NCIS MODERATORS' BLOG 68

Banner courtesy of Princess_Ila

DEVOLUTION OF ABBY IN SEASON 6 REVISITED

14th January 2010

A couple of months ago I raised the subject of Abby's character in season 6 and how I felt that it had devolved. I still hold that opinion. In fact, it has been reinforced by watching episodes from earlier seasons on dvd. The Abby of season 6 is almost a horrible caricature of the Abby of season 1. That Abby was bright, bubbly, quirky but very much in control of herself. There was none of the whining which characterized the Abby of season 6.

There was unanimous agreement that "Silent Night" was the low point for Abby. She was a complete pain in the butt to everybody. Not one person I have spoken too has actually liked "Silent Night". When asked why, the response is almost always "Abby's behavior".

I do feel that in season 6 the writers confused "childlike" which Abby often was, with "childish" which she became in season 6. Pauley Perrette is to be applauded for doing sterling work with often appalling material.

However, much of this is being rectified in season 7. Abby is once again becoming her bubbly, quirky, mature self. Cassierules summed it up best: "Her music and her clothes are still there, but she comes across more as a quirky professional than a child genius. ...We have still got the Abby moments, like her trying to replicate her cousin's cranberry sauce in Child's Play, but it's not so overblown as the cupcake, and certainly makes a heck of a lot more sense."

LAST UPDATE ON 15th January 2010, 6.35AM AEDT
SUBMITTED BY MargyW

LAST NIGHT'S EPISODE

13th January

How could I not talk about last night's episode, the great 150 episode?!! Haven't even seen the d*** thing yet, although hopefully (albeit wishful thinking) LaSexta will air it before the DVD comes out for those living in the Spanish State. I am one very lucky person in that I shall shortly be seeing it on a copy made for me by Firebirdblue on LJ (many thanks), which means I shall no longer be behind, and can wait for the official DVD to be released.

Anyhow, getting back to the matter in hand, this episode had a tremendous build-up, which started before Christmas when we learnt the inimitable Robert Wagner, aka RJ would be appearing in last night's episode as DiNozzo Snr. And what an excellent choice of actor, albeit a wishful thinking or maybe the marketing hype, but Weatherly and Wagner do seem to bear a certain physical likeness, nothing specific but rather what the French might call a "je ne sais quoi". Not to mention that Wagner has frequently been cast in roles as a wiley individual, and of course Weatherly did play him some years ago in the TV film about Wagner's late wife Natalie Wood.

After this, a lot of 'behind the scenes' photos appeared on how this episode was shot, followed by increasing hype over what would happen, a lot of erroneous assumptions about DiNozzo Snr being an out and out cad/rake, and little less than all out ogre.

Another part of this hype brought to the forefront the rivalry between American Idol and NCIS, and how the ratings would turn out. Well, as was generally expected NCIS was in fact knocked down to 2nd position but within admirable 20.71 Mill. Viewers, which is not to be snuffed at given the competition, and very much in line with the ratings obtained since the season opened in September, giving us to understand that the 6.30 Mill. Viewers more obtained by American Idol, normally didn't watch the TV when AI was on hiatus.

The last ditch marketing hype of course was Weatherly's "entrée" on the Bonnie Hunt Show down a fireman's pole yesterday morning, well worth the viewing if only for said gent's admirable pair of legs, maybe if they'd had Harmon join him entering via the same M.O., well maybe a large percentage of AI's female audience would have turned to NCIS last night ¡me cago en la mar salada!

Anyhow, getting back to the episode in hand, I very much feel I've seen it between #1hotchfan's Episode Recap (always excellent), discussion thread (Member: LoveNCIS generally gives an excellent blow by blow account of the episodes) and Xanthlj's Episode Review (excellent author and episode reviewer on LJ) - I now have a very clear idea about last night's episode, a highly entertaining one at that, and very much "entre pillos anda el juego". The insight we now have into DiNozzo's childhood/family life clearly explains the where and why fors of his often immature behaviour, the clown mask - even you look at it a little closer, clowns are really sad figures, you have only to look at the figure of Pierrot or the opera Pagliacci, where the clowns are very sad characters behind their masks of laughter or court jester. In fact, if you look around you in the world of showbiz, many great comedians have in fact been rather sad figures when off stage (Tony Hancock, Spike Milligan, etc.). We also now understand a little better Tony's constant need for attention and he has become Gibbs' loyal St. Bernard.

Confess I'm greatly looking forward to watching this episode particularly the interactions between Weatherly, Wagner and Harmon - a formidable trio a priori.

All in all, from everything read last night's episode was very definitely a success whatever audience ratings state. Hopefully next week's episode Jetlag will not be a case of TIVA-itis, but the pairing of DiNozzo and Ziva as a foible to catch unwitting criminals "in flagrante delicto".

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

Agur Benhur :-)

LAST UPDATE ON 13th January 2010 9:25 PM - CET
SUBMITTED BY Sorgiña

SCRIPTS OF GARY GLASBERG

13th January 2010

Gary Glasberg joined NCIS at the beginning of season 7 and co-executive producer and writer. He comes with an impressive pedigree, including writing for both Bones and The Mentalist.

So far, Gary has only done two scripts for NCIS. These are:

Endgame: The Leon Vance backstory involving the North Korean assassin, Kai. Powerful and dramatic, "Endgame" is, in my opinion, one of the best episodes of season 7. Gary also wrote the NCIS: Los Angeles set up story "Kill Shot" that introduced us to Kai.

Faith: This years warm and fuzzy Christmas episode. One heck of a change from "Endgame". Brought back the much loved character of Jackson Gibbs and gave us a glimpse into the softer side of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Who knew the man spent his time making toys for children in hospital?

So far, these are the only two scripts Gary has written for NCIS. However, given the sheer quality of his work, I am sure we will get many more excellent scripts from Gary Glasberg.

LAST UPDATE ON 14th January 2010, 6.18AM AEDT
SUBMITTED BY MargyW

MIND GAMES

12th January 2010

The season 3 episode "Mind Games" is something of an old fashioned thriller. In the days leading up to his execution, serial killer Kyle Boone wants to cut a deal with the man who caught him...NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

This episode is tense and dramatic from the very start. Much of this has to do with the on screen chemistry between Mark Harmon and Christopher Shyer who played Kyle Boone. It is a dark, intense dance macabre between the two characters.

Christopher Shyer, in my personal opinion, should have at least got an Emmy nomination for his role as Boone. For a one time villain, it was one of the most fleshed out performances I have ever seen. Actually, the more I think about it, the more Shyer's Boone reminds me of Mark's portrayal of Ted Bundy. The same level of underlying menace lurked throughout the entire performance. Frankly, Kyle Boone was terrifying.

Lightening this episode was the interactions between Tony and Paula Cassidy who is subbing for a week. Tony's snaffling of her birth control pills and Paula twisting his arm up his back and pinning him to his desk was a great scene.

The scenes after Paula's abduction with Tony blaming himself were good too. The very best scene had to be at the end. As Paula, with her arm in a sling, steps into the corridor in front of Boone. Boone's collapse as he realizes his plan has gone wrong and he is going to fry was magnificent.

"Mind Games" also gave us some brilliant lines.

Tony: He's scheduled for a government sanctioned dirt nap on Saturday.

Tony: Look on the bright side.
Paula: What bright side?
Tony: You're only here for a week.

McGee: You two might want to look busy. Gibbs is coming and he looks pissed.

Gibbs: They say it can take up to four minutes to die in the chair. Me, I hope it takes longer.

Gibbs: The next time you see Boone, he'll have thunderbolts shooting out of his ass.

Boone: You show me my scrapbook one more time, and I'll draw you a map even a Marine can follow.

Gibbs: You have my word that he will be in perfect health for his execution.

Boone: You're bluffing.
Gibbs: You're dead in 36 hours.

Paula: I'm afraid your lawyer's going to miss your execution tomorrow.
Tony: He's kind of dead.
Gibbs: Enjoy Hell.

LAST UPDATE ON 13th January 2010, 6.29AM AEDT
SUBMITTED BY MargyW

Previous Page || Next Page

MargyW	Latest page update: made by MargyW , Jan 14 2010, 2:38 PM EST (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

Devolution of Abby in Season 6 Revisited

Oct 20 2010, 10:00 PM EDT by hadapurpura

Thread started: Jan 14 2010, 2:36 PM EST Watch

My blog entry for today:

http://cbsncis.wetpaint.com/page/NCIS+MODERATORS%27+BLOG+68

Thanks to everybody who took part in the original discussion.

Do you find this valuable?

Keyword tags:

Post reply

Show Last Reply

Sorgiña

Last Night's Episode (7.12 Flesh and Blood - 12/01/10)

Jan 14 2010, 10:41 AM EST by rosecake

Thread started: Jan 13 2010, 3:28 PM EST Watch

A bit of waffle on last night's episode, with links to recap and review. Comments welcome as always.

Do you find this valuable?

Keyword tags:

Post reply

Show Last Reply

MargyW

Scripts of Gary Glasberg

Jan 13 2010, 10:10 PM EST by bellswebster

Thread started: Jan 13 2010, 2:19 PM EST Watch

My blog entry for today:

http://cbsncis.wetpaint.com/page/NCIS+MODERATORS%27+BLOG+68

As always, any feedback/discussion would be great.

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