It boggles my mind to realize that NCIS has been on TV now
for 14 years. Not only is that a substantial run for a television series but to
remain in the top rated shows all that time as well speaks volumes for the quality
of the show and the interest of its viewers. Many shows become stale after just
a few short seasons. To hit fourteen and remain fresh is rare.
For those who’ve never seen the show (and I was one who came
on board very late in the game) it revolves around the NCIS or Naval Criminal
Investigative Service, the primary law enforcement of the United States
Department of the Navy. Crimes involving those in service are investigated by
this team rather than local police. Episodes in the series have run the gamut
from smuggling to terrorism to murder.
With several series seasons all coming out on DVD at once
and being reviewed, I’ve noted that the CBS ensemble series more often than not
involve surrogate families in each. The same holds true here with this one. And
like all families at some point a member moves away but stays in touch. Forever
there has been the lynchpin and stern father figure of Leroy Jethro Gibbs as
played by Mark Harmon. His character has been the most changed but never on the
surface so much as just beneath that layer of strict disciplinarian. That
subtle revelation of emotions he feels for his team bubbles to the surface on
occasion this season, something very nice to witness in the character.
Perhaps the biggest change in the cast this season was the
loss of series regular Michael Weatherly as agent Anthony DiNozzo. Weatherly
went on to his own series BULL (fantastic show by the way) but did so without
the standard death scene most shows use, instead having character leave to
start a family in Paris. His departure allows series regular Timothy McGee
(Sean Murray) the opportunity to now become the senior field agent. This
promotion that’s transpired over the course of the show has been well timed and
watching him grow into the role has been a pleasure. We also find the romance
he had in previous seasons yield to upcoming marriage as well.
There have been several female leads to come and go with the
series with only Pauley Perrette as Abby Sciuto staying on through every
season. Fans seemed to lose it when Cote De Pablo left but her shoes were
capably filled by Emily Wickersham as Ellie Bishop. Bishop has a thread running
through this season that finds her in a deep romantic relationship that turns
vengeful as the season progresses.
Abby herself remains, well, Abby. The quirky lab tech with
substantial knowledge and non-standard sense of style stays the knowing yet
innocent character she’s always been. It’s not that Abby lives in her own world
but she’d rather have her own place than walk into that of others. She is well
aware of the terrible things this world has but chooses to try and make her
world a happier one to live in. Abby gets an entire episode to revolve around
her this season as she’s recruited to plot out a terrorist attack to help
prepare for the real thing only to have it hijacked and become real.
This season also sees the head of the organization Director
Vance (Rocky Carroll) find romance in the making. Several episodes revolve
around his potential move from the world of NCIS to that of politics, courted
by Congresswoman Jenna Fleming (Mary Stuart Masterson). If Vance were to choose
to do so it would leave yet another opening in the cast. Watch the season to
find out his choice.
With that loss of Weatherly and the character of DiNozzo it
left a gap in the team that the producers decided to fill with three new
additions. The first of those is Jennifer Esposito as Alex Quinn. A trainer for
NCIS who’s been sending Gibbs potential other replacements he recruits her
knowing that her place should be in the field. Having been a trainer she has
personal contact with all the other members of the team having put them through
their paces before they ended here.
The next new member of the team is Nick Torres (Wilmer
Valderrama), a long time deep undercover agent coming in from the cold. Torres
is a man of action who feels bound when tied to a desk. One of the quirks of
the character is that he never sits when in the confines of the office. A
self-professed lady’s man he carries an air of confidence that the rest of the
team occasionally knocks down a tad. But he’s always willing to give as much as
take.
Lastly there is MI6 agent Clayton Reeves (Duane Henry), on
loan from Britain to the team who adds that touch of international cooperation
to the group. Reeves brings along his own personal baggage much like the other
two new additions. He also brings along his skills which help.
Two remaining past cast members need discussed. Dr. Donald
“Ducky” Mallard (David McCallum) remains the thought provoking story telling ME
who offers advice on all things forensic when it comes to medical issues. An
interesting episode this season deals with his past and his mother. Alongside
Mallard is Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) who also has a special episode that
revolves around him. The less said about that episode the more enjoyable it
will be as revelations are brought out that will disarm viewers and offer a
smile at the same time.
There is so much to enjoy about not just this series but
about this season. The adjustments to new characters, dealing with the loss of
others and the sense of comradery flows throughout from the first to the last
show of the season. That may be what accounts for the longevity of the show,
the fact that these are characters with their own personal ticks, some minor
some major, who not only come together to solve the mysteries posed but who
genuinely care about one another. While some might fault series that offer
surrogate families perhaps they make great allegories for real ones to take
note of. In any event the series remains one of the best television has ever
offered. The entire run should be a part of any TV fans collection, especially
this season.
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