NCIS MODERATORS' BLOG 21

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NCIS THE SERIES & REAL LIFE

7th September

First and foremost, I should like to thank member TimmyTron for inspiring my blog entry today, I'm truly grateful.

TimmyTron mentioned in a thread about how on NCIS they frequently flout the law to get the baddies and wondered whether this was setting a bad example; and of course the answer is twofold yes and no - if we're talking about entertainment it's fine but if we were talking about real life then no.

Bearing this in mind, I started mulling this over in my head, going back over past episodes, thinking about certain scenes, etc., etc., and of course, they frequently cross the line, and are encouraged to do so by Gibbs and even the director, if gets the job done, depending on the case in hand.

That said of course, this is true in all TV crime series, and even your average policeman will tell you it's impossible to have a solve rate for crime the way TV law defenders do, much less do so in such a short space of time. I think we all realise that it's absolutely impossible to carry out a full post-mortem on a cadaver and write up such a precise report of how the individual died, with all the minor details in the way that Ducky does, or know exactly why the victim died even if it wasn't via a knife or gun. Then of course, we have the speed with which Abby runs DNA tests, gasometries, etc., etc., it's physically impossible however, state-of-the-art the equipment may be or brilliant the forensic scientist. Of course, we can't forget how easily McGee hacks into any system with or without Gibbs' bidding and frequently without a court order; and sub-poenas aren't that easy to get hold of.

We all know, real life is totally different, not to mention considerably lower, financial and manpower resources fewer and requiring detailed requisitioning forms be filed and approved. Likewise, all the various procedures and protocols, which must be followed in the various areas of crime enforcement, add to that the hours of paperwork involved, not to mention the ease with which the baddies are caught and made to talk during interrogation.

If we want to nitpick or pick holes in a crime enforcement series, or any other series for that matter, we could have a field day or several field days. I mean who hasn't scoffed at the way Grissom and co., solve their cases, or the doctors in ER miraculously cure patients - not to mention the fact that in medical series the medical staff always have the stethoscope hung round their neck, whereas in real life that's uncommon, among a whole load of other details.

I do appreciate of course, that these details are important for many viewers, and I'm sure the scriptwriters, directors, producers are too; however, the main reasons for glossing over these details for want of a better word, are: time, money and entertainment. The real world shown exactly as it is on TV, particularly in relation to the jobs we do in our dail lives, really isn't so very interesting and impossible to summarise in an episode of approx. 45 minutes duration.

If we were dealing with a documentary version of NCIS, or any other law enforcement body or medical body, for example, that would be another kettle of fish. However, yet again, are we really interested in Det. Joe Bloggs reading the riot act because rookie office Smith hasn't completed a form properly, or having full details of how a crime report should be written out? Even in the case of documentaries, a lot of these details are left out. Why? Because a large part of what we do in our daily lives is routine, run of the mill, in whatever walk of life, which is one of the reasons why we like watching TV fictional series based on real life occupations so entertaining because they concentrate on the unusual, speed, glamour, call it what you will; and all this serves as an escape valve.

Obviously in real life, it just wouldn't be on for say law enforcement people to ride rough shod over the law, even if we all know that law tends to be an ass; because then we would be living in a state of anarchy.

This is no way is aimed as a criticism of TimmyTron's comment, quite the opposite, particularly as those of you who read my blogs, are aware of how I pick holes in the translations, language, terminology, etc., used - it's a professional defect; so I can readily sympathesise with people, who query these details. However, I am also aware of the fact, that on TV for fictional series to do everything literally by the book so to speak just isn't practical. Nevertheless, the most important details of law enforcement, like reading people's rights or the way they handle guns, etc., is adhered, since naturally scriptwriters, TV producers, directors, cannot blatantly ignore how the real world works, but simply bend it a bit here and there, exaggerating some aspects, downplaying others to provide us with quality entertainment.

LAST UPDATE ON 7th September 2009 10:10 PM - CET
SUBMITTED BY Sorgiña

GIBBS - BOYFRIEND MATERIAL?

6th September 2009

A while ago when I did my blog on Gibbs as father figure, I promised to cover Gibbs as boyfriend in a future blog. So here it is.

One has to wonder just what it is about Gibbs that makes the character a fantasy boyfriend figure to so many women. Yes, he is good looking, sexy and witty. The combination of silver hair and blue eyes is a devastating one.

The downside is that Gibbs has more luggage than a Louis Vutton outlet. Face it, a man with three failed marriages is hardly the catch of the century. In reality most of us would run when confronted with a man like that.

Gibbs is, however, the romantic loner figure so beloved of Victorian melodrama. Handsome soldier loses wife and child in a tragic manner. Tries to recapture the "Love of this Life" in a series of relationships with women who superficially resemble his dead love. Each ends badly, leaving our tragic hero alone and hurting. The character of Gibbs could have been created by Charlotte Bronte, or Victoria Holt.

What elevates Gibbs above messy melodrama is the character's very humaness. Something the anti-heroes of so-called "Gothic" romances lacked. Gibbs is genuinely warm and caring. Able to laugh at himself. His eyes sparkle with warmth. He is capable of forming deep bonds with the women in his life. It's just when sex enters the equation it all goes to pot.

His hobbies aren't exactly inclined towards romance either. Building a boat in his basement while drink bourbon. Not something a lot of women have a deep interest in.

Looked at objectively Leroy Jethro Gibbs is perfect best male friend material. Possibly even Best Friend with Benefits. But look for anything long term with Gibbs and you would be doomed to disappointment.

LAST UPDATE ON 7th September 2009, 6.24AM Australian Time
SUBMITTED BY MargyW

POT POURRI

6th September

A single specific topic didn't come to mind today, hence the 'pot pourri' or miscellaneous selection of topics, my very own mixture of high and low lights so to speak.

Unlike MargyW I don't have a specific list of high / low lights per season, it's more of a general list, essentially because I like the series as a whole, warts and all, as they say. Maybe it's to do with the fact that I happened on the series by chance towards the latter end of S2, LaSexta is notorious for it's non-promotion of this series, and consequently the press too. So, having watched the final 3 or 4 episodes, the Spanish channel automatically commenced with episode 1 from Season1 - and so on. S3 was shown pretty quickly all things considered, unlike S4 and S5, which had us biting our nails waiting for their commencement. S6 arrived pretty promptly approximately one month after it finished in the US. And of course, trying to get hold of the DVDs in the Spanish State is impossible, they're simply not sold, unlike Bones or House or the various CSIs; which means they're not offered in Spanish. In my particular case this doesn't matter since English is my first language, however, what is annoying is that if I don't wish to wait until kingdom come to obtain them I have to purchase Region on Amazon!!

Like most of us on here, I've seen Seasons 1 to 5 several times, as it's constantly repeated on the TV, virtually non-stop, i.e. as soon as one season finishes, the next immediately starts, ad inifinitum. I don't always watch these repeats since I now have Seasons 1 to 5, and having watched them at last in the original, whenever I watch a repeat episode I find more and more faults with translation, voice synch or lack thereof, not to mention the inappropriate voices assigned to the female members of the cast. This is rather sad, because it spoils enjoyment, particularly in relation to certain episodes, such as 6x04 Heartland, to mention but one - as I'm watching S6 first time round I get to see it in Spanish, and frankly the dubbing is getting worse instead of better, unlike the case of Ally McBeal, which as I recall S1 was horrendous, but given the success of this series in the Spanish State, the dubbing improved considerably.

As you can see, my low lights with regard to the series are based on language, essentially due to my profession as a translator, since I am perhaps more acutely aware of these details than others, except for other translators, that is. In fact, one of the favourite topics of conversation when you get a group of translators together here, like my own group, is the quality of dubbing in relation to translation and voice synch, not to mention voice match or mismatch. I mean just imagine if you will the character of Abby speaking with the high pitched voice of a 10 year old!!! To cap it all, the same voice/actress is used for Buffy!!! Add this to the uneven quality of translations - some sections of dialogue are exceedingly well-translated right down to the idiomatic expressions, whereas others are diabolical, and voice synch is not an excuse for this. Furthermore, it's not logical that I, as a hearing person, should be able to lipread what the actors are saying without turning off the sound, well, I'm afraid to say, this happens more often than it should. Although again non-translators or people generally not involved with languages tend not to notice these details, unless they're really glaring.

Highlights for me, are being able to watch the series in English, and relish hearing the different voices, unless you've frequently watched dubbed series / films, you perhaps won't appreciate the beauty of this as those of us, who are forced by circumstances to watch the dubbed versions.

A clear example of this was S4 with the character of Hollis Mann, ably portrayed by Susanna Thompson; when I watched this in Spanish, this character really grated on my nerves, and I honestly think this was one of the reasons why I really detested this character. Then when I got to watch this same season in English, I completely changed my mind, because you know, I got a totally different reading on this character just by the difference in language and voices. The actress who dubbed this character in Spanish, obviously didn't like her very much ,judging by the apathy with which she delivered the lines, which were so void of expression, that it has to be heard to be believed. This is another reason why, I lost out on the emotion in Heartland and several other episodes. Even when you don't understand a language, say for example, Chinese in my case, watching the House of the Flying Daggers in the original with Spanish subtitles was an incredibly moving film, whereas the dubbed version left me cold, the same thing happened with Amenabar's film The Others - Nicole Kidman is also dubbed by the same actress who dubs Pauley in NCIS!!! I think that can give you another clue as to how one's enjoyment can be affected.

So now I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my S6 DVD set, to start enjoying S6, later than the rest of you, it's true, but better late than never if something is worth waiting for as in this particular case.

And so ends, my strambotic ramble, at least I haven't soapboxed as much as I usually do, I hope......

LAST UPDATE ON 6th September 2009 10:00 PM - CET
SUBMITTED BY Sorgiña

SEASON 3 - PERSONAL HIGH POINTS

5th September 2009

Time to take a look at my personal high points of season 3. Season 3 had a lot of high points as far as I am concerned.

Introduction of Ziva David. Has to be the high point of season 3 in hindsight. At the time of her introduction in "Kill Ari Part 1" I did not like the character much at all. I was distinctly unimpressed when Jenny informed Jethro that Ziva was joining the team.
Introduction of Mike Franks. "Hiatus Part 1" marked the introduction of a character who is now a fan favorite. A character that every time I see him, I want to see more.
The episode "Honor Code" with mini-Gibbs. Great episode with lots of warm interaction between Gibbs and Zac. We just don't get to see Gibbs with kids often enough.
"Family Secret" was another high point for me. I loved the fact that Gibbs was prepared to go out on a limb for a fellow marine. I loved him Gibbs-slapping himself at the end. A nice touch.
"Bloodbath" was another personal high point. Abby with not one, but two stalkers, and Gibbs in protective overdrive. I loved the fact the men tried to protect Abby; the women gave Abby the means to protect herself. A great episode with a wonderful ad-lib from Pauley Perrette. One of the few ad-libs that have been left in, in any episode.
I adored "Ravenous". A serial killer on the loose..... and Gibbs brings him down with a bullet in the butt. Just so perfectly Gibbs.

I am sure you all have personal high points for season 3, and I would love to hear them.

LAST UPDATE ON 6th September 2009, 10.04AM Australian Time
SUBMITTED BY MargyW

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MargyW

Gibbs - Boyfriend Material? (page: 1 2)

Oct 3 2009, 7:37 PM EDT by bellswebster

Thread started: Sep 6 2009, 4:26 PM EDT Watch

My blog entry for today is on the viability of Leroy Jethro Gibbs as a boyfriend.

http://cbsncis.wetpaint.com/page/NCIS+MODERATORS%27+BLOG+21

Any discussion/feedback would be great.

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Sorgiña

NCIS the Series and Real Life

Sep 10 2009, 12:44 PM EDT by jml709

Thread started: Sep 7 2009, 4:22 PM EDT Watch

My entry today was inspired by a member's comment, and am extremely grateful to them. As always your feedback is welcomed

2 out of 3 found this valuable. Do you?

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Sorgiña

Pot Pourri

Sep 6 2009, 4:01 PM EDT by Sorgiña

Thread started: Sep 6 2009, 4:01 PM EDT Watch

A ramble on a series of high and low lights re. the series. Your comments as always are welcomed

NCIS SEASON 9 FINALE	jimmy Palmer	Why I like Ziva
What?	NCIS MODERATORS' BLOG S9	What is that makes people not like Ziva?
Brilliant!!!!	Please continue	NCIS Mavericks Page 21
NCIS Mavericks Page 22	Please finish the stories that are posted.	NCIS Mavericks interesting idea of back up team training as Gibbs 2