. Anyone who gets it right will be entered in a drawing for “The Joshua Covenant”, our thriller that released in January of this year.
Here is an interesting fact: NCIS starts filming for Season 10 in July. Now that’s not too far off, is it?
Be Blessed,
Diane and David

2012 May 08 NCIS Critique of “Up in Smoke”

Posted on by
5

Psy Ops anyone? NCIS writers are setting off many fireworks this season, with four episodes relating directly to each other. “Rekindled” lit the fuse, revealing how Tony’s saving a child from a burning building leads to him becoming a Baltimore cop. In “Playing with Fire”, the explosive plot continues where Leroy Jethro Gibbs leads the team to stop the monster who sets fires on Navy ships using thermite. Ducky is so moved when a decorated lieutenant is killed that he changes his will leaving his estate to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. Such tender moments in the midst of death and pain keep us and other viewers watching the highest rated show on TV.
The latest episode, “Up In Smoke”, volleys smoke down a long and tortuous hall of mirrors. The microchip in Dorneget’s tooth seems like a total red herring, but is it? How will the replica of Gibbs’ boat, Kelly figure in to the resolution? Dr. Ryan doodled a boat on a paper napkin, later showing Gibbs a drawing made by her son. Okay, is her son one and the same as Dearing’s departed son? How deep is the connection between Ryan and Dearing?
We viewers are left with a myriad of questions that may or may not be resolved in the May 15th finale, “Til Death Do Us Part.” Gibbs conveys our angst with Dr. Ryan as he questions her original tip, asking why she can’t ever be a regular person. Mr. Gibbs, you are beginning to catch on. In the recent episode, Director Vance is missing, perhaps even kidnapped. No doubt, the finale will be a blast and we plan to catch every clue in solving this tinderbox of Navy ships, Navy families, and Naval Criminal Investigators. Will Vance return or will NCIS have a new Director next season? It is up to Gibbs to solve this complex web of deceit, Phantom 8, microchips, and exploding Navy ships. Remember the ship Cape Fear blew up just as Navy personnel raced up in a rubber boat? We wonder if this is all connected somehow. What do you think?
Be Blessed,
Diane and David

2012 May 1 NCIS Critique of “Playing With Fire”

Posted on by
6

After airing reruns, NCIS finally presents viewers with exceptional drama. The well written and produced episode, “Playing with Fire,” has Mark Harmon in top form tracking terrorists. How fabulous to see NCIS Special Agents doing what they really do aboard Navy ships. Many of you may feel as David does. Too many good novels and NCIS shows depend upon prequels and sequels, which makes it hard when episodes do not run in order. A summary of past events preceded tonight’s episode: A vendor is furnishing the government with faulty and dangerous electrical wiring, creating explosions on Navy ships.
As usual these NCIS co-workers who’ve become family to each other, are sticking their noses into each other’s business. McGee’s seasickness on the USS Brewer makes us laugh, as does Tony’s constant poking into Ziva’s weekend plans. Ducky asserting Gibbs drinks “tea dust” is a hoot. Tony and Ziva’s trip to Italy raises the stakes as another Special Agent puts his life on the line. When an innocent lieutenant dies, that is no laughing matter. As we write this blog, our country’s finest soldiers are in harm’s way across the globe. Our prayers go out for them and their families.
Ducky is also concerned. The dead sailor’s children haunt him and he wants to create a fund for their college. His exact plans are left hazy. Perhaps the writers are saving a surprise. Suspense escalates in the final two scenes. It is eerie when Gibbs is cleaning his gun to Abby shuffling into the lab. His rushing out foreshadow his mission to exact justice. Then he hustles into the squad room where everyone is standing. Making Harper Dearing the most wanted, Gibbs won’t stop until he stops Dearing’s mad pursuit to kill.
The how and why may be revealed next week. Stay tuned.
Be Blessed,
Diane and David

Critique of 4/25/12 NCIS – “Housekeeping”

Posted on by
Reply

This episode first appeared on January 3, 2012, but the producers chose to rebroadcast it again. Last week’s episode hinted that there is more intrigue to come, about the “phantom eight” secret group. This must mean that there will be more during the remaining episodes of season twelve. When we wrote this review upon it’s airing in January, we dubbed it “Cold Leftovers.” Just as we’d been eating Holiday remnants in January, it seems the writers also cleaned out their fridge, lumping together odd chunks of this and that, tossing together a casserole from last year’s leftovers. Yuck! The main meal they served tasted bland. Mark Harmon playing Gibbs was seriously off his game with E.J. Barrett stalking into the picture again.
Her return to end the microchip caper resembled tepid milk toast and we hope the sneaky federal agent is out of Tony’s life for good. Yet this episode placed SecNav in a bad light and he arranged a car for E.J., so she may return. She did provide Tony with food for thought when she lobbed this zinger: “Ziva cares about you.” That got Tony’s mental gears turning. Just as he set a tantalizing tidbit before Ziva, sharing how he was glad she was “in his life,” she received a telephone call after eight long weeks from her Ray. Remember the CIA agent who was called to Tel Aviv and handed her an empty box as a promise for their future to come?
There were a few spicy appetizers to pick from. The female witness with red hair holding a cat to match was so like witnesses to a crime. She couldn’t remember if the SUV was blue, green, or gold. Diane got a hoot out of her as Diane is a firm lover of cats, big and small. David laughed when Ziva told this witness not to call the dead Captain’s wife until she could ascertain “what car she drives and what kind of shot she is.” The unkempt condition of the safe house, with its old pizza box, was a metaphor for Tony and E.J.’s lives since they’d last seen each other.
Finally the dessert offered up tasted rich and yummy. As the microchip fiend closed in on Tony and E.J., sending off a shoulder-fired missile, David knew instantly that Sec/Nav had been used to supply the wrong location for the safe house. That carefully crafted plot twist was as good as any dark chocolate tart whipped up by an executive chef.
We would love to hear how you rate last night’s show. Just like the NCIS marathons, we found as week watched “Housekeeping” for a second time, that we enjoyed it even more. Funny how you spotted more clues.
Be Blessed,
Diane and David

Critique of 2012 Apr 17 NCIS – “Rekindled”

Posted on by
8

Michael Weatherly lit a fire as the Special Agent investigating an arson/murder at United Equinox (UE). A new character, Jason King, bursts onto the scene having met Tony in his Baltimore days, twenty years ago. The who, what, when, where, and why of their meeting makes for interesting speculation as the two men mix like oil and water. Jason is the Baltimore Police Officer in charge of tracking down the warehouse fire, while Tony is involved because a Classified Navy document is partially burned in the fire. UE’s owner doesn’t like McGee’s “geekness.” Oh really? When the guy’s employee, Carter Plimpton, is burned to a crisp and all the owner cares about is some techie invading his space, NCIS needs to watch him carefully. One true statement does leave the owner’s lips as he reminds us, “Classified is not equal to Top Secret.” So how does that clue further the story? The lies he tells spark faster than the fake fire on the ship. UE did provide faulty wiring to the Navy and someone wants this known. But who is the “someone”?
Jason and Tony ratchet up the eye laser tag until we discover Jason is carrying the bitterness of a nine-year-old boy. Although Tony risked his life to save Jason from a fire, he couldn’t save Jason’s little sister. The investigation into the Navy documents heats up when “Phantom 8” is revealed. Our wheels began turning and it didn’t take long for us to recognize some faces in the photo and to declare, “The microchip!”
Okay, remember when the NCIS agent was killed and E.J. Barrett dug a microchip out of his wrist down in autopsy? So the writers are taking us back to the first episode in Season 9. Next week’s show may put any number of weird characters in the hot seat to resolve the continuing terror plot. Is the crazed arsonist in the orange jump suit behind the scheme? Or did the explosive sales rep burn her neck simply to create an alibi?
Gibbs helps Tony deal with not saving Jason’s sister when he says, “You tried to help. Others didn’t.” Another cool moment is when Tony suggests Abby and Jason have found out something in the lab. Seconds later, Abby phones and asks Gibbs to rush to the lab. Is Tony getting a sixth sense, like Gibbs? Rumor has it Mark Harmon is negotiating a new four-year contract. We wonder if Tony’s premonition about Abby is the writers way of skillfully working Tony into position to fill Gibbs’ shoes. What do you think?
We are staying tuned for next week! Be Blessed,
Diane and David

4/10/12 NCIS Critique for “The Missionary Position”

Posted on by
3

Each week we prepare our critique for CBS’ weekly episode of NCIS examining the show through our filter of experience in federal law enforcement—David’s as a former Special Agent with NCIS and DEA and Diane’s as an attorney and former Federal Prosecutor. At times we are so impressed by the writers and producer that we write mostly praise. The most recent episode does not easily fit into that category. The very title, “The Missionary Position,” appears to be a twisted effort to sound risqué. The title, so loosely tied to actual facts of the episode, seems as tacky as Jimmy’s tuxedo. The horrendous blue and pink number foreshadows the creepy show to come. Diane imagines Alice dropping down a rabbit hole, but Cartagena is no Wonderland.

The writers reveal the CIA is using a missionary group as cover. Not really immunizing villagers near Cartagena, Colombia, the CIA is extracting blood to map the DNA of drug cartel members. Instead of offering a solid and believable plot, the writers interject a romantic role for Doc Ryan (Jamie Lee Curtis) that eats up precious screen time. Monique is the biggest part of the “shtick” element. The camera films her to heighten the goofiness. When Ziva, Tony, and the Navy chaplain share coffee with Monique, (former Interpol officer who is to Ziva “the big sister I never had”) at an outdoor café, her face appears huge as she warns, “We are in trouble.” Oh really? By then we already see the cartel killer blasting his automatic weapon. Is Monique the Cheshire Cat with her phony grin? Then who is Alice? Ziva?

Tony is so right to criticize Monique to Gibbs. Thank you, Tony for giving us a shred of realism. The Navy chaplain inserting herself into the case to help find Commander Wade, the missing Navy chaplain, due to guilt over not taking the assignment herself is feeble. In the real NCIS, Gibbs would never allow her to accompany Tony and Ziva to Colombia. Also, he would nix the operation until he was more confident about Monique. Ziva vouches for her though, being blinded to her faults. Gibbs is irritated by Doc Ryan’s continual head games, but he plays along.

After flirting with failed leads and relationships in the episode, Tony and Ziva find Commander Wade. In an off-scene event, Tony and Ziva force the CIA officers to blow up the building that served as Wade’s prison. We surmise with Doc Ryan being added, the writers had no time to show the viewers what really happened.

The most realistic of the supporting characters is the DEA/FBI informant who acts as a mule for the cartel while informing to the federal agencies. Also, Commander Wade’s challenge coin is similar to one we just received at a book signing on Saturday from a Chaplain, asking us to pray for our troops. This is an interesting connection, and a powerful reminder. Our bottom line: Jimmy, find a new tux; Jethro, find a new girlfriend; and Tony, keep growing your character. You may fill Gibbs’ shoes yet.

Be Blessed,

Diane and David Munson

4/3/12 Rebroadcast of “Newborn King” – NCIS critique

Posted on by
Reply

This critique was first featured on this blog on December 13, 2011, when the episode first ran. “Newborn King” is a wonderful title to herald in the Christmas season. The show contained many references to the birth of Christ, without showing the Nativity directly. We enjoyed it immensely. David chuckled at the initial comment by the hotel clerk when the Navy Commander came looking for a room: “We have no room in the Inn.” Sound familiar?
The plot about Russians trying to chase down the soon-to-be born infant was similar to King Herod trying to find Jesus and kill him. Tony calling Palmer “Tiny Jim” was a hoot. Plus, Palmer’s future father-in-law made for a crusty modern-day Scrooge. The clever writing gave us lots of parallels to watch for.
Did we miss something, or did they leave a loose end? The fight between Ziva and the Russian was spectacular. Last we saw, she had the guy in a strangle hold, yet they didn’t return to Ziva after the birth of the little girl, who the Marine mother was certain was going to be a boy. That part differed from the birth of Christ, but the rest was close. The reason she had to have a girl? There is only one “Newborn King”.
The ending scene wove in complex issues of family, belonging, and how to balance life and career as an NCIS agent. Tony is searching for meaning in his life as are so many people during this time of year. When his former girlfriend sent him a card inviting him to Christmas Day brunch, he tacked that up, hoping to get feedback from Tim and Ziva. With a beautiful Christmas tree as a backdrop, Special Agents McGee and David are all smiles and encouragement. But Tony is reluctant to spend time with a woman who married and divorced someone else.
On Christmas morning, he shows up in Gibbs’ basement, looking for answers. His boss and pseudo-father, while adjusting a snazzy bike for Mike Frank’s granddaughter, offers him wise instruction when he says, “Don’t be like me. And Tony, you won’t find what you’re looking for down here.” How true. Having known a week or so before that Tony would need somewhere to be, Gibbs invites his “son” to spend Christmas with him and what is left of Franks’ family. This tender scene brought tears to Diane’s eyes.
Many of us have had times in life when our moorings slip away and we become adrift. There is an answer. The Creator of life has given us breath and a life to live. He also gave us the greatest gift ever given, the baby Jesus. This gift is ours for the taking. Hold out your hands, open your hearts, and ask the Heavenly King to bring you peace, joy, and eternal life.
Let us know what you think.
Blessings to all,
David and Diane

2012 Mar 27, Critique of “The Good Son”

Posted on by
3

We give two thumbs up to this NCIS episode, “The Good Son”. The sizzling plot turned out to be a nail biter, one so well written that the resolve fooled even the most astute viewer. Diane points out that in many episodes the development of suspects are predictable: The writers show the viewers two or three suspects, and the viewer can usually discard the first one introduced, and sometimes, the second one as well. In fact David often looks up at the clock and if the program has ten minutes left, he says, “Okay that must be the culprit.” Not so tonight. After we conclude that the first suspect, Leon’s brother-in-law Michael, could not be the suspect, we find out differently.

The viewers should have known from Jackie’s reaction to having her brother come into the house with Leon that she understood Michael only too well and more completely than did her husband. Poor Leon. His efforts to rehabilitate Michael ended up being thrown in his face. Jackie was right. Her other instincts were correct too. When DiNozzo and Gibbs began to handcuff Michael in front of her children, David gasped and exclaimed, “Not in front of the kids! That is rule number fifty three.” Jackie rightly told the agents to take Michael outside to handcuff him and they did. When David was a young agent he arrested a defendant in the presence of the defendant’s wife and children. He never forgot the weeping, wailing, and pain it caused for those kids. He never again cuffed a prisoner in front of the family.

Wasn’t the ending touching? Leon offered to play the xBox game with his son and then gave him a hug.

Also, consider who was the “Good Son”? The banter among the team members about Gibbs’ comments on Tony’s evaluation, “He talks too much in the field.” Tony is rocked by what he considers a real slam by Gibbs. Just when Tony decides not to talk, Gibbs asks him for his opinion, admitting how much he relies on Tony’s instincts. This positive comment lifts Tony to new heights, causing us to wonder what is yet to come for Tony, the son, and Gibbs, the father.

ps: Pauley Perrette (Abby) is forty three years old today, March 27, 2012 – Happy Birthday

Be Blessed,
Diane and David

2012 Mar 20 – “The Tell”

Posted on by
2

In tonight’s episode, Dr. Samantha Ryan (Jamie Lee Curtis) convinced Vance and Gibbs to join her PsyOps (Psychological Operations) group in analyzing a military contractor’s reaction to an assassination attempt on SecNav. Her theory was that as a Psychologist she could “tell” from Mr. Wicke’s physical response to developing revelations of evidence, if he was involved in the blackmail attempt. Ryan insisted she could “tell” from the look in Wicke’s eyes and his body language if he was involved.
In fact, we could “tell” from the very beginning as Gibbs and DiNozzo clumsily followed the Secretary around “acting” as though they were his protection detail, that it was all fake. Instead of walking in front of the Secretary, much of the time they were behind him. Then when an assassin shot the Secretary, Gibbs and DiNozzo busied themselves with making him comfortable, rather than subduing the shooter.
We liked the conflict between Gibbs’ traditional methods of investigating and Ryan’s methods in psychoanalyzing her suspects. Thankfully, in the end, Leroy Jethro Gibbs won out. His instincts reigned supreme, which threw Ryan for a loop. Her image of herself as invincible came crashing down. Even her son Parker knew his mom needed rescuing, as he had drawn a picture of the two of them in a boat sailing away. Gibbs, played brilliantly by Mark Harmon, understood her angst and offered a helping hand.
The most dangerous part of the show was the flirtation between the good doctor and Gibbs, which didn’t go unnoticed by Ziva. She was uncomfortable with the possible changes, even asking Tony if he “believed”. She wasn’t asking about faith exactly, simply referring to belief in things unseen. Hmmm.
Dave thinks Gibbs should stick to redheads, even though he’s had back luck with them. Dave is convinced the good doctor should concentrate on figuring out her life before setting her sights on Gibbs. He was glad Ryan didn’t take Gibbs’ hand and left. She was a fun diversion, but Diane says, “Don’t look for Ryan to return anytime soon.” What do you think? Did anyone recognize Sean Astin the actor from “Lord of the Rings” as Dr. Ryan’s right-hand man?
Next week should be exciting as it features more of Vance and his family. When Gibbs and Vance tangle, fireworks are sure to follow.
Be Blessed,
Diane and David