The Positively Positive

McGee gets to pilot a jetpack, and run the team, in NCIS, season 7, ep 11 “Ignition”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

In this episode, Gibbs let McGee take the lead because jetpacks to him are like movies to Tony. He knows everything about the subject and will talk relentlessly until either someone tells him to shut up or he gets a headsmack from Gibbs (which he did).

As a Tony lover (who also loves McGee too) I thought it was interesting that though Gibbs let McGee run with the case, he was still standing by to guide him along the way. It reminded me of what Gibbs did with Tony in last season’s episode “Bounce”.

But the first time Tony had to run things on his own (in season 3’s “Bait”), no one was there to help. So I thought about it and realized that the hand-holding phase for Tony would’ve been over by then. But with McGee, we get to see it happening. We get to see Gibbs actually teaching him how to be team leader.

Highlights….

The entire discussion about the internet with Tony, Ziva and McGee. Gibbs walking in with his newspaper after all their complaints about needing a better way to get the news was perfect.

Ducky and Palmer riding in on an ATV. The look on Palmer’s face was priceless when he said “he wouldn’t let me drive…I begged and begged.”

Finding out that McGee has a Powerpoint presentation about jetpacks.

McGee earning a headslap for droning on and on to Gibbs about jetpacks.

Palmer doing his first solo autopsy….on a squirrel. I love that Ducky encouraged him to go ahead with his story.

Tony and Ziva trying to sneak out on a repeat performance of McGee’s Powerpoint, and being caught by Gibbs.

McGee realizing the price of being in charge….like not being able to go visit the jetpack factory.

Tony reaching over to sneak a touch on the jetpacks after the guy turned his back. That’s so Tony.

Whoa, Team Gibbs might be in trouble with this new lawyer. She’s really got their number……and Gibb’s too. Loved that he asked her if she was ever a redhead and that he even snapped a little at Ducky, a very rare occurrence. Oh yeah, I agree with Ducky, she’s getting to him.

The team fooling the captain into thinking they were after Banshee when they were really after him.

McGee getting to “fly” a jetpack….from the ground, but hey, I’m sure he still enjoyed it.

Tony’s sideway glance at Gibbs when he talked about Hart’s “icy blue eyes”. Too funny as I think everyone in the world has described Gibbs’ (and Mark’s) eyes with that exact same phrase.

Gibbs figuring out that there was a connection to Colonel Bell and Hart. Ooooh…this could get interesting.

Overall a great “McGee-centric” episode that let our little Probie spread his wings a little.

More NCIS….
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”

Pauley Perrette (and Santa) in NCIS, season 7, episode 10 “Faith”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

Call me a softie, call me a baby, call me a girl…..call me whatever you want but the ending of this episode had me choked up and I’m not afraid to admit it. I got choked up at the end of last year’s Christmas episode too, but this one beat that moment by far. This time rather than just one happy “aw shucks” ending, we got no less than three.

First off Gibbs and his father were at odds with each other through the whole episode. Gibbs finally finds out what’s happening with his dad and we get our first touching moment as a son has to console a father who has been forced to take a life.

Second is the story of Tony and his Secret Santa gift. Apparently the woman whose name he pulled out of the hat this year is known as a major grump and he doesn’t know what to get her. Ziva convinces him to “kill her with kindness” and we get the second moment that made me tear up. Tony took the time (by snooping into a personnel file, but that’s just how Tony does things) to find out that when she was a little girl, “Miss Grinch” never got the doll she always wanted. When Tony presents the now adult woman with the doll, the look of happiness on her face (as well as Ziva’s look of pride in the background), brought on the water works.

Finally we had McGee and a little boy who just wanted to see his mom for Christmas. Since the mom was on a destroyer in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this was not an easy task, but one especially suited to McGee. I knew all along that he’d make it happen but still, when he did I was blubbering once again. As our very own (not so tiny) Tim told the little boy to close his eyes and make his wish, I had to wipe away the tears. Then when mom came on the screen, I was a goner.

The fact that the whole ending sequence was done to the tune of Blue October’s “Kangaroo Cry” (which just so happens to be one of my favorite songs from the original NCIS soundtrack), didn’t help matters at all.

Other highlights….

Finally seeing lots of snow on this show. I know it’s hard for them to shoot but whatever…yay snow!

Gibbs calling Tony “bubble butt”

Finding out that Gibbs builds toys at Christmas for kids in a children’s hospital.

Tony and Ziva getting into an old fashioned bar brawl with a bunch of “red throats”.

Ziva quietly saying “he knows something” as Tony was interrogating a suspect on the other side of the glass. The way she said it, it felt like she knew Tony would get the message. Once again it shows me how close this team is and how well they know each other.

McGee gleefully jumping up and running over to Ziva’s desk so that they could both enjoy Tony’s discomfort over talking to “The Grinch”. It’s something that Tony would have done and I’m getting a kick over seeing McGee acting so much like his “older brother”.

Abby’s skeleton oven mitts (I so want a pair now) and the ginger bread Abby cookies she made for everyone.

Ziva’s beautiful blue coat. I want one of those now, too.

Ducky saying “there is a roose to be goasted”. Drunk Ducky is awesome….even if he was just faking it.

Gibbs’ hand gently rubbing his father’s shoulder as they talked about the shooting. Gibbs does that sometimes when consoling people and I just think it’s so sweet. It’s like since he doesn’t usually use a lot of words, he makes up for it with gestures like that.

McGee kissing Abby on the cheek after she told him he’d make a good Santa and their hug. So cute!

Overall a truly heartwarming Christmas episode that helped me to get even more into the spirit this year.

More NCIS….
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”

Michael Weatherly, Mark Harmon and Sean Murray in NCIS, season 7, episode 9 “Child’s Play”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

I realize this is coming a bit late but as I took most of the week off last week for the holiday, plus the fact that most shows are now going off on hiatus, I didn’t think anyone would mind.

This episode was the first ever Thanksgiving themed one and I enjoyed it a lot. Of course it had the team all contemplating their holiday when a case puts a wrench into their plans. Full of lots of warm hearted moments, thanks to a story that centered around a very smart little girl, it was perfect for the season. It also allowed the writers to put the entire team together on the holiday and acting like a family, which is something that I always enjoy.

Highlights…

When the kids found the body, for some reason I was totally reminded of the Supernatural episode “Scarecrow”

Realizing that McGee and I have lost the exact same amount of weight. He looks way skinnier than me though. Darnit.

Aw poor Ducky, no one can go to his Thanksgiving dinner. One has to wonder, why did he wait till the last minute to ask everyone?

Why does it not surprise me that Tony is going to a poker tournament for Thanksgiving?

Ziva using Tony as a ladder so that Gibbs could get an idea of what was surrounding the body – hilarious!

Tony’s Real Genius reference. I LOVE that flick!

Gibbs talking to the girl, Angela, was sweet. I love it when they give him a chance to be a big softie, which only really happens with kids. Not that I don’t love my tough Gibbs too, it’s just nice to see the other side of him every one in a while.

I also love seeing a bit of a serious Tony for a change as he questioned the gang member. Once again, don’t get me wrong, I like goofy Tony but I always enjoy seeing his other side too.

Hearing one of my favorite songs from the new NCIS soundtrack – “That Time of Year” by Sick Puppies. (see my review of the CD here). I thought it worked well in the scene where Gibbs goes back to get Angela.

Abby using her awesome forensic skills…..to figure out the recipe to her great Aunt’s cranberry sauce recipe.

“Gibblet” – LOL!! Nice one, Abs.

Okay so it does surprise me that Gibbs has turned down each of Ducky’s previous invitations to Thanksgiving. I wonder where he goes? Personally I think he might spend the day at the cemetery, at his wife and daughter’s graves. It sounds sad but maybe that’s the one day he lets himself grieve.

OMG I so love that Angela turned the elevator off to talk to Gibbs. That was brilliant and I’m sure it was the last thing he expected. Turn about is fair play though, isn’t it?

I don’t know if they write it or if it’s just Michael Weatherly doing his own thing but I dig it when Tony chews gum. Makes him seem more real because people do that all the time but I hardly ever see people doing it on tv.

Abby knowing that “jiffy” actually means 1/100th of a second. I learn something new from this show every week.

Wow, Angela hid not only a poem but a frequency jamming signal in her art. Wow, really smart kid.

Another headslap! Woot!

When Angela touched Gibbs’ hands it brought back so many memories for me. Remembering being little and examining my dad’s hands, calloused from his work as a plumber.

Ziva making a disgusted face Tony’s clam chowder. Too funny….especially when he regretted eating it after a ride with Gibbs at the wheel.

Angela signaling Gibbs to wait so she could get inside to her mom and lead the team to the bad guy. Once again, smart girl.

Wow. The whole exchange between Gibbs and Ziva was awesome. I love how confident he was that she would make the shot. He knows his team and their capabilities so well.

Aw….the team gathered for Thanksgiving at Ducky’s after all and even Gibbs came by. I love it when the team acts all family-like.

Overall a good showing from the series’ first ever Thanksgiving themed episode.

More NCIS….
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”

Team Gibbs searches for criminals the old-fashioned way in NCIS, season 7, episode 8 “Power Down”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

This week’s episode was so much fun to watch. I sometimes forget what it must have been like for investigators back in the day to search for criminals without the help of all the stuff we take for granted. Cell phones, computers, faxes – all of them make a huge difference. I really liked how the show threw in every bit of old technology they could, from Polaroids to mimeograph machines. Watching the team solve a case while “unplugged” just shows us that they really are the best, even without all the fancy gadgets.

Highlights…

Geeky dude calling for his mom as soon as the internet goes down. LOL.

The city blacking out and the end of the credits, nice touch.

Jimmy so excited about his very first “sit rep”.

Ziva and McGee stuck in an elevator all night. You know, as cranky as they were with each other, I agree with Ziva that it would’ve been way worse if Tony was in there with them.

Tony using the traffic cone as a bullhorn.

McGee, even while stuck in an elevator, knowing that Gibbs was behind Tony…..and Tony knowing it too. Those boys know their “dad” very well.

The first part of the scene with McGee and Gibbs in “the farm” – it had some cool camera angles and what sounded like new music. I dug it.

Gibbs handing out the old cameras from his bag. The old Polaroid he gave Tony was exactly like the one we used to have when I was a kid. Too funny!

Tony using the clicker on McGee and the fact that it (strangely) seemed to work.

Tony, McGee and Ziva all running to their desks to do their searches, seemingly forgetting that the power was out.

Abby already flipping out because of the lack of power……before the batteries die in her radio.

Seeing the old mimeograph machine. Like Tony, I think the last time I saw one was in the 4th grade. Though, unlike Gibbs, I don’t think I ever really learned how to use one. I do remember how the paper smelled when it came off of one those though.

Ducky giving up one of his drawers for people to store their lunches. I really don’t know if I could store my lunch in a body drawer….

All eyes going to Tony when they realize it’s not Ziva who’s wearing perfume.

Poor McGee buried in paperwork and getting tons of paper cuts kinda brings me back to a job I used to have about ten years ago. Let’s just say I can sympathize.

I do love that Gibbs always has what anyone on his team needs – from cameras, to food, to bandaids. He’s got it all.

Oooh….a Chevy Impala. Oh, but it’s a ’99. Sigh. Sorry, but I’m partial to the ‘67’s. The new ones are just not nearly as pretty.

LOL! McGee said Tardis!

LOL again! Tony asking “Dr. Who, who watches that?” – especially funny to me as I have many friends who watch the show, totally understand it’s appeal, but still haven’t been able to get through more than one or two eps myself.

The Polariods replacing the normal picture stills they flash on the screen. Once again, nice touch.

McGee so very happy to be back in MTAC with all his toys, then rubbing it in Tony’s face and using the clicker back on him too. I also loved that Gibbs caught him doing it and totally didn’t mind. Daddy knows his boys so well.

Abby using lemons to power her radio. Awesome! Though in my school, I think we used…..potatoes?

Abby and the team searching for fingerprint matches the old-fashioned way, all night long.

Tony’s cop show references actually help the case. The bad guys swapped a real server for a bugged one.

Abby distilling her own non-alcoholic whiskey.

Abby figuring out that the dead Lieutenant was actually kidnapped and tried to keep the bad guys from using her to unlock the door. So awesome.

Tony doing the old cop show voiceover…..oh and also can I just say how incredibly hot he looked in that long coat? Holy moly! Well done to the costume department.

Gibbs’ Hawaii Five-O reference. “Book’em DANOzzo”. – Love it!!

Gibbs telling the grieving husband that his wife was a hero.

The team remarking how much they enjoy being unplugged. Right up until the moment the power comes back on and they all go running back to their computers in joy…….as Gibbs turns his off. Too cute.

Overall a fun episode that showed us how NCIS might have been had it been shot in the 80’s.

More NCIS….
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”

Director Vance and Team Gibbs work together on a case in NCIS, season 7, episode 7 “Endgame”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

Returning from her visit on NCIS:LA, Vance’s longtime foe is in D.C. and on an apparent killing spree. Team Gibbs is called in to solve the mystery of the woman that Vance has been chasing for most of his career. Along the way, McGee is given a little romance and Tony and Ziva continue to do the dance they do so well.

Highlights….

The way Gibbs said “Get out of his desk.” to Tony – like he’s had to say it a thousand times and it’s become a routine.

Ducky addressing Vance as “Jethro” before he saw who it was. Who can blame him? It’s not like Vance ever goes to the crime scene.

Tony giving McGee the most ridiculous dating advice I’ve ever heard. Squirt guns? Madonna? Really??

The looks on Tony and McGee’s faces right before they dove out of the way of the shotgun toting woman. Hiliarious!

Tony and McGee arguing over who was going to uncuff the crazy nurse. Oh yeah, they were both scared of her, no doubt about it.

Kai leaving a hair tied in a bow. Man, that must’ve been hard to do.

Vance’s wife refusing to leave his side. The more I see her, the more I dig Vance’s wife. She’s awesome.

The way McGee walked off the elevator after spending some time with his new girl and the fact that Tony said he was proud of him…..and a little jealous.

Okay whoa, I’m with Ziva. Agent Dunham does “clean up nice”. I’m digging that accent of his too.

Tony following Ziva into the women’s room. Ha! Turn about is fair play, Zee-Vah.

Ziva telling Tony to stop being such a big brother, but then admitting that she wasn’t really interested in Dunham as she’d had enough of men like him in her life. Hmmm…seems to me she could’ve been talking about Tony too. After all he’s a field agent too. Maybe this will put an end to all the Tiva stuff?

Then again, when Ziva said that “brute force is very intriguing.” – and when Tony asked who she was talking about, she gave Tony a very interesting look. Oh, how this show likes to tease us.

Abby asking McGee about his new girlfriend and then talking about Eric from the LA office. Seems like she was trying to hint that she liked Eric but she looked almost sad when McGee walked out. Interesting…

Gibbs once again saying a whole hell of a lot without opening his mouth. The way he looked at Vance when the shooting of Pak Su Ji came on the tv (right after he told Vance she would be coming for the guy) was awesome. The “I told you so” was there but of course Gibbs didn’t actually have to come out and say it.

McGee thinking that White Heat and White Nights were the same film. LOL.

Tony telling McGee that the copy room door locks from the inside. Guess he would know, right?

Okay I know she turns out to be a bad girl but before I knew that I thought that kiss between McGee and his girlfriend in the elevator was really sweet.

“No Caf Pow!” – OMG that’s awesome! They made a caffeine-free version. That rocks so hard.

Well since I saw the preview of this ep, I knew that Amanda was gonna get killed. I was actually sad about that as I thought they shouldn’t have shown us the clip. I felt like I was “spoiled” for the whole episode. I figured she’d get shot because the sniper was after him and he’d be sad…yadda, yadda, yadda. Turns out I was way wrong, which was great! I had no idea she would turn out to be bad guy and was actually shot because Kai was protecting McGee. Man, what an awesome twist! Sorry I ever doubted you, show.

When Vance hesitated to shoot Kai, that his wife did it instead. That can’t have been easy but I really admire her for it. It’s not like she’s a trained agent but she did what she had to do to save her husband.

The final voiceover by McGee. I could be wrong but I don’t think he’s ever done that. In fact, I can’t recall a time that any character has done it. It was a very powerful way to end the episode.

Also, I have to say that the whole storyline with McGee I thought really showed how his character is maturing. A couple years ago it’s a storyline I would’ve figured they’d put on Tony or maybe Gibbs. The fact that they gave it to McGee was great. He’s really growing up.

Overall what was ostensibly a Vance episode also turned out to be a bit of a turning point for McGee as well.

More NCIS….
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”