Some readers of this blog may have noticed that recently we’ve been more critical of some episodes of the original NCIS episodes staring Mark Harmon. At the same time, the launch of NICS NOLA has brought us some excellent shows, and we mentioned them in the conclusion of our critiques of Harmon’s shows. In fact, for the last two weeks we’ve featured the New Orleans show because we enjoyed those the best. Having both shows on Tuesday nights gives us that option. We found it compelling that tonight Mark Harmon, as Leroy Jethro Gibbs, devoted much of “Cabin Fever” to intervening in the life of FBI agent Tobias Fornell. Fornell was sinking into drink and depression after the untimely death of his wife Diane, who had also been married to Gibbs. She was killed by Sergei Mishnev the Russian/Palestinian, who we discovered tonight was the half-brother to Ziva David’s half-brother Ari. So tonight’s show dealt with interventions and family feuds.
Likewise, NCIS NOLA dealt with family issues and an intervention of a type as Agent Duane Pride’s father Cassius urges his son to write a supportive letter to help the elder Pride receive favorable consideration before the parole board. In that show, the family issue becomes intertwined with the murder of a Navy Petty officer, involved with jewel thieves. Agent Pride discovers that his imprisoned father has manipulated Pride’s daughter to visit her grandfather in prison.
Both were good shows, but the winner is … “Cabin Fever.” Gibbs defies Director Vance and takes Fornell to a remote cabin to sober him up and encourage him. Was anyone else surprised when the Russian Counsel tipped Sergei Mishnev on where to find Gibbs and Fornell? Wow what an ending. Here’s the ethical question. If Gibbs removed the bullets from the unconscious Mishnev’s gun without telling Fornell, was Fornell justified in shooting Misnev in self-defense? Now Gibbs and Fornell have even more in common. Both agents have shot and killed the man that killed their respective wives. Gibbs couldn’t have done Fornell a greater favor, and the nation as well. At least one crazy terrorist won’t kill anyone else.
Be Blessed, Diane and David Munson
I feel that NCIS NOLA is getting better but needs to branch to more non-murder based episodes.
Still not really liking Bishop.
Bishop still does not fit, I am wondering if all the under cover questions last week are leading to an exit for her? Cote said in an interview in the last month that she was open to a return but it was up to cbs.
Both NCIS and NCIS NOLA were good but I agree, NCIS was better. In fact, at one point I commented to hubby that they must have moved some of the writers from NCIS to NCIS NOLA because there was some unnecessary intimations in the second show, something that has not been present in prior episodes.
I totally missed the connection of Gibbs and Fornell having both now killed the man that killed their respective wives. It makes sense for the storyline. I am beginning to get the feeling that loose ends are being wrapped up and soon we will be hearing that this is the last season for NCIS.
Sadly, the one crazy terrorist who won’t kill anyone else was a work of fiction. The real world is much different; there are crazy terrorists among us, and their killing days may just be beginning.
As a lawyer and human being I was appalled that Fornell executed Sergei!
This was completely illegal. In the USA our law enforcement does NOT act as judge, jury and executioner. Arrest him, lock him up then have a trial…either a bench trial or jury trial. We do NOT execute criminals in America. It’s what separates us from these terrorists.
Sure it’s fictional but this show about Naval Enforcement officers should have ethics.
Very disappointed that you treat murder as making a good show. You two are blinded by the blue eyed silver fox.
I my self have thought it was possible that the plot was messed up on NCIS yankee white episode yet as I have thoughtbthisbisbwhat I have came to. Tobias Fornell and Gibbs did not know one another and after that episode Fornell meet Diane and got married and the. Had the kid and then divorced and Gibbs and Tobias became friends as they time frame would put it 3-5 years or more between the first episode and when Tobias and Gibbs show their friendship as also when it shows Emily in her first appearance she is a young kid. So the evidence is there but you have to look deeper and think of it as a real life timeline.