NCIS MODERATORS' BLOG 105

Banner Courtesy of Princess_Ila

NCIS IN-JOKES

12th July 2010

Watching "Smoked" again the other night, I started thinking about the show's in-jokes. For those not familiar with the in-joke in "Smoked", it is the following exchanged between Fornell and Gibbs: Fornell: I was on the team that brought down Bundy. I am familiar with sick, charming b*stards. Gibbs: Maybe that's why we get on so well, Tobias. The in-joke? Mark Harmon played Ted Bundy in the telemovie "The Deliberate Stranger".

NCIS probably has more in-jokes than any other television show. They are little gags at the expense of cast and crew, and also sly little winks to the fans of each actor. Spot the references to past work of the actors. "St Elsewhere" has been name checked (for those too young to remember, Mark Harmon played hunky doctor Bobby Caldwell). "Moonlighting" has also been name checked.

The actor's private lives get snuck in from time to time. Tony's acid comment about Jessica Alba, and a victim whose grandfather made a fortune importing Swiss army knives, are all references to Michael Weatherley's own life. Abby comes from Louisiana, as does Pauley. Leon Vance was born in Cincinnati, as was Rocky Carroll. McGee is a navy brat, as is Sean Murray. A discussion in season 4 about "Ares" results in the actors involved in the scene giving their own star signs as those of their characters.

Characters too have often been in-jokes. Several crew members have had their names attached to corpses, villains and small parts. Larry Fuentes, Paul Dafelmir, Ted Martinez and Mark Schilz immediately come to mind.

Donald Bellasario did a couple of small cameos, and audience liaison Harriet Margulies was also in an episode. This has continued into season 7. I am not naming names, but when you get the dvds watch "Power Down" closely. See if you can spot two of the show's writers. As I said, I am not naming names, but I will give you a hint... one recently appeared in a Pauley Perrette video on YouTube. *grins*

Probably the most complicated in-joke of season 7 would have to be the name of the character Margaret Allison Hart. "Harts of the West" was a television series Sean Murray starred in. The mother's name was Allison. In one episode she is romanced (for want of a better word) by a rodeo clown. The rodeo clown was played by Mark Harmon.

LAST UPDATE ON 13th July 2010, 6.36AM AEST
SUBMITTED BY MargyW

SMOKED

11th July 2010

This season 4 episode is one of my all time favorites, and I know is a favorite with many others. Gibbs and Fornell make a shocking discovery when they identify the remains of a serial killer found in a chimney at Quantico.

There is just so much to love about this episode. The secondary story of the team discovering that a) McGee has written a best selling novel; and b) the characters are based on them. It is hilarious to watch as the team deals with "Deep Six" and with McGee. Ziva gets the best revenge. Insisting on driving to the crime scene...with McGee riding unsecured in the back of the truck. I'm surprised Tony didn't come up with a new nickname for him after than...McPinball.

Naturally, as always happens when Joe Spano is on the show, the scenes between Fornell and Gibbs are the highlights. Every single one of them. The Ted Bundy in-joke always has me chuckling as well. The scene with the two of them and Jenny in her office, followed by the scene with the three of them in autopsy with Ducky, culminating in Jenny slowly tearing up the warrant was incredibly funny.

One of the best scenes, however, is Ducky and Gibbs in the squad room. Finally, the coldness between the two men since Gibbs return goes as the air is cleared between them. I always end up with tears in my eyes during that scene. Ducky's pain at Gibbs not confiding in him about Shannon and Kelly. Gibbs realization that he has hurt his friend deeply. Wonderful performances by Mark Harmon and David McCallum. A scene that always drives home for me the reasons I admire both actors so much.

I think, however, the scene that always stays in my mind for days after I watch "Smoked" is Fornell and Gibbs in interrogation with Karen Bright. They know she killed her husband, and Fornell is sympathetic, even comforting towards her. Everything changes when Gibbs gets a phone call from Abby. His quiet but desperate command of "Get away from her, Tobias", and her realization that Gibbs knows she is the serial killer, really elevates this scene. The look on Karen Bright's face always makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. There is evil incarnate.

The final scene, where Gibbs poses the unanswerable question "What was the toe doing in her husband's stomach?" leaves the viewer vaguely unsettled and creeped out as the credits roll.

As befitting a great NCIS episode, "Smoked" has some great lines.

Gibbs: There's a reason they call it fiction, DiNozzo.

Ducky: And the moral of the story is...
Gibbs: Never, ever get married.

Ducky: The life of an artist is never easy, McGee.

Gibbs: If you two have finished playing grab-ass.

Gibbs: McGee! Less talk, more of the computer doo dah.

DiNozzo: Why is the spawn of the FBI sitting at my desk?

Gibbs: The loving husband who murders and eats women who look like his wife. Probably be McGee's next best seller.

Fornell: I was on the team that brought down Bundy. I am familiar with sick, charming b*stards.
Gibbs: Maybe that's why we get on so well, Tobias.

Ducky: It won't be lonely at the Mallard Inn tonight.

Ducky: It made me realize that since your return I've been behaving like...
Gibbs: An ass?

Gibbs: Just tell me what I did to p*ss you off.

Gibbs: You know how I feel about apologies.
Ducky: They're a sign of weakness.
Gibbs: Not between friends. I'm sorry, Ducky.

Jenny: Who did you have to sleep with to get these?

Fornell: You've got that mustache in a box, haven't you?

DiNozzo: Some days this job really sucks.

Fornell: You're enjoying this, aren't you?
Gibbs: Oooooooo. Only a little more than a lot.

LAST UPDATE ON 12th July 2010, 6.37AM AEST
SUBMITTED BY MargyW

JURISDICTION REVISITED

8th July 2010

A lot of people enjoyed my blog on this season 7 episode and gave me heaps of feedback. Thank you all. Given the level of response, I thought I would take another look at the episode.

The humor is this episode is what made it so enjoyable to so many fans. It was pure NCIS wit at it's best. Most respondents found the scene where Tony is talking about Gibbs' house to be the funniest. Gibbs' indignation at having his house described as 'stoic' is an absolute delight.

The scene on the beach attracted a lot of attention too. Hicksi informed me that a dolphin swims past when Ducky is looking out to sea. I am eagerly awaiting my season 7 DVDs so that I can see for myself if this is indeed the case.

A number of people saw Abigail Borin as potential love interest for DiNozzo. Though the same people also pointed out that it was a little creepy, seeing as Borin is a female version of Gibbs. Certainly she seemed a better fit for DiNozzo than for Gibbs. She was a little too reminiscent of Hollis Mann for my liking.

The general consensus was that "Jurisdiction" is one of the best episodes of season 7.

LAST UPDATE ON 9th July 2010, 6.32AM AEST
SUBMITTED BY MargyW

BIRTHDAYS AFOOT IN NCIS

7th July

July is the month for birthdays among cast regulars and recurring cast members. Today 7th July is the birthday of Joe Spano (aka FBI Agent Tobias Fornell), for those of you wishing to post birthday wishes, this is the thread for you: http://cbsncis.wetpaint.com/thread/1638303/Happy+Birthday

Tomorrow Thursday 8th July regular cast members Michael Weatherly and Rocky Carroll celebrate their birthdays on the same day.
For those of you wish to post birthday wishes, these are the threads for you:

Michael Weatherly: http://cbsncis.wetpaint.com/thread/4061013/Michael+Weatherly%27s+Birthday+on+08%2F07%2F10

Rocky Carroll: http://cbsncis.wetpaint.com/thread/4061043/Rocky+Carroll%27s+Birthday+on+08%2F07%2F10

And don't forget in 2 weeks' time on 20th July Muse Watson (aka Mike Franks) will also be celebrating his birthday.

From all of us here, may they all enjoy their respective birthdays in good company, and celebrate for many more years to come.

Y con esto y un bizcocho se acabó lo que se dió.

Uno de enero, dos de febrero, tres de marzo, cuatro de abril, cinco de mayo, seis de junio, siete de julio y San Fermín
Gora San Fermín!

LAST UPDATE ON 7th July 2010 6:00 PM - CET
SUBMITTED BY Sorgiña

Previous Page || Next Page

MargyW	Latest page update: made by MargyW , Jul 12 2010, 4:50 PM EDT (about this update About This Update Edited by MargyW view changes - complete history)
	Keyword tags: MargyW Moderators NCIS Blog Sorgina More Info: links to this page

Threads for this page

MargyW

NCIS In-Jokes

Jul 21 2010, 2:59 AM EDT by Illya-fan

Thread started: Jul 12 2010, 4:37 PM EDT Watch

My blog entry for today:

http://cbsncis.wetpaint.com/page/NCIS+MODERATORS%27+BLOG+105

I look forward to hearing your comments

Do you find this valuable?

Keyword tags:

Post reply

Show Last Reply

MargyW

Smoked - Blog Entry

Jul 14 2010, 9:46 PM EDT by HardKore71

Thread started: Jul 11 2010, 4:39 PM EDT Watch

My blog entry for today:

http://cbsncis.wetpaint.com/page/NCIS+MODERATORS%27+BLOG+105

Any feedback/discussion would be great.