Positively Positive Review – NCIS: Borderland
by Mokibobolink on May.12, 2010, under Crime, Drama, Television
You know, it’s episodes like this one that make me really happy that I’m a blogger. ‘Borderland’ was so good that, as soon as the final credits rolled, I couldn’t wait to talk about it. I wanted to shout from the rooftops how wonderful it was and luckily I have a forum that allows me to do just that.
Anyone want an example of how to write a good drama with amazing characters that the audience really cares about? Take a look at NCIS. Seven seasons in and this drama is just as interesting (if not more so) than it was in the very beginning.
My favorite parts were all the Abby and Gibbs scenes. We all know that Gibbs sees her like the daughter he never got to see grow up, but we don’t often get to see those two get serious. Well this episode put a chance to all that as Abby is put on the trail of a cold case and discovers that her victim was killed by the man she loves like a father.
Highlights….
The big red bow on the car in the crusher. So cute…..well right up until the car started bleeding.
This line – “eew! What are you like, forty?” – LOL! That was awesome!
Tony in the Groucho Marx glasses
Gibbs giving his hat to the little boy. Aww!
Abby’s entire red outfit. From the shirt to the cuffs to the collar and the matching phone. Loved it.
This line – “What the biohazardous material is this?” – I am so gonna be using that one.
Palmer and Ducky both doing pretty good Fred Flintstone imitations.
Abby going off on how she hoped that McGee wasn’t going to be her escort and then him walking in the door. LOL.
Eeeew! I got no problem with blood and gore, but feet? Ick.
Alejandro calling McGee “McGoo”. So cute how jealous McGee is of that guy.
Tony’s terrible yet sorta funny “out on a limb” joke. It was bad but hey, at least he figured out that the tats on the feet meant that the killer was targeting bikers.
Abby’s dressing down of the student who tried to give her trouble in class. Don’t these people know not to mess with a forensic scientist? I love that Abby could not only tell how many cats the woman had but also that she was ovulating. Nice.
Recognizing the church during Abby’s fieldtrip as the same one seen in Gibbs’ flashback to when he killed the man responsible for the death of his family. That’s when I knew my suspicions about this episode were right.
McGee offering himself up as a hostage in exchange for Abby and her students.
Knowing as soon as the Reynosa gave Abby the bullet that it was going to turn out to be a lapua, the same kind of ammo that Gibbs used when he was a sniper.
How many times the phrase “toe cheese” was used in the span of 30 seconds. Kinda icky but also pretty darn funny.
Abby’s pajamas. So cute!
McGee and Abby figuring out that Tony and Ziva lied about who took the couch in Paris.
Abby packing up her stuff to leave after she realized that McGee forgot to use bottled water on his toothbrush. Uh oh, poor McGee.
Abby’s version of an alarm clock being a device that causes a minor explosion. So didn’t surprise me at all.
The fact that as soon as Abby realized who murdered Pedro, she immediately started questioning how she ended up on that particular cold case. Have to admit that I hadn’t even thought of it like that. I just assumed it was a coincidence. I totally should have known better. *gives self a head slap*
Poor McGee sucking back the Pepto as he stepped off the elevator and then Gibbs headslapping Tony for trying to make him sicker. LOL.
Watching Gibbs reaction as he realized that the man on Ducky’s was Pedro. Amazing how much Mark can convey without saying a word.
Gibbs arriving in Abby’s lab and the two of them not able to say what they really wanted to with McGee in the room. Turns out Pauley is just as good at saying a lot without words as Mark is. Wow, great scene.
McGee admitting to Tony that he programmed Tony’s browser to automatically “Next” him every 10 seconds.
The entire final scene between Gibbs and Abby in the basement – Abby’s disappointment in finding out that Gibbs actually killed someone in cold blood. Both of them knowing that it wasn’t an accident that she found out. Abby begging Gibbs to tell her that she’s wrong and that it’s all a mistake and him saying that he can’t. Abby asking him to tell her how much like a daughter she is to him and how much he loves her and then admitting that it won’t help, but what will is him telling her that he will love her, not matter what……and then the scene ending there before he replies. Wow. *wipes away tears*
Overall a very nice way to kick off what looks to be another great season finale from this series.
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More NCIS….
NCIS Superbowl 2010 Ad
NCIS Soundtrack, Volume 2 Review
NCIS Season7 Promo
NCIS, Season 7, episode 1 “Truth or Consequences”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 2 “Reunion”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 3 “The Inside Man”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 4 “Good Cop, Bad Cop”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 5 “Code of Conduct”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 6 “Outlaws and In-Laws”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 7 “Endgame”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 8 “Power Down”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 9 “Child’s Play”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 10 “Faith”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 11 “Ignition”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 12 “Flesh and Blood”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 13 “Jet Lag”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 14 “Masquerade”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 15 “Jack Knife”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 19 “Guilty Pleasure”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 20 “Moonlighting”
NCIS, Season 7, episode 21 “Obsession”
5 Comments for this entry
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May 12th, 2010 on 3:11 pm
when abby was examining the truck on the side of the road, i said,… “oh shit, Gibbs!” and i thought ducky would have said something….. didn’t jenny tell him the suspect’s name in ‘Hiatus’…? i was sure he would have figured it out….
May 14th, 2010 on 9:38 am
I totally agree with you about the desire to talk about this ep… The day after watching I couldn’t sleep and just had to email my friend about it!
I gotta tell you though that this ep made nauseous off and on throughout! All the scenes with Abby & Gibbs totally killed me…
There have too many coincidences of late relating to Mexico and I think Bell (and Hart) are after Gibbs! The question is: do they want Gibbs discredited, fired, to resign, in jail, dead, a combo of the previous, or all of the above?! I’m totally looking forward to the last two eps!
P.S. – You forgot to mention that we learned a new rule: #40 ‘If you think some one is after you, they are’. It’s also the 2nd new rule we’ve learned in 2 eps which I think might be hinting towards the title of the season finale, “Rule 51”.
May 15th, 2010 on 5:40 am
Did anyone else question why Abby chose to pursue the cold case further once her suspicions about Gibbs had been raised rather than letting sleeping dogs lie? (other than it not making for very good TV). It seemed liked getting the body exhumed and sent back to NCIS was not only excessive, she had to know where it was going to lead. I guess if it were me, and it involved my hero/father figure, I might want to try for plausible deniability.
May 18th, 2010 on 5:23 pm
That’s a great question Jaz. Personally I think that Abby has a very high moral ethic and I don’t think she could bury the info, no matter how much she may have wanted to. I think that’s why she asked Gibbs if he would love her “no matter what” because she knows that she has to report what she finds. She’s just too honest to do otherwise.
May 18th, 2010 on 5:28 pm
Oh yeah, you’re totally right AZGirl, I’m sure that Bell (and maybe Hart too, though her intentions are hard to read) are after Gibbs. Like you though, I’m not sure exactly WHY they are after him.
Ah, yes I had forgotten the new rule. Actually I don’t think I realized it was a new rule. I need to find a reference for all of them so I can keep a list and know when a new one is added. I didn’t actually know the title of the season finale (I usually avoid any info about upcoming eps if I can, including the titles. Yes I know, I’m weird. LOL). Will be interesting to see what that one is.