Posted 7:30 AM by Gerald So
I think the show is well done enough. Kyle Schmid, Austin Stowell, and Robert Taylor bring their well-known characters to life.
I'm not sure we need a darker NCIS set in a bygone era. NCIS: ORIGINS replaced NCIS: HAWAII but hasn't done as well as HAWAII in the ratings. I think Gibbs' story was told thoroughly enough in the nineteen seasons Mark Harmon starred in NCIS. Obviously CBS disagrees.
Showing posts with label NCIS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NCIS. Show all posts
Monday, November 04, 2024
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
NCIS: HAWAII Canceled After Three Seasons
Posted 2:00 AM by Gerald So
Embed from Getty Images
NCIS: HAWAII had been CBS's last show on the bubble. Ratings-wise it seemed to have a good chance of returning. It was an expensive show, but the producers had agreed to budget cuts. The strikes and Paramount Global being up for sale may have been factors. I think CBS should have renewed it instead of ordering a Gibbs prequel and a Tony-and-Ziva spinoff, maybe instead of un-canceling S.W.A.T.
NCIS: HAWAII was the first with a female lead, but it stood out to me for its portrayal of lesbian couple Lucy Tara and Kate Whistler, unconditionally supported by their colleagues, a dynamic no other NCIS nor other broadcast crime show had. That said, because the NCIS franchise remains entrenched at CBS, HAWAII's cancellation stings less than other shows'. Members of the Hawaii team could move to the mothership as Sam Hanna moved from canceled NCIS: LOS ANGELES to HAWAII.
Embed from Getty Images
NCIS: HAWAII had been CBS's last show on the bubble. Ratings-wise it seemed to have a good chance of returning. It was an expensive show, but the producers had agreed to budget cuts. The strikes and Paramount Global being up for sale may have been factors. I think CBS should have renewed it instead of ordering a Gibbs prequel and a Tony-and-Ziva spinoff, maybe instead of un-canceling S.W.A.T.
NCIS: HAWAII was the first with a female lead, but it stood out to me for its portrayal of lesbian couple Lucy Tara and Kate Whistler, unconditionally supported by their colleagues, a dynamic no other NCIS nor other broadcast crime show had. That said, because the NCIS franchise remains entrenched at CBS, HAWAII's cancellation stings less than other shows'. Members of the Hawaii team could move to the mothership as Sam Hanna moved from canceled NCIS: LOS ANGELES to HAWAII.
Thursday, April 18, 2024
NCIS: "A Thousand Yards"
Posted 5:30 AM by Gerald So
The NCIS franchise marked 1,000 episodes across its five series with a case of the original that deftly recalled its first. I haven't seen all 1,000 episodes nor all 464 of NCIS itself, but I did watch every episode the first seven seasons. In the middle, sameness set in. How many stories could you tell with Gibbs, Tony, Ziva, and McGee after all? I tuned back in when Bishop joined in Season 11, then again when Knight and Parker joined in Season 19.
One reason the show has run 21 going on 22 seasons is the cast changes. Another is the show has always had characters who span generations and personalities—Gibbs the gruff, taciturn leader; Ducky the garrulous grandfather; Tony the quippy man-of-action; McGee the computer geek; Abby the goth—all working together.
As a BONES fan, too, I was happy to see T.J. Thyne this episode in a guest role. I recently caught a Thyne-specific BONES nod in the NCIS Season 14 episode "The Tie that Binds." Fornell's daughter Emily says she has a boyfriend, Jack, studying to be an entomologist.
Embed from Getty Images
The NCIS franchise marked 1,000 episodes across its five series with a case of the original that deftly recalled its first. I haven't seen all 1,000 episodes nor all 464 of NCIS itself, but I did watch every episode the first seven seasons. In the middle, sameness set in. How many stories could you tell with Gibbs, Tony, Ziva, and McGee after all? I tuned back in when Bishop joined in Season 11, then again when Knight and Parker joined in Season 19.
One reason the show has run 21 going on 22 seasons is the cast changes. Another is the show has always had characters who span generations and personalities—Gibbs the gruff, taciturn leader; Ducky the garrulous grandfather; Tony the quippy man-of-action; McGee the computer geek; Abby the goth—all working together.
As a BONES fan, too, I was happy to see T.J. Thyne this episode in a guest role. I recently caught a Thyne-specific BONES nod in the NCIS Season 14 episode "The Tie that Binds." Fornell's daughter Emily says she has a boyfriend, Jack, studying to be an entomologist.
Embed from Getty Images
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
NCIS: SYDNEY "Gone Fission"
© by Gerald So | 4:00 AM
Australian Federal Police Sgt. Jim Dempsey and Constable Evie Cooper (Todd Lasance and Tuuli Narkle) are forced to support NCIS agents Michelle Mackey and DeShawn Jackson (Olivia Swann and Sean Sagar) when an American aubmariner suspiciously falls into Sydney Harbor to his death during an Australian-U.S. ceremony.
First airing on Paramount + and Australia's Network 10, NCIS SYDNEY was slotted into American CBS TV as a contigency plan during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. I've been an NCIS fan from the beginning. After twenty seasons and three spinoffs, it's a tough task to freshen things up, but NCIS: SYDNEY does, with genuinely new territory and younger characters whose futures are more at stake.
"Gone Fission" cut smoothly through the exposition and set up an arc that could carry through the eight-episode season. With the strikes over, NCIS and NCIS: HAWAII will return when that season wraps up.
Australian Federal Police Sgt. Jim Dempsey and Constable Evie Cooper (Todd Lasance and Tuuli Narkle) are forced to support NCIS agents Michelle Mackey and DeShawn Jackson (Olivia Swann and Sean Sagar) when an American aubmariner suspiciously falls into Sydney Harbor to his death during an Australian-U.S. ceremony.
First airing on Paramount + and Australia's Network 10, NCIS SYDNEY was slotted into American CBS TV as a contigency plan during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. I've been an NCIS fan from the beginning. After twenty seasons and three spinoffs, it's a tough task to freshen things up, but NCIS: SYDNEY does, with genuinely new territory and younger characters whose futures are more at stake.
"Gone Fission" cut smoothly through the exposition and set up an arc that could carry through the eight-episode season. With the strikes over, NCIS and NCIS: HAWAII will return when that season wraps up.
Monday, September 25, 2023
David McCallum dies
Posted 10:00 PM by Gerald So
Venerable actor David McCallum, most recently of TV's NCIS, died this morning aged 90. McCallum made a lasting impression on me when he played The Man From UNCLE's Ilya Kuryakin, pairing gravitas with Robert Vaughn's levity and sending the aspirational message that in a time of cold war, agents from all over the world could cooperate for the greater good.
Later his one-of-a-kind presence on NCIS helped the show draw older viewers. I think the secret to the show's success is characters of every generation—Ducky, Gibbs, DiNozzo, McGee, Palmer, Bishop, Kasie—respectfully working together.
Embed from Getty Images
Venerable actor David McCallum, most recently of TV's NCIS, died this morning aged 90. McCallum made a lasting impression on me when he played The Man From UNCLE's Ilya Kuryakin, pairing gravitas with Robert Vaughn's levity and sending the aspirational message that in a time of cold war, agents from all over the world could cooperate for the greater good.
Later his one-of-a-kind presence on NCIS helped the show draw older viewers. I think the secret to the show's success is characters of every generation—Ducky, Gibbs, DiNozzo, McGee, Palmer, Bishop, Kasie—respectfully working together.
Embed from Getty Images
Sunday, January 02, 2022
Short-Term Gratification
© by Gerald So | 3:30 AM
Going into new years, I tend to feel overwhelmed. We just wrapped one up and here we go again. Plus, this year we seem to be treading in a sea of Omicron cases, so I'm taking optimism in the short term.
That's the first month and change of 2022 booked.
Going into new years, I tend to feel overwhelmed. We just wrapped one up and here we go again. Plus, this year we seem to be treading in a sea of Omicron cases, so I'm taking optimism in the short term.
- Tomorrow night NCIS and NCIS: HAWAI'I return from hiatus.
- Tuesday, January 11, SUPERMAN & LOIS Season 2 premieres.
- Friday, February 4, REACHER premieres on Prime Video
That's the first month and change of 2022 booked.
Thursday, October 05, 2017
Pauley Perrette Leaving NCIS
© by Gerald So | 7:30 a.m.
Pauley Perrette, who has played NCIS's forensic scientist Abby Sciuto all fifteen seasons, announced yesterday this will be her final season on the show. Her decision to leave dates back to last season. Showrunners George Schenk and Frank Cardea knew of it, and are planning an appropriate send-off.
In its long run, NCIS has had its share of departures, most notably cast members Sasha Alexander, Michael Weatherly, and Cote de Pablo, and creator Don Bellisario. Abby is probably the character most representative of the show, though, and may be the most difficult to fill in for. To pull that off would be some feat, but it's also an accomplishment that Abby is both goth and serious scientist and has been more or less embraced from the start.
Thank you, Pauley, and best of look on future projects.
Pauley Perrette, who has played NCIS's forensic scientist Abby Sciuto all fifteen seasons, announced yesterday this will be her final season on the show. Her decision to leave dates back to last season. Showrunners George Schenk and Frank Cardea knew of it, and are planning an appropriate send-off.
In its long run, NCIS has had its share of departures, most notably cast members Sasha Alexander, Michael Weatherly, and Cote de Pablo, and creator Don Bellisario. Abby is probably the character most representative of the show, though, and may be the most difficult to fill in for. To pull that off would be some feat, but it's also an accomplishment that Abby is both goth and serious scientist and has been more or less embraced from the start.
Thank you, Pauley, and best of look on future projects.
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Gary Glasberg dies at 50
© by Gerald So | G_SO at YAHOO dot COM | 4:30 A.M.
NCIS showrunner since 2011, Gary Glasberg died unexpectedly in his sleep yesterday. Along with his work on NCIS and NCIS: New Orleans, I'll remember him for Crossing Jordan, Bones, and Shark. By all accounts, he was a kind, insightful, good-humored man. May he rest in peace.
NCIS showrunner since 2011, Gary Glasberg died unexpectedly in his sleep yesterday. Along with his work on NCIS and NCIS: New Orleans, I'll remember him for Crossing Jordan, Bones, and Shark. By all accounts, he was a kind, insightful, good-humored man. May he rest in peace.
Thursday, September 22, 2016
FOX's Lethal Weapon
Matt Miller (of ABC's Forever and NBC's Chuck) is behind the TV adaptation of the Lethal Weapon franchise. The characters are tweaked in ways that seem minor in the pilot: TV's Riggs is a Texan former Navy SEAL whose dead wife is named Miranda. Feature film Riggs was Army Special Forces with a dead wife named Victoria.
Clayne Crawford as Riggs and Damon Wayans as Murtaugh aren't Gibson and Glover, but they are likable enough for me. I had previously seen Crawford on NCIS: New Orleans as LaSalle's bipolar brother, Cade.
Just as the Lethal Weapon movies remain a cut above the Rush Hour movies, TV's Lethal has an edge on CBS's Rush Hour, canceled last season. Its challenge is balancing breakneck action scenes and more leisured scenes, such as those with the Murtaugh family.
Clayne Crawford as Riggs and Damon Wayans as Murtaugh aren't Gibson and Glover, but they are likable enough for me. I had previously seen Crawford on NCIS: New Orleans as LaSalle's bipolar brother, Cade.
Just as the Lethal Weapon movies remain a cut above the Rush Hour movies, TV's Lethal has an edge on CBS's Rush Hour, canceled last season. Its challenge is balancing breakneck action scenes and more leisured scenes, such as those with the Murtaugh family.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Bull: "The Necklace"
© by Gerald So | G_SO at YAHOO dot COM | 9:15 A.M.
I ought to like Bull, the show Michael Weatherly left NCIS for. It has shades of several shows I've liked, three in particular: House, Shark, and Lie to Me. Weatherly plays psychologist and jury analyst Jason Bull, loosely based on Dr. Phil McGraw. In a nutshell, Bull reads people as uncannily well as House diagnosed medical mysteries. He also manipulates them to achieve his ends, more than a little creepy.
It's as early as can be to react to a series, but I worry that playing the mysterious, commanding role of Bull won't allow Michael Weatherly's spontaneous humor to show, the gift that fueled Anthony DiNozzo for thirteen seasons. If I'm right about that, I'm going to have to find reasons to like Bull besides Weatherly. Time will tell if any emerge.
I ought to like Bull, the show Michael Weatherly left NCIS for. It has shades of several shows I've liked, three in particular: House, Shark, and Lie to Me. Weatherly plays psychologist and jury analyst Jason Bull, loosely based on Dr. Phil McGraw. In a nutshell, Bull reads people as uncannily well as House diagnosed medical mysteries. He also manipulates them to achieve his ends, more than a little creepy.
It's as early as can be to react to a series, but I worry that playing the mysterious, commanding role of Bull won't allow Michael Weatherly's spontaneous humor to show, the gift that fueled Anthony DiNozzo for thirteen seasons. If I'm right about that, I'm going to have to find reasons to like Bull besides Weatherly. Time will tell if any emerge.
NCIS New Orleans: "Aftershocks"
© by Gerald So | G_SO at YAHOO dot COM | 5:15 A.M.
Now sooner does Pride's team return from forced leave in the aftermath of John Russo's terror plot do they have to deal with a sniper later discovered to be targeting Russo's accomplices.
A good deal of the episode's emotional weight came from Brody's offscreen decision to quit NCIS, which didn't sit well with Pride and the others. Percy especially saw it as Brody retreating when she was needed most. I might have swallowed it better myself if Zoe McLellan had been in any scenes. Most believable would have been a cold, practical, executive decision to drop Brody due to her involvement with Russo. I have to say, like her debut, Brody's departure was somewhat mishandled.
As bad as I feel about that, if the writers felt the show could do better with a change of character, they had to go that route. I'm onboard to see how Vanessa Ferlito's FBI agent Tammy Gregorio develops and how Season 3 unfolds.
Now sooner does Pride's team return from forced leave in the aftermath of John Russo's terror plot do they have to deal with a sniper later discovered to be targeting Russo's accomplices.
A good deal of the episode's emotional weight came from Brody's offscreen decision to quit NCIS, which didn't sit well with Pride and the others. Percy especially saw it as Brody retreating when she was needed most. I might have swallowed it better myself if Zoe McLellan had been in any scenes. Most believable would have been a cold, practical, executive decision to drop Brody due to her involvement with Russo. I have to say, like her debut, Brody's departure was somewhat mishandled.
As bad as I feel about that, if the writers felt the show could do better with a change of character, they had to go that route. I'm onboard to see how Vanessa Ferlito's FBI agent Tammy Gregorio develops and how Season 3 unfolds.
NCIS: "Rogue"
© by Gerald So | G_SO at YAHOO dot COM | 4:45 A.M.
NCIS's fourteenth season—its first post-DiNozzo—began with a military family being car-bombed due to their relation to NCIS Special Agent Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), whose deep cover has been blown. Meanwhile, Gibbs's rejection of eight agents sent to replace Tony draws out FLETC instructor Alex Quinn (Jennifer Esposito), whom he may have wanted as Tony's replacement all along.
Since Michael Weatherly's January announcement of his departure, I'd been wondering how well NCIS would compensate for the humor and physicality Tony brought to the table. I've liked Jennifer Esposito since Spin City. As Quinn, she has a lot to teach McGee and Bishop, yet still a few things to learn from Gibbs. Torres strikes me as close to Shane Brennan's original vision of Callen in the Season 6 two-parter "Legend", but better executed out of the box.
The episode's most powerful scene was a physical confrontation between Torres—who wanted to go out of NCIS bounds to get revenge for his family—and Gibbs—who gained little if anything from his own act of vengeance.
NCIS can still deliver the goods, including an appearance by now-Captain Bud Roberts (Patrick Labyorteaux), one of the victims' JAG colleagues. In fact, Bud almost tells McGee what Rabb and Mackenzie are up to before Quinn brings him back on point.
NCIS's fourteenth season—its first post-DiNozzo—began with a military family being car-bombed due to their relation to NCIS Special Agent Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama), whose deep cover has been blown. Meanwhile, Gibbs's rejection of eight agents sent to replace Tony draws out FLETC instructor Alex Quinn (Jennifer Esposito), whom he may have wanted as Tony's replacement all along.
Since Michael Weatherly's January announcement of his departure, I'd been wondering how well NCIS would compensate for the humor and physicality Tony brought to the table. I've liked Jennifer Esposito since Spin City. As Quinn, she has a lot to teach McGee and Bishop, yet still a few things to learn from Gibbs. Torres strikes me as close to Shane Brennan's original vision of Callen in the Season 6 two-parter "Legend", but better executed out of the box.
The episode's most powerful scene was a physical confrontation between Torres—who wanted to go out of NCIS bounds to get revenge for his family—and Gibbs—who gained little if anything from his own act of vengeance.
NCIS can still deliver the goods, including an appearance by now-Captain Bud Roberts (Patrick Labyorteaux), one of the victims' JAG colleagues. In fact, Bud almost tells McGee what Rabb and Mackenzie are up to before Quinn brings him back on point.
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Zoe McLellan Leaves NCIS: New Orleans
© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com | 10:45 A.M.
I'm late to the July 26 news that Zoe McLellan's NCIS: New Orleans character, Meredith Brody, won't be returning for Season 3, a creative decision stemming from Brody's Season 2 romantic dalliance with charismatic Homeland Security infiltrator John Russo (Ivan Sergei).
The casting of McLellan, whom I liked as P.O. Jennifer Coates on JAG, was one reason I bought into NCIS: New Orleans. Brody was awkwardly not fleshed out in the backdoor pilot, NCIS two-parter "Crescent City", but a mid-Season 1 episode revealed she was haunted by her twin sister Emily's death. Season 2 introduced her sassy yet secretive mother Olivia (Annie Potts) and uncovered the truth behind Emily's death.
I suppose, as with NCIS's Kate Todd, Season 2 completed Brody's arc and it was a good point at which to write her out. Sonya Percy (Shalita Grant) got off to a faster start than Brody and can fill the female action lead in her absence. Nonetheless, I'll miss Brody and occasionally wonder what might have been.
I'm late to the July 26 news that Zoe McLellan's NCIS: New Orleans character, Meredith Brody, won't be returning for Season 3, a creative decision stemming from Brody's Season 2 romantic dalliance with charismatic Homeland Security infiltrator John Russo (Ivan Sergei).
The casting of McLellan, whom I liked as P.O. Jennifer Coates on JAG, was one reason I bought into NCIS: New Orleans. Brody was awkwardly not fleshed out in the backdoor pilot, NCIS two-parter "Crescent City", but a mid-Season 1 episode revealed she was haunted by her twin sister Emily's death. Season 2 introduced her sassy yet secretive mother Olivia (Annie Potts) and uncovered the truth behind Emily's death.
I suppose, as with NCIS's Kate Todd, Season 2 completed Brody's arc and it was a good point at which to write her out. Sonya Percy (Shalita Grant) got off to a faster start than Brody and can fill the female action lead in her absence. Nonetheless, I'll miss Brody and occasionally wonder what might have been.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
NCIS: "Family First"
© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com | 11:00 P.M.
In the aftermath of an explosion at a safehouse in Tel Aviv, the team learned Ziva David had been killed. This left Tony DiNozzo feeling unmoored, but he found purpose when Mossad revealed he and Ziva had a daughter.
While Tony took the rest of the day off, the others, aided by FBI agent Tess Monroe (Sarah Clarke) and British SIS agent Clayton Reeves (Duane Henry), tracked down old nemesis Trent Cort. Another case in the books, Tony, realizing his priorities had changed, told Gibbs it would be his last.
I liked that the end of Ziva's arc tied into Tony's. I didn't initially believe she hadn't told Tony about their daughter because she wanted to raise the child herself and not disrupt Tony's life. It sounded like an excuse for the revelation's timing, but in Cote de Pablo's Season 11 departure episode, Ziva did rebuff Tony's willingness to leave NCIS to be with her.
I like Monroe and Reeves as potential new team members, but it's hard to imagine Tony won't be stepping off that elevator next season. Cheers and good luck, Michael Weatherly.
In the aftermath of an explosion at a safehouse in Tel Aviv, the team learned Ziva David had been killed. This left Tony DiNozzo feeling unmoored, but he found purpose when Mossad revealed he and Ziva had a daughter.
While Tony took the rest of the day off, the others, aided by FBI agent Tess Monroe (Sarah Clarke) and British SIS agent Clayton Reeves (Duane Henry), tracked down old nemesis Trent Cort. Another case in the books, Tony, realizing his priorities had changed, told Gibbs it would be his last.
I liked that the end of Ziva's arc tied into Tony's. I didn't initially believe she hadn't told Tony about their daughter because she wanted to raise the child herself and not disrupt Tony's life. It sounded like an excuse for the revelation's timing, but in Cote de Pablo's Season 11 departure episode, Ziva did rebuff Tony's willingness to leave NCIS to be with her.
I like Monroe and Reeves as potential new team members, but it's hard to imagine Tony won't be stepping off that elevator next season. Cheers and good luck, Michael Weatherly.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Get the Phoof Out of Here
© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com | 3:00 A.M.
"Phoof" is the informal name for the snapshot-style freeze-frame used on NCIS and its spinoffs as episodes open and return from commercials. Phoofs show images from the end of each act. NCIS creator Don Bellisario developed phoofs in mid-Season 2 because wondering how they fit in kept people watching. I've never much liked phoofs because I enjoy mysteries for the road to the reveal, not the reveal itself.
Bellisario left NCIS after Season 4 and it became TV's #1 drama without him, yet the phoof remains, becoming a franchise trademark. Aw, phooey.
"Phoof" is the informal name for the snapshot-style freeze-frame used on NCIS and its spinoffs as episodes open and return from commercials. Phoofs show images from the end of each act. NCIS creator Don Bellisario developed phoofs in mid-Season 2 because wondering how they fit in kept people watching. I've never much liked phoofs because I enjoy mysteries for the road to the reveal, not the reveal itself.
Bellisario left NCIS after Season 4 and it became TV's #1 drama without him, yet the phoof remains, becoming a franchise trademark. Aw, phooey.
Wednesday, January 06, 2016
Michael Weatherly Leaving NCIS
© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com | 8:00 A.M.
Weatherly, who has played Special Agent Tony DiNozzo since NCIS's backdoor pilot in 2003, announced yesterday he would leave the show at the end of this season.
The fact that DiNozzo has been fully fleshed out over thirteen years makes Weatherly's departure easier to take than say, Kate Todd's, who was killed off after two seasons. Then again, DiNozzo has been the spark of much of the show's humor as well as its younger man of action. I don't see McGee or Bishop filling the action void as Kate, Ziva, and Tony did. In those aspects, Weatherly is most difficult to replace.
Is it too much of a stretch to wonder if Weatherly's departure puts NCIS's renewal for Season 14 in doubt? If I were an executive, I'd want some assurance the show post-DiNozzo could still hit all the notes it does now.
Promoting a recurring humorous, physical character like Abigail Borin (Diane Neal) or recent DiNozzo ex Zoe Keats (Marisol Nichols) would be an easy transition, but there are also several episodes left this season that could introduce a new character.
What kind of sendoff would I like for Tony? What if he simply retires, as Ziva did, and reunites with Ziva as a bonus?
The fact that DiNozzo has been fully fleshed out over thirteen years makes Weatherly's departure easier to take than say, Kate Todd's, who was killed off after two seasons. Then again, DiNozzo has been the spark of much of the show's humor as well as its younger man of action. I don't see McGee or Bishop filling the action void as Kate, Ziva, and Tony did. In those aspects, Weatherly is most difficult to replace.
Is it too much of a stretch to wonder if Weatherly's departure puts NCIS's renewal for Season 14 in doubt? If I were an executive, I'd want some assurance the show post-DiNozzo could still hit all the notes it does now.
Promoting a recurring humorous, physical character like Abigail Borin (Diane Neal) or recent DiNozzo ex Zoe Keats (Marisol Nichols) would be an easy transition, but there are also several episodes left this season that could introduce a new character.
What kind of sendoff would I like for Tony? What if he simply retires, as Ziva did, and reunites with Ziva as a bonus?
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
DeMarco Marks Ten Years at Mysterical-E
© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com | 3:00 A.M.
Joe DeMarco informed me that, with the April 2015 Mysterical-E, he marks ten years as the site's editor.
I've been Mysterical-E's TV and film columnist for almost eight years. This issue's column ties into Joe's milestone, looking at two of my favorite series that have aired ten seasons or longer, NCIS and Bones.
Congratulations, Joe.
Joe DeMarco informed me that, with the April 2015 Mysterical-E, he marks ten years as the site's editor.
I've been Mysterical-E's TV and film columnist for almost eight years. This issue's column ties into Joe's milestone, looking at two of my favorite series that have aired ten seasons or longer, NCIS and Bones.
Congratulations, Joe.
Wednesday, April 02, 2014
NCIS: "Crescent City"
Special Agent Dwayne Cassius "King" Pride (Scott Bakula) is called in when the body of his NIS mentor is discovered. As the man was now a member of Congress, the FBI takes the body before the Jefferson Parish M.E. can examine it. Pride goes to Washington to team up with Gibbs on the case.
I've anticipated this episode since early February, when Scott Bakula and Zoe McLellan were cast. The thought of several Bellisario show veterans playing together thrilled me, and the reality did not disappoint.
Agent Pride's openness, established from the start, nicely contrasted Gibbs' gruff silence. That said, their chemistry as a team was also established early. Pride's work in New Orleans, with just one other agent, called to mind Season 1's underdog portrayal of NCIS.
Unlike the others, Agent Brody (McLellan) was closed off, much of her past left for Part Two. As someone who likes to get a sense of characters as quickly as possible, I didn't like that, though I understand it as a technique.
Part Two didn't pick up where Part One left off, instead drawing the characters together when another body appeared to have ties to the same killer. There was little indication how much time passed between the two.
Agent Brody was more open from the start of Part Two, but the time jump made her change of mood seem abrupt. Agent Pride did find out her secret, but they discussed it quickly as they geared up to follow a lead. That discussion was also wrapped in a needless Jeopardy! analogy.
As a whole, "Crescent City" gets credit for keeping the original NCIS characters involved while truly needing to spread them out to solve the case in two locales. As an episode of NCIS, "Crescent City" had star power a spinoff series probably wouldn't have. Time will tell if the New Orleans characters made enough of an impression on CBS execs. The NCIS: Red characters did not.
UPDATE (May 9): Multiple sources report CBS has picked up NCIS: New Orleans for Fall 2014.
I've anticipated this episode since early February, when Scott Bakula and Zoe McLellan were cast. The thought of several Bellisario show veterans playing together thrilled me, and the reality did not disappoint.
Agent Pride's openness, established from the start, nicely contrasted Gibbs' gruff silence. That said, their chemistry as a team was also established early. Pride's work in New Orleans, with just one other agent, called to mind Season 1's underdog portrayal of NCIS.
Unlike the others, Agent Brody (McLellan) was closed off, much of her past left for Part Two. As someone who likes to get a sense of characters as quickly as possible, I didn't like that, though I understand it as a technique.
Part Two didn't pick up where Part One left off, instead drawing the characters together when another body appeared to have ties to the same killer. There was little indication how much time passed between the two.
Agent Brody was more open from the start of Part Two, but the time jump made her change of mood seem abrupt. Agent Pride did find out her secret, but they discussed it quickly as they geared up to follow a lead. That discussion was also wrapped in a needless Jeopardy! analogy.
As a whole, "Crescent City" gets credit for keeping the original NCIS characters involved while truly needing to spread them out to solve the case in two locales. As an episode of NCIS, "Crescent City" had star power a spinoff series probably wouldn't have. Time will tell if the New Orleans characters made enough of an impression on CBS execs. The NCIS: Red characters did not.
UPDATE (May 9): Multiple sources report CBS has picked up NCIS: New Orleans for Fall 2014.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Ralph Waite Dies at 85
Veteran actor Ralph Waite died yesterday at his home in South Palm Desert, California. Best known for The Waltons, in recent years he made several appearances on NCIS as Gibbs' father, and on Bones as Booth's grandfather. All were memorable, and I was aware that each might be the last.
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