Great episode. Well developed story-line. Great idea to have the 5 interns, who have been obviously cast with attention to their differences. They did a great job of playing off one another.
The only gotcha was having Hodgins describe the jet fuel as containing both kerosene and ethlyene glycol. That's just B.S. science. Mixing jet fuel(kerosene) with antifreeze makes an incombustable mixture. I don't think jet engines even need liquid coolent beyond using the fuel itself. Synthetic lubricants provide all that the turbine bearings need.
It only took one google request to find the wiki concerning jet fuels.
Its interesting that this week's Bones ep also dealt with returning vets' problems. I also appreciated this sympathetic character development of a societal problem faced by these people. This episode was really well done by the writers, as well as all the actors. I also appreciated the pic of a young Michael Weatherly.
Though having Ziva be so understanding of Tony does seem a stretch, in light of all her background as a super violent assassin/spy, I also like the chemistry.
So the question arises again: do we have the potential for seeing director Vance enter the picture, because of the need for leadership due to the potential size and complexity of this plot line? Here's a chance to show the team's potential growth into a truly sophisticated organization, dealing with international terrorist activities.
So, do we need an acronym for McGee and Abby? How about McGabby? Heh heh. I agree with all of the above comments about how solid this episode was: Good story line, good detail, no B.S. pseudo-science.
In support of the series: Very few shows can carry the complex character development for 8 main roles. This show is the best at large role sympathetic character development right now. We all want it to continue being that, and to lose any character would be a major loss for the show. Any criticism I make is meant to point to how this series could be made even better.
The acting on this show is top notch across the board; that's why I never speak to improvements in that area.
Sometimes I wonder how much input the various actors have concerning a given scene, a given episode or a given storyline. Only curious, nothing more.
@ Sue Ann
Rank: Recurring Character
November 1st, 2012 2:47 AM
It was made clear early in the series that Gibbs wants to use hand tools to do his wood-working, not power tools. He would never accept, nor ever use,
Well, Sue Ann, or whoever you are, the Shopsmith Gibbs bought roughly approximates all the tools I mentioned, except for the planer. So your statement is false. And a wood lathe has already been shown in the basement. Its all moot. I've figured out what he's making.
Eutro- haven't you ever been in a shop for one purpose and happen to see something interesting? It's a pawn shop. She takes in lots of different things.
As for analyzing Gibbs' basement, you aren't supposed to think so close.
Maybe the agents and bad guys should carry water pistols.
Both Ralph Waite and Billy Dee Williams did a great job in this episode. Very believable as two old best friends. And it sure didn't hurt to honor the marine regiment. This episode could easily have been made as a two-episode production.
Ducky is supposed to be a forensic psychologist, and therefore a perceptive friend to Gibbs. Why not have him supply Gibbs with a whole shop, as appreciation for Gibb's help with his estate? Come on team. Think more creatively.
On the other hand, Mark Harmon seems familiar with the Shopsmith multi-tool. It wouldn't be unreasonable to assume he has done wood working for a hobby for many years. On the other hand, the Shopsmith doesn't seem robust enough for the size of projects Gibbs seems to be embarking upon. Again we're expected to believe the stories built up from too sketchy scripting and production setup. It would have been better for Gibbs to somehow acquire a conventional band saw, drill press, table saw, planer and jointer over a period of multiple seasons and episodes, perhaps in similar ways to Ziva giving him that classic chisel several seasons ago.
Overall the production seemed a bit shoddy for a first class series.
This whole episode seems to have been a setup framework for the back story, and the side stories. The viewer is left with the impression that too many scenes have been written to force the subplots to fit in. In this case the main plot can be considered a subplot too. It was just too convenient that the woodworking tools were in the same pawn shop as the gun and the medal of honor. Very unbelievable. The scenery and props for Gibb's basement were also forced. One time you see two mostly complete logs on the sawhorses; the next time you see a 12-14 inch board that is too big to have come out of those logs. Oh, and where did the logs go, when the big board was being displayed. Not enough room in that basement to put it all.
So Vance is still stuck in his "I failed my responsibility" roll. O.K. But he doesn't have to be relegated to being the fifth wheel on the team. It would only take a few lines of dialog to show him taking dynamic, decisive action to prepare the NCIS teams for tackling future super-villans. Or is the series never again going to do a multi-episode super complex plot setup? Is it never again going to do multi-series, joint team actions with NCIS-LA? Are the teams always going to be in "reaction" mode to whatever evil is being committed at the time? That would be a shame.
This was a good ep. showing team cohesiveness in awkward ways.
RE What's Gibbs building now?
Just noticed the spindle leg on the background table in Gibb's basement.. It was shown, inverted. Its a classic victorian table leg, for writing desks, end tables or other smaller table types. It could be just an easily acquired prop, for ambience; many woodworking magazines have adds for them. They're made by being turned on wood lathes; they are not usually made from such large raw lumber as was seen resting on the saw horses. The leg could imply a smaller piece that Gibbs is building, but doesn't fit as a the project result of the large raw lumber.
Such large pieces are usually 're-sawn' into thinner, shorter boards. Gibb's shop has never shown the equipment needed to do re-sawing; but maybe I recall a lathe having been displayed once. Traditional sail boats sometimes have turned railing spindles and belaying pins. Solid metal cleats are more commonly used today.
Right off the bat there's a huge hole in the first episode's plot-logic.
40 million in liquid assets in one bank implies a thousand times more in fixed assets all over the world. So a theft of that amount cannot ruin that particular bad guy. Plus there's no mention of where such a theft could be hidden in such a way as to be easily disbursed to many wronged people. Such huge electronic transfers also imply rather easily trackable destination account activities.
This was a lame idea that might have played 15 years ago, but not today.
And that scene where the hero is 'grinding' his arrow tips on a bench grinder, making them red hot?
Come on. He just took all the temper out of the blade, not to mention he totally unbalanced it, so it would go wobbling off out to never-never land when shot.
We're not even going to start on the re-curved bow usage, instead of the current compound bow technology, which has totally replaced it. This series is quickly becoming a bad joke on the viewing public.
--continued:
The thing about the Gibbs character is that his back-story doesn't show him as being the creative managing lead type. He's more the brute-force, plow straight ahead, always use the same approach type of character. Which is fine for a team leader.
What is needed is a strategic planning, managerial, let's prepare for such and such contingency type of character. Unfortunately, this is not how the Vance character has been portrayed up to now. He should have been; it would make the series stronger, as well as more interesting, in its plot logic. Maybe the series creative team needs some help with this type of thinking. Its less reactionary and more pro-active.
Critical to the ongoing success of any show is how well the various main characters play off one another. The Tony character has been shown as the "class clown", allowing him to provide much of the material used to display the bi-play. MW has proven to be very effective in this roll. He has also proven skillfully to play as the strong team lead, saving the lives of both Gibbs, and, I think, Jenny Sheppard.
This allows the Gibbs character to be more simplistic(strong, silent type), one-dimensional and stodgy. The Gibbs character seems to have been well developed, and completely self-consistent. Fans might not want Gibbs to display too many surprises.
Why is a network even bothering with a spinoff of a spinoff? There must be a lot of openings for storyline talent. Or does the process involve such an entrenched 'Old Boys Network' that no one with a hint of originality can get in?
RE: having to do with woodworking,
Its interesting that Gibbs has been shown as a very traditional woodworker, with very few power tools. Not only that, this year we're seeing him actually start a project with some majorly large pieces of raw lumber, practically a whole tree on the saw horses, as it were. He did mention some episodes back, I think, something about a larger boat and then needing a larger space to build this project. It would be a possible 'end of Gibbs' set up for him to finish a 30-40 footer, then to sail off into the sunset, alone.
Who knows? Maybe its just that Abby deserves a nicer coffin, er bed. heh heh.
Of course part of the set up was Ducky's assigning Gibbs as the executor of his estate last season. Writers don't include scenes like that for no reason. This part of the setup could be used at any time, not necessarily this season. It would make a somewhat creative wrap up to the series as a whole, if Ducky were to die, leaving a bunch of money to the various team members, and supplying each with a host of options for 'moving on' with their lives.
Being open ended like that was rather creative, albeit sad. I'd like a few more seasons please, with the whole team. More scenes of Ducky driving his Morgan plus four around.
This ep is almost like Ducky's swan song as a regular on the series. He had so much fun trying to lead the investigation, and seemed rather sad when it was over.
Its almost like we're being set up for his 'moving on' to some new position, not in NCIS.
Its interesting that Vance and Palmer are the only team members who are married. Is it just that its easier to write, or that such demanding case work insists on excessive time-on-the-job?
Its been fun to watch Abby and McGee trying to work out their ideosyncrasies toward a relationship, including rule # 12. I know McGee follows Gibbs' rules; yet Abby just goes with where her heart leads her.
It still would be fun to see her do a Bacall to McGee's Bogey. I think they could pull it off, in a very humorous way of course. Or maybe Tony could to a funny take-off while under cover, on a Thomas Magnum type. He is excellent doing caricatures. The under cover scenes he's played in the past were a riot.
@elizmom
You're going to have to go back further than the MASH tv series. Rene was the chaplin in the original MASH movie. 1969 or 70 or so.
It was a good ep this time. What's fun now is that we don't know when the next nutjob will strike. I still think we should see Vance setting up strong contingency plans for super threats to the team, making the team ever more capable and deadly. He should be making them fitter, stronger, and even more coordinated, maybe with a few neat new toys. Its next level time.
And let's have Ziva do another nite club act. Come on. Write to the character's strenths, as well as to the actors' strengths.
Comments by Eutrophicated1
Bones Review: We Remember
The only gotcha was having Hodgins describe the jet fuel as containing both kerosene and ethlyene glycol. That's just B.S. science. Mixing jet fuel(kerosene) with antifreeze makes an incombustable mixture. I don't think jet engines even need liquid coolent beyond using the fuel itself. Synthetic lubricants provide all that the turbine bearings need.
It only took one google request to find the wiki concerning jet fuels.
NCIS Review: The General
Though having Ziva be so understanding of Tony does seem a stretch, in light of all her background as a super violent assassin/spy, I also like the chemistry.
So the question arises again: do we have the potential for seeing director Vance enter the picture, because of the need for leadership due to the potential size and complexity of this plot line? Here's a chance to show the team's potential growth into a truly sophisticated organization, dealing with international terrorist activities.
NCIS Review: The General
NCIS Review: Medal of Honor and a Ferrari
The acting on this show is top notch across the board; that's why I never speak to improvements in that area.
Sometimes I wonder how much input the various actors have concerning a given scene, a given episode or a given storyline. Only curious, nothing more.
NCIS Review: Medal of Honor and a Ferrari
Rank: Recurring Character
November 1st, 2012 2:47 AM
It was made clear early in the series that Gibbs wants to use hand tools to do his wood-working, not power tools. He would never accept, nor ever use,
Well, Sue Ann, or whoever you are, the Shopsmith Gibbs bought roughly approximates all the tools I mentioned, except for the planer. So your statement is false. And a wood lathe has already been shown in the basement. Its all moot. I've figured out what he's making.
NCIS Review: Medal of Honor and a Ferrari
October 31st, 2012 2:04 PM
Eutro- haven't you ever been in a shop for one purpose and happen to see something interesting? It's a pawn shop. She takes in lots of different things.
As for analyzing Gibbs' basement, you aren't supposed to think so close.
Maybe the agents and bad guys should carry water pistols.
NCIS Review: Medal of Honor and a Ferrari
NCIS Review: Medal of Honor and a Ferrari
NCIS Review: Medal of Honor and a Ferrari
Overall the production seemed a bit shoddy for a first class series.
NCIS Review: Medal of Honor and a Ferrari
NCIS Review: Sea of Lies
This was a good ep. showing team cohesiveness in awkward ways.
NCIS Review: Are You Ready to Rock!?
Just noticed the spindle leg on the background table in Gibb's basement.. It was shown, inverted. Its a classic victorian table leg, for writing desks, end tables or other smaller table types. It could be just an easily acquired prop, for ambience; many woodworking magazines have adds for them. They're made by being turned on wood lathes; they are not usually made from such large raw lumber as was seen resting on the saw horses. The leg could imply a smaller piece that Gibbs is building, but doesn't fit as a the project result of the large raw lumber.
Such large pieces are usually 're-sawn' into thinner, shorter boards. Gibb's shop has never shown the equipment needed to do re-sawing; but maybe I recall a lathe having been displayed once. Traditional sail boats sometimes have turned railing spindles and belaying pins. Solid metal cleats are more commonly used today.
Arrow Review: A Man in a Green Hood
The writers/producers should at least invest in some good technical consultants.
Arrow Review: A Man in a Green Hood
40 million in liquid assets in one bank implies a thousand times more in fixed assets all over the world. So a theft of that amount cannot ruin that particular bad guy. Plus there's no mention of where such a theft could be hidden in such a way as to be easily disbursed to many wronged people. Such huge electronic transfers also imply rather easily trackable destination account activities.
This was a lame idea that might have played 15 years ago, but not today.
And that scene where the hero is 'grinding' his arrow tips on a bench grinder, making them red hot?
Come on. He just took all the temper out of the blade, not to mention he totally unbalanced it, so it would go wobbling off out to never-never land when shot.
We're not even going to start on the re-curved bow usage, instead of the current compound bow technology, which has totally replaced it. This series is quickly becoming a bad joke on the viewing public.
NCIS Review: Are You Ready to Rock!?
The thing about the Gibbs character is that his back-story doesn't show him as being the creative managing lead type. He's more the brute-force, plow straight ahead, always use the same approach type of character. Which is fine for a team leader.
What is needed is a strategic planning, managerial, let's prepare for such and such contingency type of character. Unfortunately, this is not how the Vance character has been portrayed up to now. He should have been; it would make the series stronger, as well as more interesting, in its plot logic. Maybe the series creative team needs some help with this type of thinking. Its less reactionary and more pro-active.
NCIS Review: Are You Ready to Rock!?
This allows the Gibbs character to be more simplistic(strong, silent type), one-dimensional and stodgy. The Gibbs character seems to have been well developed, and completely self-consistent. Fans might not want Gibbs to display too many surprises.
Arrow Review: A Man in a Green Hood
NEXT!
NCIS Review: Are You Ready to Rock!?
Its interesting that Gibbs has been shown as a very traditional woodworker, with very few power tools. Not only that, this year we're seeing him actually start a project with some majorly large pieces of raw lumber, practically a whole tree on the saw horses, as it were. He did mention some episodes back, I think, something about a larger boat and then needing a larger space to build this project. It would be a possible 'end of Gibbs' set up for him to finish a 30-40 footer, then to sail off into the sunset, alone.
Who knows? Maybe its just that Abby deserves a nicer coffin, er bed. heh heh.
NCIS Review: Are You Ready to Rock!?
Being open ended like that was rather creative, albeit sad. I'd like a few more seasons please, with the whole team. More scenes of Ducky driving his Morgan plus four around.
NCIS Review: Are You Ready to Rock!?
Its almost like we're being set up for his 'moving on' to some new position, not in NCIS.
NCIS Review: Are You Ready to Rock!?
Its been fun to watch Abby and McGee trying to work out their ideosyncrasies toward a relationship, including rule # 12. I know McGee follows Gibbs' rules; yet Abby just goes with where her heart leads her.
It still would be fun to see her do a Bacall to McGee's Bogey. I think they could pull it off, in a very humorous way of course. Or maybe Tony could to a funny take-off while under cover, on a Thomas Magnum type. He is excellent doing caricatures. The under cover scenes he's played in the past were a riot.
NCIS Review: Are You Ready to Rock!?
NCIS Review: Are You Ready to Rock!?
You're going to have to go back further than the MASH tv series. Rene was the chaplin in the original MASH movie. 1969 or 70 or so.
It was a good ep this time. What's fun now is that we don't know when the next nutjob will strike. I still think we should see Vance setting up strong contingency plans for super threats to the team, making the team ever more capable and deadly. He should be making them fitter, stronger, and even more coordinated, maybe with a few neat new toys. Its next level time.
And let's have Ziva do another nite club act. Come on. Write to the character's strenths, as well as to the actors' strengths.
NCIS Review: Are You Ready to Rock!?
He still gets a fair amount of work. Would like to see him, as well as some others like Arman Shimmerman(Quark), get to do a kind of reunion.
NCIS Round Table: "Extreme Prejudice"
It was a perfect 'Tony' movie reference.