LA GRENOUILLE VS. MOLE IN NCIS STORY ARCS
10th March 2010
Today I look at the way the Season 4 La Grenouille story arc is dealt with in comparison to the mole in NCIS story arc in Season 6. I agree with most in that La Grenouille story line is very much over the top and is definitely not as good as the Mole story in Season 6.
The La Grenouille story arc, which involves Tony's undercover assignment as well as Jenny's personal agenda, is practically in every episode from 'Sandblast' to the 5th season premiere. Of that, only 5 episodes are dedicated to the actual story "Blowback", "Brothers In Arms", "Angel of Death" and "Bury Your Dead" and "Internal Affairs". All other episodes, there is other plots or stories to go with that, and generally the La Grenouille story arc is only mentioned.
But notice of those 5 episodes, 4 of them are very good episodes ("Angel of Death" is the exclusion). Look at the 3 episodes of the Mole story "Last Man Standing", "Cloak" and "Dagger". They too are very good episodes. But the main difference is the Mole story is only really part of those episodes, along with "Collateral Damage" where Gibbs realises Lee is the mole. Whereas the La Grenouille story consumes most episodes in Season 4, which disturb the flow of the story that the team was initially investigating in the individual episode and by the end of Season 4, we needed the 'Previously on NCIS' anyway.
A look at the romances. Tony and Jeanne's relationship plagued almost every episode in the second half of Season 4. This caused a drawback, in most fans not liking the character, and meaningless plots (such as her moving out of her apartment). Ziva and Rivkin's relationship was prominent in the end, but referenced in just 4 episodes of the first 20 episodes of Season 6. And they were just references. It is more implied than shown, but the season is better off for it.
Season 4, in my opinion and others, is the worst (certainly doesn't mean its bad though, it is still good) season of NCIS. Most critics and fan believe this. Of all seasons of NCIS in American ratings, only Season 4 has not risen in the number of viewers on its last season. Season 6 on the other hand, was one of the better ones. Considering there may be at least 9 or 10 seasons of NCIS, let's hope they don't follow along the Season 4 path again.
LAST UPDATE ON 10/03/2010 05:42 PM AEDT
SUBMITTED BY SPECIALWINDLER
TONY IN SEASON ONE
18th March 2010
Its been a while between drinks but anyway… A quick look at Season 1 for Tony. A very different season for Tony in comparison to the latter seasons. Probably most because he hasn't fully developed in the writers minds and they were still working on perfecting his character.
First of all, he seems to me that he is a little more confident against Gibbs. He doesn't cower down until the second half of the season and even then still goes up against Gibbs. Gibbs doesn't really get angry at Tony until after "Bete Noire". Tony comes uninvited a few times to Gibbs' house, which I can't see him doing in the latter seasons. He as well shows an enduring characteristic in very much wanting Gibbs satisfaction as shown in "High Seas" and "Missing".
His appearance though mostly his hair is extremely different, which while irrelevant, still makes him distinguishable in the first season. The slicked back hair is, not a very good look, but is identifiable to Season 1. This haircut goes during the latter episodes of the season. He also has his weapon holstered around his arms in this season rather than at his waist in later ones.
Tony only really had one episode more important than the rest and that was "Missing". He shows his dedication to the job in this episode, when a normal agent would most likely hope and wait to be rescued. The episode shows that he is willing to die for the job/a Marine when he stands in the way of the woman killing the Marine.
LAST UPDATE ON 18/03/2010 12:05 AM AEDT
SUBMITTED BY SPECIALWINDLER
COPY CAT EPISODES
20th March 2010
Today I will take a look at the three most recent episodes of NCIS. 7.16 "Mother's Day", 7.17 "Double Identity" and 7.18 "Jurisdiction". All of these episodes have some main elements or plot ideas that are extremely similar if not inspired from earlier episodes. I read a critic somewhere who said they hadn't liked "Jurisdiction" because it reminded them too much of an earlier episode. I beg to differ otherwise.
Of course with an 150 episode (100 hours) catalogue of NCIS, it would be impossible not to revisit an idea. As long as it is well written and doesn't obviously go over the top
"Mother's Day" is not the first time a family member has been introduced into the murder or investigation of someone who the team coincidentally has control over. Gibbs and DiNozzo's father are the ones who spring to mind. In a way this episode is similarly constructed to 6.04 "Heartland", in terms that it has flashbacks and difficult scenes between Gibbs and his father/ex-mother-in-law. While those relationships are different, there is some reconciliation seen, and "Mother's Day" is an extremely nice addition to NCIS.
"Double Identity" is not the first time dual identities have been used (multiple episodes). Not the first time hospital scenes are prominent (2.09 "Forced Entry" and 3.15 "Family Secret"). And not the first time, but I'm going to guess the last in which multiple wives are shown (4.05 "Dead and Unburied"). Double Identity is a nice episode. Compare
"Jurisdiction" has an element that most likely drew back from 2.12 "Doppelganger". But this was no copycat, just more relation between the team bosses. Of course, she coincidentally was a redhead, and made the perfect female Gibbs. The underling of the "anti-Gibbs" wasn't over exposed which was good in "Doppelganger" but would have been extremely repetitive, had they popped up here. Great episode.
I am also sure I could find references from earlier episodes in most of Season 7 episodes. With such a long series, crimes and stories are inevitably going to be slightly repetitive. You are rarely going to get a fresh idea like the one in 7.08 "Power Down" as the crime drama has many shows on U.S. television at the moment. Its just how good the writers can twist and make the story still watchable that's the key.
LAST UPDATE ON 20/03/2010 09:19 AM AEDT
SUBMITTED BY SPECIALWINDLER
ABBY IN SEASON SIX
22nd March 2010
Well, as inevitably as it comes, we come to what I agree with most others is Abby's worst season. While there were more highlights than low-lights, there are some defining scenes that have been unfortunately implanted into NCIS Season 6. Silent Night seems to be the main concern among myself and other fans. While I write this blog slightly influenced by the Moderator's one, I can say that her performance in "Silent Night" was unnecessary. I thought it was a very good and nice episode except for that factor. Her whinging, and childish actions were out of character, and I must say, what were the writers thinking that week.
Contrast Abby in 6.17 "South by Southwest" and 6.21 "Toxic". While in "South by Southwest", she is only main in the first half, similar to Ducky in 2.04 "Lt. Jane Doe", there are some scenes to note. First appearing at the crime scene. Its not Abby's place to do so, but at the same time she ends up there. She blames herself very much, which while understandable, I just didn't like the way it was done. In "Toxic", she performs more to the Abby that we all know, mainly because she is fine with being 'stolen' by the FBI. Only a slight out of hand whine at the end at the traitor at the end, but a nice performance.
Other good performances include "Heartland", "Cloak" and "Semper Fidelis".
LAST UPDATE ON 22/03/2010 02:12 PM AEDT
SUBMITTED BY SPECIALWINDLER