First off, Gibbs ain't going nowhere. He will outwit sleazy, pompous ass Parsons without breaking a sweat. Shoot Fornell? Not likely--he's either not the target or has a top grade flak jacket on and will be cussing Gibbs for the bruises. CdeP WILL return--she's not dumb enough to walk away from this show. Tiva will wobble along as it has--the writers haven't quite milked this one dry yet. CBS execs may be terminally stupid, but their OCD fixation on the 18-49 demographic will keep this show alive as long as the writers don't screw it up and lose the loyal audience with dumb stunts. Will I be back in Sept.? Of course--if only to see how the writers squirm out of this mess.
Sorry, writers, but you have screwed the pooch on this one. You have put both main characters in an absolutely untenable situation--any direction you take it in the fall will reek of hypocrisy, compromise the characters and create the kind of tension that few have any interest in suffering through. How they deal with the proposal will set the tone for the next season and decide whether legions of loyal fans stick around.I am SO tired of writers ruining good shows.
Aside from the major headache this show gives me trying to untangle plot lines and characters each week, I still love the interplay between Finch & Reese and the action between the two of them and everyone else. Carter/Fusco and their clandestine activities make me question whether the writers have done ANY research on REAL cop shops..... I will probably tune in to the first 1 or 2 episodes next season, but if it's still an exercise in obfuscation, I'll go back to my Kindle.
OK--it's the end of Season 4, the writers are getting bored and have started screwing with the ensemble characters. Will probably take them another 1/2 season to finish the job. Special place in hell for them......
Good episode, showcase for Deeks/Kensi. They either have to get it on or give it up. Dragging yet another "romance" out season after season is really unoriginal and getting old. Creating Grainger was strike one; KEEPING Grainger has been strike two....can't wait to see their final blow to what was a really good show. Sam, floating face down in water (in preview for finale), a clue? Sure as hell hope not.
There has to be a special place in hell for writers that keep screwing with successful shows. Hanks really nailed the officious, devious, careerist "investigator"--haven't disliked a character so much in a long time. He really displayed just how vile government types can be when they have an agenda and are on a power trip. I still think they are after both Gibbs AND Vance--Gibbs first, Vance as an added prize. Why? They pissed off the wrong control freak egomaniac, probably the creep from DHS. So, let's see...season finale designed to bring us all back for next season? Check. Put Gibbs in peril/in jail? Check. Put rest of team in deep angst, trying to find ways to help him? Check. Vance calling in favors and finding out he really doesn't have any? Probably check. Doesn't matter. *I* will be back for new season as will legions of fans....except maybe whiny Michael because he can't figure out how to change the channel? Check.
continued. to justify the huge salary differences. Ergo--note haunchos: QUIT screwing with success and spend more time on the truly crappy shows on your network.
Watching the annual Dancing with the Idiots Upstairs, ya gotta wonder if said folks are just a special kind of stupid or if they really have to make an effort to be so. This has LONG been one of the 2-3 best ENSEMBLE shows on TV, yet the macro-encephalitics (that's pin brains to most)that call the shots simply can't resist trying to fix what ain't broke. The women have always been a counterpoint to the necessarily stoic, relentlessly all-business male leads. I didn't care when Patinkin left--it was his choice, he wanted to do something with substance--yeah, I know--he's a stage snob.I almost gave it up when Prentiss left especially when they brought Blake in--yuk. Mess with Shemar, Vangsness and Cook and I am gone. These are critical characters and their loss will put CM in the dumpster. WHAT is the problem paying the women AND Moore what they are worth? Gibson was a damned nobody when he got CM so he's no more valuable than anyone else. Mantegna was marginally better known but nothing that would require paying him at a much higher level. Haunchos: QUIT screwing with success and pay better atention to the crappy stuff on your network.
Interesting undercurrent here...and *I* thought I might be the only one pissed at the writers dumbing Castle down. Actually, I spend a lot of time pissed at writers--when they get bored, they get stupid and when they get stupid they destroy good shows. I guess this is the best they can do for a cliffhanger--wonder how many of the cast have signed new contracts? Pfui!!
OK....I've about had it with the writers here. They have written themselves into a corner from which there are dwindling exits. They have reduced Lisbon to a secondary character, replacing her with RJ, the Great Wiz behind the curtain and have repeatedly allowed "visiting" characters to eclipse her. RJ is Jane, times 10. He's another con, at a much higher level than Jane with hypnosis skills and Manson-like manipulative abilities. Jane will NOT catch him--because there goes the entire premise for the show. It also sets up members of the cast to be eliminated if they don't sign contracts. Too many overly obvious ploys at work here. Season opener will determine whether I bother to watch any further.
Now that Bodnar is dead, I can see where the last two episodes/season finale is going: Homeland Security a-hole is going to have a temper tantrum from hell, attempt to disband NCIS, throw Vance, Gibbs & Ziva in jail and "punish" these dastardly rogues for disobeying his mightiness. We will have to wait until Sept/Oct to find out if ANYONE is still standing. Trust me, they will be, even if Cote gets terminally stupid and doesn't sign for another season. Gibbs and Vance will get their licks in and smile. All will be well in my NCIS world until the writers develope a serious case of ennui and do something that destroys the soul of the show because they are bored.
Michael: why are you still watching NCIS? You have been posting negative comments forever. There is a control on your TV that changes the channel--find it and use it.
Loved Jimmy developing a set and standing up to Ducky. I love Ducky but he can be soooo patronizing. Ziva will make every effort to bring Bodnar in because she wants to watch him get his. However, If Ziva thinks as little of the govt. ability to provide justice as many do, she may just skewer him and let him die slowly,preferably not on American soil. That will be the defining moment of the season finale and we will have to wait until fall to find out WHAT she does......Mossad directer Sirtis might well be the monkey wrench thrown into the story.
Did NOT see that one coming! Great episode, great fun and good use of each characters strengths. More than a little surprised that neither Lanie nor Gates were at the "party". Gates I can do without--Lanie, not so much. Most amazing thing? That many characters could keep from blowing it! Nice job, writers!
If NCIS RED will get Granger OUT of NCIS LA, I will be content. Hetty doesn't need a babysitter. Nice to see John Corbett again, but he really needs a haircut....kinda like Deeks needs to wash HIS hair THEN cut it. Not a stellar episode, but maybe Part 2 will kick it up a notch.
Great episode-kudoes, Michael-starting with the Dobie Dash. About fell out of chair laughing when McGee made it to car before Tony. Ziva's dialogue with Vance about the REAL issues with the nanny hunt was spot on, was well done and, yes, some of those nannies were just flat creepy. Good chemistry with the last one to show up at Vance's door. Hope that goes somewhere. Are Abby and Ziva ever going to develop a true friendship--one that goes both ways? The last scene, at the cemetary undid me--no dust, real tears. Through it all was Gibbs, bulldog instincts getting the bad guys AND justice. Weatherly did a fine job all the way around and I AM impressed....now if he would just let Tony grow up a little bit.
What is it with writers and recycling? Is it genetic? Environmental? Or pure laziness on their part? Let the Daisy/Sweets arc GO already! Stick a fork in it--it's DONE!I'm afraid the writers are getting bored and it's starting to show up in their story lines. Come on, folks--use some of that creativity that has gotten the show this far. Getting stale and lazy is usually the first indication the show is history.
Good epsode--loved the thaw around Vance...or maybe the writers are just remembering to write for his character instead of relying on a frown. I realllllly wish those same writers could make an effort to make Tony less smarmy. He's shown some solid acting chops and 'pubescent special agent' is wearing thin. Keep his quirky sense of humor just lose the smarmy part. What's with the spaced out episodes? Is CBS rationing them?
GREAT episode! Focused on two cast members that don't get a whole lot of screen time outside of the autopsy room. Particularly satisfying was Ducky's comment to the harridan female: "You have been played"......loved that little smile on his face!!! Rest of the cast did what they were supposed to do, with a lot more urgency--also well done. I think I remember seeing that Mark directed this, which might explain his lack of screen time. Good job, great team.
WOW! What a great 2-parter! Really gave Nathan a chance to display his acting chops for a change. Not thrilled with Brolin--one of H'woods' has-beens that married well--there must have been SOMEONE better suited for that role. Well done, writers--you had me going for awhile, although I did figure out WHO the target really was, just not the WHY. I was just as pole-axed as Castle when daddy dearest unveiled. Just tell me you are NOT draggin' Brolins' aging arse into an already tight and great ensemble group. Speaking of which, I kept waiting for the team in NY to jump in and still not sure why they didn't. Now I have to suffer through 3 weeks to get to a new episode. Grrrrr.
Michael: you so consistently disparage NCIS,especially Ziva, I can't help but wonder why you bother to watch? Are you a closet masochist? Or are you just a professional whiner? Please--do yourself (and the rest of us) a favor and get a life...somewhere else.
As for this 2-parter--it was superb! Just the right balance of all of the characters, the subject matter timely and handled very well. As often as I growl at the writers, they did a bang up job on this one. Nice job letting Tony show a tiny streak of maturity. Just don't get complacent.
Really showcased how seriously annoying, shallow and grasping the Gates character has become. All the mugging was a bit over the top and didn't enhance the characters any. Wish the writers would get over their "let's-do-something-different"(that really ISN'T different) schtick and get back to basics.
The only thing that annoys me more than writers screwing with the characters in a good show is the brass unleashing their egos and displaying their diminished capacity. Did the "big dogs" interpret JE's celiac disease as some kind of affront to their sublime authority? Are they really that stupid or is it a typical case of too much ego and not enough brains?? Keep dicking with the show, fools, and watch it go byebye.
Absolutely LOOOVED this episode! Spent a lot of time laughing at the Trekkie-snarking since I have long been a Trek fan--tho' way too old to go to conventions.Loved the interplay between a contrite Alexis and embarassed dad. So they didn't mention Caskett--that's the ideal for a storyline like this. Just let it BE! Last scene with Becketts' great legs and that gawd-awful mask literally knocking Castle off the bed just about put ME on floor! WTG, writers--at least on this one you got it right!
PS: So Stana has a less emaciated body--SO WHAT? She's still stacked like a brick outhouse.
Just what I needed--a little lighter episode! Ducky's 1000 megawatt smile lighting up the screen, Abby back to loving life, McGee allowed to be impressive, Tony well-smacked and Ziva....well, Ziva just being Ziva is awesome. What can I say about Gibbs that I haven't already said? Just keep on keepin' on and I'll be a happy camper. Am I the only one that interpreted Duckys' feelings going back to the morgue as somewhat of a let down? It was almost as if he wanted to stay topside and be part of the investigative side, but recognized that it was long past his time to do that. Lastly, the casting of Rene A was genius! He has always done superbly well with quirky, different characters and this one was no different.
Comments by Josie Leeds
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Good episode, showcase for Deeks/Kensi. They either have to get it on or give it up. Dragging yet another "romance" out season after season is really unoriginal and getting old. Creating Grainger was strike one; KEEPING Grainger has been strike two....can't wait to see their final blow to what was a really good show. Sam, floating face down in water (in preview for finale), a clue? Sure as hell hope not.
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Michael: why are you still watching NCIS? You have been posting negative comments forever. There is a control on your TV that changes the channel--find it and use it.
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As for this 2-parter--it was superb! Just the right balance of all of the characters, the subject matter timely and handled very well. As often as I growl at the writers, they did a bang up job on this one. Nice job letting Tony show a tiny streak of maturity. Just don't get complacent.
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PS: So Stana has a less emaciated body--SO WHAT? She's still stacked like a brick outhouse.
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