NCIS: Los Angeles Review: Introducing Team Red
Well, that was a disappointing launch to the potential new series NCIS: Red.
This week's NCIS: Los Angeles, "Red," was used as a backdoor pilot for a new series in the franchise that initially started with JAG. The Red Team is an elite, mobile unit that can be dispatched to anywhere in the world, living quarters included. As a fan of Kim Raver and John Corbett, I had high hopes for their new series. I'll withhold a final judgment until after next week's conclusion to the two-parter, but it isn't off to a good start.
The highlight of the hour was the return of "The Box." The mysterious box that Kensi had and refused to discuss with Deeks. This time she gave it to him as a gift and said that it had what he has always wanted in it. And he didn't open it! At this point, I almost don't want to know what's inside because it will probably be a letdown. It will be fun to see how long Deeks can hold out before opening it. He's not usually a patient person.
As soon as Sam and Callen left Los Angeles, the episode fell apart. The problem with the hour was it moved from moment to moment without a sense of consequence, emotion or urgency. Half way through the episode, it was trudging along at a much too slow pace. The sharing of a room between Callen, Sam and then Granger lasted way too long. And the kitchen scene with Callen and Paris dragged. NCIS: Los Angeles is usually a fast paced show with the team constantly in motion.
A backdoor pilot has the difficult task of introducing a new show, cast and tone within the confines of the existing series. With the exception of Kim Raver's Paris Summerskill, I can't really say much about the rest of the team. They were there, but with little discernible personality beyond their roles within the team.
The case itself didn't hold my attention easily either. They tracked down the killer, Spears, through a mobile phone video, connected him to a terrorist threat, chased him and let him escape. The two gun fights were well done and another highlight. I especially liked that Sam shot out the sun roof in order to take a position through it to shoot the snow plow. Though, at the airport, how did Spears escape? It was a closed facility. He didn't have time to fly out, did he?
With the Red Team's member, Danny, injured, they needed a replacement. Hetty brought in Paris' former partner, Roy. Since the Red Team is based out of Georgia, why was Hetty replacing one of their team members? Of course, Paris and Roy have a difficult past that they will have to overcome when they work together. Roy's shooting seems to be at the heart of their discord and trust issues. While not particularly original, that relationship should provide some heart and tension within the team.
I wish CBS had aired the two hours together. I don't have a high opinion of the show based on this first hour, but that's primarily because the story has only been half told. It's like reviewing only the first hour of a movie. Despite my disappointment so far, the set up of a mobile team of agents that both live and work together is promising. The NCIS: Red show could easily be redeemed in next week's conclusion.
Did you enjoy these new characters? What do you think about the tension between Paris and Roy? Did you like it more than I did? Will you tune in for the conclusion next week?
Carla Day is a staff writer for TV Fanatic. Follow her on Twitter and on Google+.
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April 12th, 2013 4:58 PM
Give it time. Not a lot of people were watching NCIS when it first appeared.
March 29th, 2013 1:22 PM
I am keeping an open mind but I don't have high hopes for the new series. What has made NCIS great is the cast and top-notch writing. Some members are more indespisible to the show's success than others but even the cast members that have the least amount of time on screen are memorable and likable. This new group seems to have no one memorable or likable. As NCIS and NCIS:LA made cast changes between the pilot and episode 1 (Blackadder and Macy), I'm hoping that Summerskill, Quaid and/or Keats won't make it to episode 1 (an English or Australian woman on a U.S. Federal quick-response team - to quote Deeks: Really?) Their strongest characters at this point seem to be the ones who had to take a backseat in the pilot.
As for the writing, the NCIS writers have held true to the investigative part of the show. I have the suspicion that all of the best writers work for NCIS and the less skilled ones work on NCIS:LA. NCIS has a good mix of character and storyline writing. The NCIS
March 28th, 2013 12:41 AM
John Corbett seems out of place, both with his character, as well as Corbett, himself. Neither seem to work with the team's fast-paced, really alert Red Team (and obviously much more toned and physically fit bunch that he looks to be -- rather pasty looking, a little out of shape, and what's with that hair?).
March 27th, 2013 9:34 AM
The chemistry on the new team just does not work. The background secret between the male and female lead is supposed to bring us back (out of curiosity?) I dont care! I won't watch this spin-off. I do not particularly care for the "no home base" concept. There are only two interesting characters and paired with different actors they could be developed into something good. All in all this "team" is blah!
March 26th, 2013 9:34 PM
I have looked forward to watching NCIS each week untill now. The red series seems poorly done and the cast seem so fake compared to the regular series cast. I hope that we can get back to what was working instead of trying to change. Look what change has cost us in the last four years!
March 26th, 2013 4:11 PM
I loved the box scene...but I almost think whatever is in the box is not as important as the box itself and what Deeks chooses to do with the box. Either that or what's in the box will turn out to be a complete letdown. The best part of the whole Red Team portion, in my opinion, was when Kim Raver punched John Corbett in the face. Truly the only funny moment.
March 26th, 2013 12:33 PM
I agree with everything you said Carla! This might be one of the most poorly executed backdoor pilots I've seen. The red team just seemed out of place,the characters have no charisma(or their trying too hard to show personality to little to no effect). The pacing is really slow and I don't really feel intrigued by the case their working on together. I feel that there should have cross paths because of a case, initially they didn't get along and are forced to work together. That would have be interesting but this was just.... i hate to say it but at some moments real corny. I'll watch to see how it ends in part 2 but yeah it's disappointing so far.
March 24th, 2013 12:13 AM
I didn't enjoy this episode that much, and I don't really have a vested interest in NCIS: Red. I know TV networks, and in particular CBS loves to make franchises of popular shows, but I think NCIS and NCIS: LA is enough. John Corbett who I love, looked terrible, and needs to go see a barber because he is normally a handsome man.
March 22nd, 2013 1:49 PM
I don't normally watch nighttime TV, but felt compelled to watch because of John Corbett. Even though he had a small part I thoroughly enjoyed the program and am looking forward to Part II. I have high hopes for this series to be a winner.
March 21st, 2013 8:28 PM
Really poorly done. NCIS: Red sounds great on paper, but the execution is just terrible and looks cheap. 95% of the focus on that team was on "Paris", who I'm not sold on - the rest of that team had just a few lines in whole episode at best.
"The Box" was the best part, and I was laughing the whole time just because it was completely absurd. Though even that was dragged out for some bizzare reason.