First things first. Are we the only ones who suspect Special Agent Timothy McGee phoned Park Police Officer Burt and warned him that he should bring Abby some black roses before the two months was up?
Compared to some of the recent episodes of NCIS, Semper Fortis (meaning ‘aways brave’) was more low keyed. How did it compare to other episodes? Did the writer’s do a better job, an average job, or did they drop the ball in this episode? Do you wonder where we are going with these questions? We discovered tonight’s script wasn’t written by the usual writers. It was written by two assistant writers, and this was their debut episode.
These two writers discovered an anomaly in the law that results in members of the Navy Medical Corp being uncertified outside of the Navy, while Corp men and women from Army and Air Force are certified. They got permission to write this episode featuring this problem. We think they did a pretty good job. We like to see heroes at work. Anna Dillon, the Medic, is saved from prosecution through Gibbs’ insistence, with the help of a somewhat mysterious lawyer, obviously from Gibbs’ past. This was another chance for Mark Harmon, who plays Leroy Jethro Gibbs to demonstrate his quiet but firm compassionate side.
The legal analysis was a bit thin from our viewpoint, and the sergeant for the Fairfax County Sheriff’s office seemed overeager to nail the hospital corpsman. Having lived in Fairfax County when we worked in D.C., we know the professionalism displayed by these officers. Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo seemed at the top of his game tonight and we do hope this Tony is back to stay. Bishop is growing on us as the actress tries so hard to be a credible addition to this stellar team. We are looking forward to seeing how her character develops when her husband appears in next week’s show.
We caught the NCIS New Orleans show too. We may have to start critiquing that show, as it is well written and strong. Lucas Black shines in the role Special Agent Christopher LaSalle, and tonight he showed amazing courage in saving a friend from a terrorist attack by drug cartels.
Be Blessed, Diane and David Munson
Wouldn’t the “Good Samaritan” laws of most states have protected to the former corpsman?
Not really an exciting episode, especially when compared to NOLA.
Can I ask US legal experts, is it a crime to render first aid to victims in the US or any particular state before the EMS/Medical people arrive?
These have been interesting comments about ‘Good Samaritan’ laws. It’s true that most/all states have them, as the states and not the federal government are responsible for the laws in each of their states. We are hopeful that this episode would not discourage any good Samaritans from acting to help a person at a time of need. David received an award from DEA for pulling a man from his burning car after the man rear ended the DEA car David was driving. What David didn’t do was to perform a tracheotomy. We believe it was that invasive procedure performed by the former medic, that violated the law. Let’s face it. Most of us might muster sufficient courage to help, but we lack the ability to do invasive things. We agree with jiesheng. NCISNO was the better of the two, this week.
Even so, the girl in the episode was not intentionally aiming to practice medicine without a licence and definitely not for monetary gain or self gain.
I think Eleanor made the phone call about the flowers.
It might be that Sallie is correct. Bishop could be more attuned to these things, than McGee.
I think Bishop will surprise us all. I think she is such an interesting character. It’s a great cultural study to me, watching the young uns trying to integrate with us older folk. Remember when we did it some 30 or 40 years ago? No one had any hope for us :D
Thank you Mary, for this insightful observation.
Public outcry can and has overturn charges/convictions. I like to think that even if Gibbs hadn’t worked his magic the outcry, that I am sure the parents of the survivors would have helmed, would have done something. Or at least I would hope people would have done the right thing.