NCIS Review: Gibbs Delivers!
In the spirit of Christmas, we'll forgive NCIS this one.
It's not that "Newborn King" was a bad episode, but it felt like an entirely different show. The holiday theme was almost overblown at times, and there was a high level of (often predictable) cheesiness throughout, a far cry from some of the uber-serious, superbly well-written episodes this and every season.
But, what can I say, it's the holiday season, and it still worked for me. Why?
Marine Lt. Emma Reynolds (guest star Erin Cottrell) for one. Aside from initially locating her, there wasn't much mystery to her case - she was being stalked (hunted, really) because, after becoming pregnant by an Afghan soldier, she carried the potential heir to a key tract of land in Afghanistan that the DOD needed for a highway.
This was pretty much spelled out for us right away, and needless to say, a little far-fetched. But Emma's interactions with Gibbs, beginning with their fitting room standoff, made up for it and then some.
Everything about her was endearing, even as she tried to maintain the rough, Marine mentality she personified, the code that provided her a set of expectations that, with certain things, no longer apply.
It's always hard hearing Gibbs refer to Shannon or Kelly, but it seemed like he drew upon his own daughter's memory to form a bond with Emma that went beyond their mutual Leatherneck status.
If you saw the promo, you basically knew Gibbs' car was going to break down, and that he'd be the one delivering her child - a daughter, as it turned out, luckily for her - with the snow coming down.
Because Emma was so likable, and Gibbs is the man, it was easy to get wrapped up in the moment and overlook some of the lines ("my water just broke") and plot points (car breaking down) that felt formulaic.
While Gibbs delivered the greatest Christmas miracle of all, we were treated to a brazenly violent shootout between Ziva and Emma's would-be abductors, set to "Silent Night." Ironic, to say the least.
Obviously, Ziva got the job done (albeit after a much longer ordeal than you might expect from Ziva, to drive home the circle-of-life element) and everything was tied up in a pretty bow. As a holiday one-off I'll buy it.
A couple of character-driven side plots played key roles Tuesday as well.
Palmer's future father-in-law, Ed Slater (guest star Larry Miller) got a tour of the office as part of Jimmy and Breena's Christmas present to him. Needless to say, he thinks James is an unworthy government stiff.
This guy does not mince words, whether he was making not-good-natured jokes at federal agents or offering Palmer a job working in his funeral home. Poor James even thought about that for a moment.
Once Ed made a comment about the team failing, though, that lit a fire under Palmer. Say what you will about NCIS, they succeed much more often than not and always risk their lives in their casework.
Again, the overbearing father-in-law-to-be trampling all over quiet Palmer was a bit over the top, but at least he stepped up - for himself and his team - and showed us a new, emboldened side of himself.
Now if we could just get him to lose the sweater ...
Perhaps the night's most powerful moment was reserved for last. After receiving an invitation to Christmas brunch from his ex-fiancee Wendy earlier, Tony decided to go, but never made it out of the car.
He ends up not at Wendy's but at Chez Gibbs, where he was obviously expected, but not welcomed. Not that Gibbs doesn't love his very special agent protege like a son, but he fears Tony turning into him.
Before they leave for Layla's (while we know Gibbs is always going to be close to them, it's wonderful to see it depicted on screen and hear bits and pieces about them), Gibbs made it clear that Junior's inability to focus on both his work and his personal life is on him, no one else ... and to figure it out.
"Don't be like me. Learn from it." Hopefully he listens.
If Gibbs, who embodies so many good qualities and passes them on to those under his wing, can help Tony avoid what he considers his biggest pratfalls, he would be the ultimate role model and father figure.
A few random thoughts and observations before turning it over to your comments:
- The Christmas cookie interrogation? Eye-rolling but kind of awesome.
- Palmer did surprising well for himself with Breena. Just saying.
- CBS Television Studios has got to work on their fake snow.
- How great is Abby's Christmas techno music?
- She put them in a time out? Amazing.
- Gibbs + pink tricycle = Precious.
What did you think of this week's Christmas-themed NCIS? Discuss below!
Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.
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McGee: Not a hacker, either. Ziva: How do you know? McGee: My firewall hasn't been penetrated. Tony: Lubricant helps, but everybody has dry spots. (Ziva laug...
January 29th, 2012 10:50 PM
The show still has some great moments and the producers should pull in some new writers at this point. I think the writing team or somebody likes Tony's character best, from the way the dialogue goes down. Lots of near misses in communication between characters---not unlike real life---but maybe too many, if you pay close attention. So, I'm ready for more depth for Ziva and McGee and relationship depth for Gibbs. Bring back Colonel Mann perhaps. And more frequent shows---too many breaks weeks on end. Ok, I'm tired of watching the reruns and await some new shows, ok? Gettin' cranky!
January 3rd, 2012 4:42 PM
This show is still the best and as for Jimmy's sweater, well it's him.
I think the writers do such an excellent job with the Christmas NCIS shows.
They're supposed to be warm and fuzzy, it's Christmas. They have all year to get back to the regular scripts and I agree with most commenters that E.J. and Ray can go away.
Rank: Extra
January 3rd, 2012 2:07 PM
Tony in jeans ....................... Oooooo rah !!!
December 28th, 2011 8:47 PM
Other then Tony First True Love contacting him again It was horrible and Ziva funfire was a Joke and any smart person would see how unbelievable it is
Rank: Guest Star
December 28th, 2011 3:25 PM
I only just watched this -- saved it for Christmas and then was too busy. I guess I like cheesy holiday fair (I mean I've seen "It's a Wonderful Life" several more times than I care too, so can get sick of them, but like shows/movies/books that give that warm Christmas feeling) -- and this Christmas NCIS wasn't any cheesier than previous holiday fair.
Breena was stunningly pretty in this episode (previous episodes she appeared in were "Moonlighting" which involved the polygraph expert, and "Mother's Day" which was about Gibbs' former mother-in-law) -- and I don't recall anyone as pretty as she looked in this one in those. Actress is Michelle Pierce, 5'5" graduate of UCLA.
I liked the shootout with Ziva just fine. I don't think she's become a super heroine, but it follows her role all the way from the beginning. From all I've read of gunfights, both wild west and modern police, is that there is a lot of shooting and few, if any, hits. Partly because someone is shooting back a
December 22nd, 2011 4:53 PM
I really love the show.
Each episode is full of humor, funny interactions,clever comments,wonderful acting.
All the actors are doing an excellent job.
December 20th, 2011 9:25 PM
Hate to say it but NCIS needs some new scriptwriters. The scripts do better with espionage in general, but this last Christmas episode...The last couple of years there have been a handful of great episodes and the rest...not. The outsiders coming in for romances with Ziva or Tony don't work. That whole season with Jeanne...so wrong for the show. And EJ? Also a wrong choice. And Ziva's boyfriend she met in Miami and is returning this season? No no no....Keep the sparks in there for Tony and Ziva until the series ends. Let Gibbs go on special assignment in the "stans" (Afghanistan, Usbekistan, etc) and have him in some episodes of NCIS when he calls in the team for this or that special project. See if that flies and if it does, do a spin off of Gibbs the Marine/special forces/spy guy. Ducky: a fine Shakespearian actor! David McCallum's politics aside, as an actor he's a great asset to the show. Peace out and Merry whatever you celebrate!
December 17th, 2011 6:07 AM
Ncis Christmas
While i don't consider it one of their best christmas shows . It does open new areas to develope. You got to love Palmers sweater, and Jimmy standing up for the gang to his "A" would be father=law. Only Abby would be able to put thos two on a time out. Tim and Tony cookie scene wsa the best for humour. Finally Ziva fight scene brought out the badass she is suppose to be , while Gibbs delivers a baby {girl). Admit Zivas fight a lttle over kill.NCIS still the best on tv.
MERRY CHRISTMAS.
CHALLON
'
Rank: Extra
December 16th, 2011 1:24 PM
No one has mentioned one of my favorite bits of humor: in the clothing store when Gibbs and Ziva catch up with Emma, she questions Jethro about being a marine and he gives her the "how do you think I got this haircut?"...if you don't remember it, check the replay,...classic Gibbs!!
December 15th, 2011 9:35 PM
I loved the cookie interrogation. that was the best part. I lmao. I still remember on e from way back when. He was sitting playing tetris on his phone and the guys was getting so frustrated he just started talking. Got to love Tony and his interrogations. freaking hilarious.