The Positively Positive

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”

Gibbs’ handiwork is evidence in a shooting in NCIS, season 7, episode 6 “Outlaws and In-Laws”. Image from www.daemonstv.com

Once again, Mike Franks returns to D.C. and once again, trouble follows him. This time, Franks is caught up in a war with his in-laws. Trying to protect his “girls”, he attempts to cover up his daughter in law’s shooting. As always, Gibbs and the team see through the deception and in the end, Franks and his extended family come to an understanding and a grandmother finally gets to meet her granddaughter for the first time.

Highlights….

Finding out that Gibbs’ boats do stay intact when they leave the basement. Personally I thought that maybe he took them apart and started over. So much for that theory.

Ziva knowing the Constitution better than Tony……actually she knows it better than I do, too. What can I say? High School was a long time ago.

Gibbs giving the Kelly, named after his daughter, to his goddaughter. So sweet.

Abby’s enthusiasm over having the Kelly all to herself so she can figure out how Gibbs got it out of the basement.

Ducky comparing Franks and Gibbs to Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday. Seems like a pretty accurate description actually.

The fact that McGee seems to now be a translator of Tony-isms for Ziva. Whenever she can’t understand Tony’s ramblings, she looks to McGee and he explains it. So cute.

Getting a good look at Gibbs’ house, at a room other than the basement. Looks like Gibbs like to bike…and iron. LOL.

Franks nearly shooting Tony when he walked through the door of Gibbs’ home. Considering the fact that the last time the two of them were there, Franks knocked Tony out, I guess that was an improvement.

Ziva telling Franks that she and Tony have been instructed to “sit on the baby”……God, I hope she meant “babysit”.

Tony getting suspicious about the story Franks and Leyla were telling about what happened the day of the shooting. Just in the way he started asking her questions, I knew something was up and figured maybe she was the one who had done the shooting.

Gibbs telling the story about one of the first cases that he and Franks worked on, about the boy and the birdshot.

Leyla’s mother and Franks in interrogation, discussing their differences. Wow, and I thought normal relationships with in-laws were hard. How many take place behind (what I assume is) bulletproof glass?

One of the mercs that attack Tony and Ziva turning out to be Corporal Werth. Love the fact that Tony touched his nose when he figured it out, I’m sure it’s hard to forget someone who broke your nose a couple years ago.

The way Gibbs smiled when Tony made the crack at Colonel Bell. He seemed to get a big kick out of that.

The final scene, Franks and Shada sitting on his porch watching their grandchild play in the sand. Awesome.

Overall a good episode, featuring lots of references to the unusual forms that family can take – Gibbs and his team being the best example of all.

More NCIS….
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”

Adam Jamal Craig, LL Cool J, Chris O’Donnell and Daniela Ruah in NCIS: Los Angeles, season 1, episode 5 “Killshot”

Not one, but two special guests from the original NCIS showed up in this episode. Director Vance came to help the team track down an old enemy of his and though she only helped spoke via phone, Abby helped too. 

Highlights….

Sam suggesting that Callen live on a boat. Since Callen likes to move a lot, I think that’s an awesome idea.

Nate catching Dom filming him with his cell phone. Aw, the probie still has lots to learn.

The team using the huge touch screen to look at all the victim’s documents. So cool.

Hetty catching Nate reading a comic book.

Sam continuing to try and find a place that Callen would like to live. I forget, is Callen staying with Sam? That could explain why he’s so anxious to “help” him out.

As soon as I saw the shooter get in the car I knew it was a woman.

Vance showing up and giving them the lowdown on the shooter and Sam and Callen figuring out that he’s dealt with the woman before.

The whole conversation between Vance and Hetty. Nice to see that these two have apparently been friends for a long time and that Hetty can get the truth out of him about the woman.

Abby! Yay! Though I’m confused. Why was she not in her lab? Cuz that wasn’t it. I wonder if they can’t use the same sets since it seems like Vance never calls from MTAC, despite the fact that he uses that for video conferences on NCIS.

Eric calling Vance “Leon” and quickly realizing that was a mistake. I was kind of surprised when Abby called him that, but I guess she’s earned it. Eric apparently has not.

Sam spotting the assassin on the roof from nothing more than a quick flash.

Kelsi using Nate as a block so that she could read the lips of the couple in the safe house.

Seeing Vance get to act a little bit like an agent, working on catching his old foe.

Dom figuring out from the security system that the second victim knew her killer. That was pretty slick.

The team now having to prove that their original assassin didn’t kill the second victim.

Dom going undercover as a cop. That’s pretty funny when you think about it. An agent pretending to be a cop.

The team going into action to protect the victim’s brother (and possible suspect).

Nate correctly guessing that Vance sent the victim out as bait. Sneaky Leon, very sneaky.

Vance showing up and saying that the assassin must be dead. Ha! I’m with Nate, there’s no way Vance actually believes that. Oh boy…I wonder if we’ve just found this season “La Grenoille”?

After all that everyone has been through, all of them completely wigging out when they find out that Dom lost one of Hetty’s camera buttons. LOL!

Overall another good episode that has the LA team chasing a quarry that I think may just end up showing up again.

More NCIS:Los Angeles…..

NCIS:LA – Season 1, episode 1 “Identity”

NCIS: LA – Season 1, episode 2 “The Only Easy Day”

NCIS: LA – Season 1, episode 3 “Predator”

NCIS: LA – Season 1, episode 4 “Search and Destroy”