Any of you that have HD Net, next Wednesday 3/18/09 at 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm Eastern, the backdoor pilot for NCIS which appeared on JAG will be airing in HD, for any of you interested and like me never had the opportunity to catch the real pilot in HD.Thanks for letting us know. I've already programmed my DVR for both episodes via D*'s online service.

Thanks for the heads up. I occasionally watch Jag on HD Net but will definitely catch this episode next week.

If you've never seen it before, it is worth a look....if for nothing else one particular scene with Abby. :)

Thanks for the heads up. I too used the DirecTV online scheduler. That's the first time I've used it.

TerryB

My wife and I are still trying to figure out something from last night's NCIS.

What was the big deal about the corpse having had eye surgery?

Yeah, I didn't unerstand that.

Vance's wife is pretty :p ha

What was the big deal about the corpse having had eye surgery?The big deal is that the dead boxer was really Vance and Vance (presumably) was really the dead boxer---they switched identities.

If you remember, Vance was a Marine and left the service because of detached retina---at least that's the story that Vance told his wife and Gibbs.

Now we learn that the dead boxer had a detached retina and Vance was insistent that he was a Marine, though there was no record of him being in the military.

So at some point after leaving the service, Vance and the boxer switched identities. Then the new Vance went on to meet his wife and eventually became director of NCIS, while (the real) Vance continued as a boxer.

ANd that would explain why the fake Vance was such a good boxer.... he was the champ. Very weird episode.

ANd that would explain why the fake Vance was such a good boxer.... he was the champ. Very weird episode.

I've never been a big fan of the Vance character, NCIS hasn't been that great this year to me, it's still in my top 5 and is must see, but I'm just not loving it like I did in past years, I thought last year was one of the best, this year seems kinda blah for some reason. I guess all good shows have their arcs that don't work for certain viewers, I guess this is that year for me.

The big deal is that the dead guy was really Vance and Vance (presumably) was really the dead guy---they switched identities.

If you remember, Vance was an Marine and left the service because of detached retina---at least that's the story that Vance he told his wife and Gibbs.

Now we learn that the dead guy had a detached retina and Vance was insistent that he was a Marine, though there was no record of the boxer being in the military.

So at some point after leaving the service, Vance and the boxer switched identities. Then the new Vance went on to meet his wife and eventually became director of NCIS, while (the real) Vance continued as a boxer.

OK, that would all fit. Good job.

What's still missing is the motive for doing it.

The big deal is that the dead boxer was really Vance and Vance (presumably) was really the dead boxer---they switched identities.

If you remember, Vance was a Marine and left the service because of detached retina---at least that's the story that Vance told his wife and Gibbs.

Now we learn that the dead boxer had a detached retina and Vance was insistent that he was a Marine, though there was no record of him being in the military.

So at some point after leaving the service, Vance and the boxer switched identities. Then the new Vance went on to meet his wife and eventually became director of NCIS, while (the real) Vance continued as a boxer.

I am assuming this information is in the CIA file, but it seems that is something that should have been shared before he became the NCIS director. I will be interested in how this plays out.

I am assuming this information is in the CIA file, but it seems that is something that should have been shared before he became the NCIS director. I will be interested in how this plays out.Why would you think that it's in the CIA file? As far as we know, nobody suspects the identity switch except for Gibbs.

Not sure if this fits into this story line but if you remember the final episode last season when Vance became director, he put a document in the paper shredder. I don't know if we ever learned anything about what that document was. I might have missed it if we did.

I never saw anything other than speculation about the shredded document on this site. Never anything in the story lines except Gibbs getting the Vance file from the undercover CIA guy.

I'm speculating that Vance's secret and the reason behind it can't be too bad a problem, just something that will be nagging us for a while 'till it's resolved.



TerryB

One more reminder that the NCIS pilot will air on HDNet today between 6:00 and 8:00 pm Eastern on JAG.

I think we're on to pieceing the puzzle together. Observations from the end of Season 4 to present:

End of Season 4: Vance named new director, feeds a document that appears to be a "Fitness Report" (Military Performace Evaluation) to the paper shreader.

Could the document in question actually be discharge papers to go with the detached retena story?

Gibbs is given a CIA file on Vance as the "Bonus" when given Duckie's CIA file. Gibbs stuffs it into a cabinet in his basement, leaving it unopened.

Duckie had a reason to have a CIA file, he worked at an interrogation facility. Vance didn't, unless theres more to this to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Vance takes the team and goes to Chicago to investigate the murder of a reported ex-Marine, leaving Gibbs doing the guessing.

The trip to Chicago was understandable since the victim is a personal friend, but why tie up NCIS assets on the case, while leaving the senior lead agent in the dark? That in itsself sounds almost like a cover up, much like Director Sheppard had with her medical condition last season.

The old man at the boxing club did call him 'Leon'.

That's why I doubt it was swapped identity at present, that we have been watching the "real" Leon Vance this season.


So, if I was to render a guess at what's going on, the Boxer served in the Military using Vance's name, but was discharged due to the detached retina. Option 2 is Vance is covering up his real reason for discharge, possibly dishonorably, for something he did while in the service.

In the coming weeks, I suspect this story will unfold, Gibbs will find the truth (he seems to have a built-in lie detector, so the truth will be revealed). This will all be in time for the season finale (if not part of the cliffhanger), or to tie in to the spinoff pilot that is coming soon (much like how NCIS was a spinoff pilot in an episode of JAG).

I hope Vance gets nailed and thrown off the show I don't like him as the director.

Wait... what spinoff?

I hope Vance gets nailed and thrown off the show I don't like him as the director.

When the change was made originally, I didn't think I would like him either. But I have to say, his part has grown on me. I think he does a good job.

Wait... what spinoff?

See the post a few above this one.

NCIS was introduced during an episode (well, actually 2) of JAG.

See the post a few above this one.

NCIS was introduced during an episode (well, actually 2) of JAG.

He's probably asking about the spinoff from NCIS, there is another spinoff planned, I assume it will be on next season, haven't heard anything lately, but there is a planned NCIS spinoff scheduled.

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/01/69683/index.html

Yes, that's what I meant. Bah, no spin off!

Don't worry---AFAIK, the spin-off isn't planning to take away any of the current NCIS cast.

...and I'm not sure if the Vance story will be featured during the back-door pilot. After all, the spin-off is about

an LA-based undercover unit of NCIS

Don't worry---AFAIK, the spin-off isn't planning to take away any of the current NCIS cast.

...and I'm not sure if the Vance story will be featured during the back-door pilot. After all, the spin-off is about



Do you have any idea when the spinoff episode(s) are supposed to air?

Sometime this Spring I believe I read somewhere...

Sometime this Spring I believe I read somewhere...

Here's one that mentions a couple of the actors that will probably be in the spinoff. From other browsing, it will be a 2 parter.

Also don't forget that next week, NCIS will be on at 9:00 pm Eastern, bumped up an hour because of the presidential address.

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/02/ncis-scoop-chri.html

Also don't forget that next week, NCIS will be on at 9:00 pm Eastern, bumped up an hour because of the presidential address.I would call that "bumped back" an hour.

He's probably asking about the spinoff from NCIS, there is another spinoff planned, I assume it will be on next season, haven't heard anything lately, but there is a planned NCIS spinoff scheduled.

http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/01/69683/index.html

OIC. So....NCIS-LA, followed by NCIS-NY, then NCIS-Miami......:eek:


What makes NCIS great is the ensemble cast....not the fact that they investigate military crimes.

OIC. So....NCIS-LA, followed by NCIS-NY, then NCIS-Miami......:eek:


What makes NCIS great is the ensemble cast....not the fact that they investigate military crimes.

Amen the cast makes the show otherwise I don't think I would watch. Maybe Kate will come back for the spinoff

Amen the cast makes the show otherwise I don't think I would watch. Maybe Kate will come back for the spinoff
NCIS: Return of the Dead :D

What makes NCIS great is the ensemble cast....not the fact that they investigate military crimes.So who's to say that the spin-off won't also have a great cast?

NCIS: Return of the Dead :D

Kate is one dead person I would like to see come back:D

So who's to say that the spin-off won't also have a great cast?

No one. And I'm not even saying I won't give it a shot---just that it has a pretty high standard to live up to.

No one. And I'm not even saying I won't give it a shot---just that it has a pretty high standard to live up to.

There's not much doubt we'll check it out, since the pilot will be a couple of episodes of NCIS. I recorded the JAG eps(NCIS pilot) last night and have them in my archives now :)

Speaking of casting, etc...I could watch Ziva read the phone book. :)

Kate is one dead person I would like to see come back:D

Definitely!

If there was a switch, don't you think the dead boxer's sister ould have known?

Don't worry---AFAIK, the spin-off isn't planning to take away any of the current NCIS cast.

...and I'm not sure if the Vance story will be featured during the back-door pilot. After all, the spin-off is about

an LA-based undercover unit of NCIS



IIRC Vance was made Director after serviing as the head of a "West Coast" office of the agency. Could the spinoff be used to introduce the new characters as Vance's world begins to collapse in on itsself? An old case getting re-opened?

Remember, in the JAG back-door pilot, Cmdr. Rabb was accused of the murder of a not-so-well-liked lawyer (played by David James Elliott's real-life wife) at the JAG office. Although the case was based on circumstancial evidence, the NCIS team, ran the investigation. Although the part of Kate was not yet cast or introduced, we did see Duckie, Abby, Gibbs and DiNozzo.

All I'm saying is, they can thread the new characters into a two-parter, and allow them to go back their separate ways. The result will be the new show. They've done it before, and can do it again (Lots of shows started life as a back-door pilot - just look at "Happy Days" and the back-door pilots it launched into stand alone series; "Mork & Mindy", "Laverne & Shirley", "Joni Loves Chachi" - but I digress).

"Joni Loves Chachi" - but I digress).

Man that was one he** of a digression. :D

Man that was one he** of a digression. :D

Sorry if the "Encyclopedia of Useless Knowledge" blew you away there :D

Ziva was hot, taking that double-shot stance. :p

Another new favorite NCIS moment (not verbatim):

Ziva: Hi, Gibbs. There's gonna be trouble at the safehouse. Let me put you on speakerphone while I blow two guys away at one time.

Yeah, that was great.

Yeah, that was great.

Most definitely a killer moment. ;)

Yeah, that was great.

It was a hoot...indeed.

Also of note: She put the phone on speakerphone, but Gibbs had to hear the shots to wonder exactly what was happening.

Then he asks: Are you OK?

The NY Post had some information (http://www.nypost.com/php/pfriendly/print.php?url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/04162009/tv/new_cis_164603.htm) about the upcoming two-part backdoor pilot for the NCIS spin-off...

What do I need to query on Hulu to find the original pilot on Jag for NCIS?

What do I need to query on Hulu to find the original pilot on Jag for NCIS?

I would also like to know, plus more.
Any ideas when the original pilot will re-air on HDNet again? I missed it and forgot to set the DVR.

Ice Queen is the name of Part I & Meltdown is the name of Part II of the JAG backdoor pilot for NCIS...

I watch NCIS regularly, but I'm not sure they need another one. Did they figure they can't saturate their schedule with any more CSI's so they're moving onto NCIS instead?

I watch NCIS regularly, but I'm not sure they need another one. Did they figure they can't saturate their schedule with any more CSI's so they're moving onto NCIS instead?

I agree. Enough is enough. Not to mention that over the years they haven't let the characters grow or mature. You'd think that someone would be married by now. Heck...even Grissom (CSI) and Sarah got together. Bring back Tony's "doctor" and let him settle down.

Oh...simply FWIW: USA ran the actual first 2 NCIS episodes (a 2 parter) earlier this week. It was a takeoff on "Air Force One", and was used to introduce Kate.

I agree. Enough is enough. Not to mention that over the years they haven't let the characters grow or mature...Yeah... I find that irksome too. But considering the show's following continues to grow, I guess they don't want to fix it before it's broken (in the ratings, that is).

I agree. Enough is enough. Not to mention that over the years they haven't let the characters grow or mature. You'd think that someone would be married by now. Heck...even Grissom (CSI) and Sarah got together. Bring back Tony's "doctor" and let him settle down.



Some of the characters have actually regressed...Tony in particular. Was hoping he'd be past the frat boy antics...

I think people noticing this show actually worked against it. I was happier when noone knew about it, even though 16million people watched it every week (and more now).

Some of the characters have actually regressed...Tony in particular. Was hoping he'd be past the frat boy antics...Glad to know I'm not the only one who would like to see Tony act his age. :)

This is one of my favorite show, but agree that some of them need to grow up. I also would like the Doctor to come back for Tony.

Glad to know I'm not the only one who would like to see Tony act his age. :)

I think what happened was their ratings went through the roof, they finally got a ton of press and the 'suits' said "NO NO NO....Tony is the funny one! He goofy, wacky! Get him back the way he was!"

I miss Bellisario's hand in this show, even if the rest of the cast/crew don't :-)

Reminder that tonight's episode is Part 1 of the back door pilot for the spinoff series.

I hope Chris O'Donell and LL Cool J aren't annoying.....

If the spinoff has LL Cool J playing "Minority Report" with the video wall every episode that's going to get old really quick. Talk about driving a 1 note gimmick into the ground.

Maybe so...but I want one of those!

One thing I've always liked about this show, as I guess is the case with most non serial shows, is that there is some form of wrap up. I realize this was a "to be cont'd" episode, but most of the episode seemed to set up part 2.

Ziva is still hot though, and Abby is starting to appear more feminine. Just hope they don't keep going down the path of CSI with the uber cool vibe. Very annoying.

I liked the episode fairly well, I'd rather see an NCIS spinoff, as opposed to all the CSI's we have now. It could be an interesting show, I feel pretty certain it will be on the air next fall. I didn't mind the wall, I thought it was pretty cool, McGeek sure did get off on it :D

Gibbs must have dozens of women in his past, a different one seems to turn up around every corner. I miss Colonel Mann, they worked together well IMO.

I liked Chris O'Donnell's role. I kept getting a father/son vibe when he was with Gibbs for what ever reason.

The show is populated with interesting characters, it didn't' seem overly strong at first glance but most shows sort of grow into themselves over the first season. NCIS felt a little off when I watch a few of the first season shows a while back. It might be a good lead into Numbers.

The first time I saw Abby on the JAG episode that introduced her character I was hooked. Same for Tony's first appearance. These new characters, not so much.

I do agree though that any ensemble cast needs time to flesh out the characters so the audience has a chance to care for them----but not one of them was a standout for me.

I didn't see that ending coming!

Is it really the end for that character?

Doug

Is it really the end for that character?

Doug

Since that was the pilot for the spinoff, I guess it would depend on whether that individual contracted for the new series.

I think both of them signed up for the new spinoff, so there will be some serious mending going on.. Good 2 parter..

If he survives or not and I was thinking he had signed on for the new series. It looks like the first couple of episodes will likely be trying to find who shot/killed him.

I didn't get to see it last night, did someone get bumped off?

If he survives or not and I was thinking he had signed on for the new series. It looks like the first couple of episodes will likely be trying to find who shot/killed him.

Looked like his neighbor(the blonde) was involved. She watched and then walked away, she definitely seemed to be involved in the hit.

I didn't get to see it last night, did someone get bumped off?

Not necessarily, though someone was shot. I'd suggest finding the episode online and watching it---it would spoil things by me just mentioning who (but I will say it wasn't someone from the original cast).

Not necessarily, though someone was shot. I'd suggest finding the episode online and watching it---it would spoil things by me just mentioning who (but I will say it wasn't someone from the original cast).

Thanks

The origin of the hit will probably be some previous assignment, but I thought it would be more ironic if the neighbor fingered him solely because of the "show" he was putting on for her...

v/r,
C-F

Looked like his neighbor(the blonde) was involved. She watched and then walked away, she definitely seemed to be involved in the hit.Definitely. O'Donnell mentioned her early in the episode (maybe 1st half show). He said there's a Russian girl that moved in and he was trying to keep her from trying to get to know him by pretending he was Russian mafia. At least that's the way I remember it.

I didn't know there was a new show spinning off from this 2-hour episode. I assume the whole west coast group is the new show? If so, none of the new characters impressed me except for O'Donnell.

larry

I assume the whole west coast group is the new show? If so, none of the new characters impressed me except for O'Donnell.

Exactly, and I think that's going to be one of the challenges for the spinoff.

Exactly, and I think that's going to be one of the challenges for the spinoff.

Yeah, for an ex-Seal LL Cool J's best ability is awkwardly manipulating images on the fancy screen :-) They need to make him a tad bit more intimidating.

It's cool how how Jaime Murray (Lila Tournay on Dexter) has been in the past 1 or 2 (and tonight's) episodes.
Edit: Great ending to tonight's show.

Great ending, and it looks like next week is setting up for a real wild ride.

It's cool how how Jaime Murray has been in the past (...) episodes.It's just weird hearing her speak with an American accent...

It's cool how how Jaime Murray (Lila Tournay on Dexter) has been in the past 1 or 2 (and tonight's) episodes...Can't help but wonder if she is being positioned as Cote de Pablo's replacement. Looks like they might be getting ready to write Ziva out of the script.

Can't help but wonder if she is being positioned as Cote de Pablo's replacement. Looks like they might be getting ready to write Ziva out of the script.Based on what we have seen this would seem a distince possibility. However, I would certainly miss Ziva!

And, if this is the case, why do they always want to get rid of the female agents?

... I would certainly miss Ziva!Me, too.

...why do they always want to get rid of the female agents?Well, it isn't always up the the producers. "Kate" quit because she couldn't deal with the workload. "Ziva" may have other career goals. Or maybe she just wants to return to Chile.

It's cool how how Jaime Murray (Lila Tournay on Dexter) has been in the past 1 or 2 (and tonight's) episodes.
Edit: Great ending to tonight's show.

She has?

So Vance is a counter intel agent per the SecDef? His file was fake but Gibbs knew Vance wasn't who he said he was when he was investigating him in that eppy last month where Vance ran point. Something to do with a scar I believe that Ducky picked up on.

So I think Vance and Ziva have an op going on. He sent her back to Israel after last season. SO maybe she is working against her dad who is the head of the Mossad? A lot of questions. But she was calling director Vance (Hadley) before she went to her apartment.

Depending on how bad DiNozzo is hurt, we might get to see a guest appearance by "Eyes Only". :rolleyes:

Has anybody elses picture quality gone down on NCIS in recent weeks? I have directv and get cbs on D*out of los angeles. The last 4to 6 weeks i have noticed the picture on NCIS has gotten darker more washed out looking,but anything else on cbs looks good in HD ,like the unit, big bang theory, and csi miami. BTW i hope ziva never leaves this show.

She has?
Yup.

Jaime Murray
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1444665/
3- "Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service" .... ICE Agent Julia Foster-Yates
6- "Dexter" .... Lila Tournay

Ok. Maybe she only guest appeared in last night's episode.

Has anybody elses picture quality gone down on NCIS in recent weeks? I have directv and get cbs on D*out of los angeles. The last 4to 6 weeks i have noticed the picture on NCIS has gotten darker more washed out looking,but anything else on cbs looks good in HD ,like the unit, big bang theory, and csi miami. BTW i hope ziva never leaves this show.

Not that I've noticed (and I also have DirecTV).

Has anybody elses picture quality gone down on NCIS in recent weeks? I have directv and get cbs on D*out of los angeles. The last 4to 6 weeks i have noticed the picture on NCIS has gotten darker more washed out looking,but anything else on cbs looks good in HD ,like the unit, big bang theory, and csi miami. BTW i hope ziva never leaves this show.

Yes, I have in Chattanooga, both Directv and Comcast cable, I recorded the Legend two parter and the bit rate was way down compared to what I'd been used to, I use to always get 17 or 18 Mbps video bit rates on CBS, the NCIS recording were just a bit over 10 Mbps and it was noticeable, I thought it was my local station using a new encoder or something, but the pq is definitely down a bit here.

It's just weird hearing her speak with an American accent...

well it wouldn't be if she did it better. you could hear that it was a bit off. shes gotta work on it.

It's cool how how Jaime Murray (Lila Tournay on Dexter) has been in the past 1 or 2 (and tonight's) episodes.
Edit: Great ending to tonight's show.
Yes! I knew it was her but the accent threw me for a second. She was great in Hustle and Dexter. According to IMDB she was only in this weeks episode - Semper Fidelis. And I see we have one more to go this season - phew, I was hoping it wasn't the season finale Tuesday. :)

larry

Wow! What a great season finale.
Too much things to discuss.. Anthony and Ziva really had tension over in Israel.

Well I guess the ending bodes well for next season. Seems to put some rumors to rest.

So did Ziva get snacthed by the terrorist in N. Africa the Mossad was so intent on finding or is this her dad'd doing? And do we know this terrorist or see him before?

WOW what a show last night. didn't see that ending coming at all. the terrorist guy looked familiar but not sure if i remember him from NCIS or another show:cool: come on new shows.

So did Ziva get snacthed by the terrorist in N. Africa the Mossad was so intent on finding or is this her dad'd doing? And do we know this terrorist or see him before?

I think it was her dad's doing. I could be mistaken.

The terrorist was the same actor who played the innocent "terrorist" on 24 this season.

Jack should have kept a better eye on him.

Cote is very enjoyable to watch, but her character makes zero sense to me.

I think she got herself there.

Well I guess the ending bodes well for next season. Seems to put some rumors to rest.

What rumors are you talking about? You can put it in a spoiler tag if you want to.

I think it was her dad's doing. I could be mistaken.

I think she got herself there.

My initial take when I saw it was that it was an assignment from her father as a means of infiltrating the camp, which she accepted to prove herself to him.

What rumors are you talking about? You can put it in a spoiler tag if you want to.

There was speculation that Ziva would be written off the show and replaced (ala kate).

No big secret, lots of talk of killing Ziva off.

Iteki beat me to it//////

There was speculation that Ziva would be written off the show and replaced (ala kate).

Well, I don't think the finale really answered that question. Whether or not she will be around for the entire next season is still up in the air.

Well, I don't think the finale really answered that question. Whether or not she will be around for the entire next season is still up in the air.It reads like a classic contract negotiation ploy. If they reach agreement, they can keep her in next year, if not, she's history. They left both options wide open.

So did Ziva get snacthed by the terrorist in N. Africa the Mossad was so intent on finding or is this her dad'd doing? And do we know this terrorist or see him before?
I am assuming that we will be filled in how Ziva got to the point where the show ended, last night. That was a great season ending episode.

My take is that her father (or someone) set her up. How would the terrorists in Africa know that she worked for NCIS especially since she was sent in with a Mossad "kill" team? I doubt that they carry any ID on covert ops.

Laters,
Jeff

NCIS has always had a way of making season finales memorable.

Since Ziva's conversation with her father indicated he wanted her to finish what her boyfriend had started, I assumed letting herself be captured was part of the plan.

It would be sad to see Ziva go, but it happens. Excellent episode and I yelled at the TV at the end 'cause I knew I had to wait till next season. :)

larry

Ziva is not going anywhere. One of the producers said she'll be back but will be different according to Ausiello. There was never any truth to her leaving the show. Just because there is a cliff hanger doesn't mean they're deciding her fate over the summer.

Question: I just finished watching the NCIS finale. Will Ziva be back next season? Please say yes! --Bethany
Ausiello: Yes, Cote de Pablo will be back next season. But she'll be a changed woman.

Ziva is not going anywhere. One of the producers said she'll be back but will be different. There was never any truth to her leaving the show. Just because there is a cliff hanger doesn't mean they're deciding her fate over the summer.

So...just about the time that the show is pulling its best ratings ever, the odds are that they won't be making any significant changes. When "Kate" was shot by Ari, Sasha Alexander wanted off the show...according to Don Bellasario. I do not think that the movies are calling Ms. de Pablo.

Meanwhile...I do think that some of the story plots this season have been a bit stale. These characters need to progress in some manner...professionally and/or personally to open up new plot line directions. I'm not a big fan of Rocky Carroll's...he's about as interesting as unpainted Chinese sheetrock. How about have Abby and McGee get married? (Since DiNozzo is the official, womanizing "rake".)

Well...we'll all see come September!

Either I didn't let the finale play to the end or I didn't get the entire episode. The last scene I saw was Gibbs kissing Ziva on the cheek and saying "Sayonara" or some such. I thought that was the end and deleted it. From what I'm reading it sounds like there was another segment...WTF :confused:.

Either I didn't let the finale play to the end or I didn't get the entire episode. The last scene I saw was Gibbs kissing Ziva on the cheek and saying "Sayonara" or some such. I thought that was the end and deleted it. From what I'm reading it sounds like there was another segment...WTF :confused:.

The full episode is up on cbs.com if you want to see it. If not:

The final scene was Ziva in an interrogation room very badly beaten...and the question to her was, "Tell me all you know about NCIS".

Yep, you missed the ending. I almost missed it myself, but looked at the time, and figured there had to be more.

Casting news for the spinoff:

HERE (http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2009/06/oscar-winner-linda-hunt-joins-ncis-spinoff.html?xid=rss-ausiellofiles-Exclusive%3A+%27NCIS%27+spin-off+adds+Oscar+winner+Linda+Hunt)

I can't her role as Shadout Mapes (http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0008385/) out of my head every time I see her...

Ahahaha! There's a Dune flashback for ya.

Anybody that missed the NCIS original spinoff JAG episodes the first time around. HDNet is showing the JAG episodes again tomorrow that were the backdoor pilot for NCIS.

Friday - 6/26/09 on HDNet
6:00pm EDT - Ice Queen
7:00pm EDT - Meltdown

Is it only me, but does anyone else think that putting both NCIS's back to back for next season is not a really good idea?

With (two) DVR, it makes no difference to me, as when we watch them depends more on negotiations with the wife. However, the annoying time difference between our DVR's cable-time and the local channels' times means it often catches part of the next show's opening scene on the CBS procedurals. So we sometimes save the watched show just for the opening [whatever they call that make-you-want-to-watch scene]. On other channels, we often miss the previews, so it is likely related to the "Mountain Minute" and I'm not sure how they can fix it.

Wow that strayed pretty wide...

v/r,
C-F

The two NCIS’ being back-to-back doesn’t really bother me. I watch NCIS via On Demand (no commercials) and if NCIS West is also made available then I’ll watch it the same way. If not it’ll get recorded!

I may watch them back-to-back and then again, I may not!

Cool episode tonight.

Gibbs is still cool as a cucumber.. great opening eppy :D

Did I miss something? Gibbs shoots the interrogator from a tremendous distance, then he greets the hostage trio a few seconds later while standing at the end of the hallway?

Did I miss something? Gibbs shoots the interrogator from a tremendous distance, then he greets the hostage trio a few seconds later while standing at the end of the hallway?

Scratched my head on that one, too.

You didn't know that teleportation pads were part of the standard NCIS kit??

I'm with you folks, had to throw a major b.s. flag on that.

What a weird way to end a pretty good episode. And what, no new shirts to be found between Africa and D.C.?

If "truth drugs" really existed and were both effective and free of dilatory side effects, would it still be objectionable using them because that wouldn't be "playing fair" with the bad guys?

Did I miss something? Gibbs shoots the interrogator from a tremendous distance, then he greets the hostage trio a few seconds later while standing at the end of the hallway?

It's all part of the Gibbs mystique, like how he's always right behind when you say something wrong when he wasn't there just 2 secs earlier. :D

Was it me or did this show look horrible last night? I had bad grain; looked like an old movie type feel to it. Then in contrast the NCIS LA show had a lot of pop to it. I know NCIS always had a red push issue but this looked nasty last night.

Scratched my head on that one, too.It's TV. :) Excellent episode. Nice little surprises along the way.

larry

Yep, besides Gibbs teleportation act, the dirty clothes thing also raised an eyebrow.

Loved the line by Tony, "So, what did you do this summer?"

NCIS...thumbs up

NCIS/LA...thumbs down: constant chaos, totally improbable HQ, not particularly appealing characters, except Linda Hunt. No better...maybe worse than last season's "pilot" episodes.

NCIS...thumbs up

NCIS/LA...thumbs down: constant chaos, totally improbable HQ, not particularly appealing characters, except Linda Hunt. No better...maybe worse than last season's "pilot" episodes.

It reminds me of the majority of the CBS crime dramas and even though they draw great numbers, I'm not a big fan of any of them with the exception of the real NCIS, I've watched nearly all of them at one time or the other, but over time NCIS is the only one I've continued to watch.

NCIS/LA...thumbs down: constant chaos, totally improbable HQ, not particularly appealing characters, except Linda Hunt. No better...maybe worse than last season's "pilot" episodes. And why isn't it set in San Diego rather than LA? That's a pretty elaborate subordinate office. ;)

I know, it's TV; it isn't supposed to make sense. And most TV execs couldn't find any city in the country on the map, other than NYC, LA, and DC. :rolleyes:

It was almost like a pilot episode. Lots of back story for the uninitiated. Interesting way to do that - and not use flashbacks from previous shows.

I figured there was a escape plan, but what actually went down was way better than what I imagined.

Interesting shot of Ziva's expression at the end.

Kudos for the opening (non-LA) episode. Sort of a Star-Wars rescue Princess Leia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Leia_Organa) theme. Puzzled about Gibbs' teleporting-like appearance, too, although of course he used a silenced motor bike. :-). NCIS/LA wasn't too bad either; fresh bad guys to tackle. -- John

While the Gibbs teleportation was bad, no one here is mentioning what happened before that--Gibbs shooting the bad guy. Amazing timing that he shot the bad guy exactly when Tony said, "you remember when I said my boss was a sniper?"

Why would Gibbs wait? As soon as he saw Ziva, he should have shot the bad guy.

While the Gibbs teleportation was bad, no one here is mentioning what happened before that--Gibbs shooting the bad guy. Amazing timing that he shot the bad guy exactly when Tony said, "you remember when I said my boss was a sniper?"

Why would Gibbs wait? As soon as he saw Ziva, he should have shot the bad guy.

Then you would have missed the, "Here's the windup, here's the pitch...."

loved the show:):) this is my favorite show of all time.

While the Gibbs teleportation was bad, no one here is mentioning what happened before that--Gibbs shooting the bad guy. Amazing timing that he shot the bad guy exactly when Tony said, "you remember when I said my boss was a sniper?"

Why would Gibbs wait? As soon as he saw Ziva, he should have shot the bad guy.

Before Tony said that, he told the guy he had "30 seconds to live". I guess the rest was just filler until Gibbs did his thing. Wouldn't want any uncomfortable silences or anything...

EDIT:
One of unplausable thing: Gibbs not only took out the main bad guy, which could happen, since he was near the window, but he then took out the guard that was a foot or two inside the doorway. From Gibb's elevation and distance, he couldn't have even seen the guard's feet. Oh well, it's television, still loved the episode.

No one has mentioned the real glaring error on the show: Abby's missing back tattoo. She used to have a huge cross on her back. It was even in the opening credits two years ago. But at the end of this episode, we see her back when she's hugging Ziva and all that's there is an off-center flower outline...

No one has mentioned the real glaring error on the show: Abby's missing back tattoo. She used to have a huge cross on her back. It was even in the opening credits two years ago. But at the end of this episode, we see her back when she's hugging Ziva and all that's there is an off-center flower outline...

Tat's very perceptive of you. :D

Couldn't they have let the three stop somewhere long enough to get a shower before they went back to DC?

Couldn't they have let the three stop somewhere long enough to get a shower before they went back to DC?

Now who'd want to see a shower scene with Ziva? (line forms to the right :D)

Couldn't they have let the three stop somewhere long enough to get a shower before they went back to DC?

If it was a covert op on foreign soil (the uninvited kind) it's not likely. Get in, get out, no stops in between. No tricky questions. ;)

Ziva, you've been held captive all summer by some lovely folks. Forget medical care, visits with the shrinks, going back home to see your father, your other employer, etc....we've got to get you back to your cubicle at NCIS!

Ziva, you've been held captive all summer by some lovely folks. Forget medical care, visits with the shrinks, going back home to see your father, your other employer, etc....we've got to get you back to your cubicle at NCIS!

Well, if you're going to be that way, just remember that the real NCIS wouldn't be executing that type of op in the first place. ;)

They couldn't take the time for a clean-up because of the time it takes to fly that C-130 four engine turbo prop (the one they flew to Israel) from Somalia back to the states (estimate 4000 nautical miles great circle).

Still really enjoyed the ep.

TerryB

It would be sad to see Ziva go, but it happens. Excellent episode and I yelled at the TV at the end 'cause I knew I had to wait till next season. :)

larryI held back watching the last 2 episodes from last season and watched them along with this season's opener last night... Wow, good plan and good opener!

Well, if you're going to be that way, just remember that the real NCIS wouldn't be executing that type of op in the first place. ;)

...well if you're going to get all technical and everything :rolleyes:

AT least they're not set in LA.

Did I miss something? Gibbs shoots the interrogator from a tremendous distance, then he greets the hostage trio a few seconds later while standing at the end of the hallway?
Yeah, I didn't like that either as a sniper he was probably the way they showed it at least a half a mile away or more there was no way in the amount of time showed for him to get there. It would have been better and more realistic to have them come around the corner and have a couple of Special Forces guys standing there.

I chalk this up to the mystique of Gibbs. I think they did that on purpose. Come on Gibbs is everywhere people!

I chalk this up to the mystique of Gibbs. I think they did that on purpose. Come on Gibbs is everywhere people!

That's the only way you can look at it. Kind of like how Gibbs gets the boats out of his basement, I don't believe that's ever been explained. I believe they've explained that he burns them, but obviously, he wouldn't burn one while it's still in the basement.

That's the only way you can look at it. Kind of like how Gibbs gets the boats out of his basement, I don't believe that's ever been explained.

The fourth wall has a big door in it. :)

That's the only way you can look at it. Kind of like how Gibbs gets the boats out of his basement, I don't believe that's ever been explained. I believe they've explained that he burns them, but obviously, he wouldn't burn one while it's still in the basement.

The fourth wall has a big door in it. :)

I don't remember which episode it was in, but I vaguely remember a character asking that question and the answer was that it was broken up and removed.

Must have missed or forgotten something. What's with the scenes/discussions yesterday about Ziva killing her brother! along with the brief flashback to the Gibbs sniper shot? -- John

Must have missed or forgotten something. What's with the scenes/discussions yesterday about Ziva killing her brother! along with the brief flashback to the Gibbs sniper shot? -- John
she killed her brother in Gibb's garage some seasons back. I think Gibbs found it really strange that she never broke down over it. The only reason for hiding that emotion would be? IF she were acting to win his trust and hiding any hatred of Gibbs because of what her assignment made her do. I dont think he felt he could really trust her until he saw her real emotions over it.

she killed her brother in Gibb's garage some seasons back. I think Gibbs found it really strange that she never broke down over it. The only reason for hiding that emotion would be? IF she were acting to win his trust and hiding any hatred of Gibbs because of what her assignment made her do. I dont think he felt he could really trust her until he saw her real emotions over it.

That's not quite it. Gibbs suspected that she had been ORDERED to kill her brother in order to gain NCIS' trust and get her way in. That pissed him off that she could kill her own brother on orders just to gain his 'trust'.

She responded by saying that she had indeed been ordered to kill him for that reason, but the only reason she took the mission was to prove his innocence. She didn't really believe he was a traitor. Once she realized he was INDEED a traitor, she killed him, but only to save Gibb's life.

He was ok with that explanation.

She killed him in episode 2 of season 3. Kill Ari part 2.

Also, Vance told Gibbs that Ziva's father had ordered her to kill Ari, in order to gain Gibbs' trust. Vance said Ziva's father had been playing Gibbs the entire time, which is why he called her out on it last night.

There's been an ongoing question of trust of her since she showed up. Near the end of Season 3 she hit a drug dealers brother in the elevator and they thought that blow had killed him. The drug dealer then took the director hostage in retaliation. There's always been the underyling notion that Gibbs has never 100% trusted her even though he might tell her he does.

There's been an ongoing question of trust of her since she showed up. Near the end of Season 3 she hit a drug dealers brother in the elevator and they thought that blow had killed him. The drug dealer then took the director hostage in retaliation. There's always been the underyling notion that Gibbs has never 100% trusted her even though he might tell her he does.

For some reason I still don't trust her even after that scene last night, and maybe it was the way it was acted, but I'm not sure Gibbs does either. It would certainly leave open some interesting storylines for the future.

I think Gibbs trusts Ziva more than he trusts Vance...

Yes, I'll agree with that for sure.

There's been an ongoing question of trust of her since she showed up. Near the end of Season 3 she hit a drug dealers brother in the elevator and they thought that blow had killed him. The drug dealer then took the director hostage in retaliation. There's always been the underyling notion that Gibbs has never 100% trusted her even though he might tell her he does.

Though, in that episode, both Gibbs and Ducky kind of covered for Ziva. While she didn't intentionally try to kill that guy, it was hinted that her hit started the domino effect.

There's been an ongoing question of trust of her since she showed up. Near the end of Season 3 she hit a drug dealers brother in the elevator and they thought that blow had killed him. The drug dealer then took the director hostage in retaliation. There's always been the underyling notion that Gibbs has never 100% trusted her even though he might tell her he does.

For some reason I still don't trust her even after that scene last night, and maybe it was the way it was acted, but I'm not sure Gibbs does either. It would certainly leave open some interesting storylines for the future.

Now he trusts her. :)

Good episode tonight.

Now he trusts her. :)

Good episode tonight.

Agreed. That whole cast has just the right chemistry to keep us caring about them. Ziva has been one of my favorites.

Agreed. That whole cast has just the right chemistry to keep us caring about them. Ziva has been one of my favorites.

The end of the episode was the first time Ziva has truly smiled all season. She looked like a giddy schoolgirl. Good episode. This is setting up nicely for NCIS (or just Gibbs) vs. Mossad.

Agreed. That whole cast has just the right chemistry to keep us caring about them. Ziva has been one of my favorites.

I agree with most of the comments re last night's episode. As the series matures, it's necessary to create new areas of interest. One of the things I've noticed in the recent past is the producers' not allowing the characters to mature, or move on with their lives. Will Tony continue chasing skirts into his 50's? Will Abby always have pig tails? Will Gibbs ever get over the death of his family? Will Ziva always play an Israeli with a Spanish accent?

Heavens...the possibilities are endless; however, if the show is to maintain its popularity, some character growth is simply a natural progression.

What's wrong with chasing skirts into your 50's? Lots of us do it. :)

The end of the episode was the first time Ziva has truly smiled all season. She looked like a giddy schoolgirl. Good episode. This is setting up nicely for NCIS (or just Gibbs) vs. Mossad.

Of all the episodes this season, the final shot of Gibbs saying, "Get to work probie" and the freeze frame of her smile were perfect. Ziva is very attractive, but when she smiles...<sigh>.

I agree with most of the comments re last night's episode. As the series matures, it's necessary to create new areas of interest. One of the things I've noticed in the recent past is the producers' not allowing the characters to mature, or move on with their lives. Will Tony continue chasing skirts into his 50's? Will Abby always have pig tails? Will Gibbs ever get over the death of his family? Will Ziva always play an Israeli with a Spanish accent?

Heavens...the possibilities are endless; however, if the show is to maintain its popularity, some character growth is simply a natural progression.
It's a TV show, not real life. Some of the best TV shows in history had "static" characters. And some good shows, when they did change, they their audience. Of course they could change some things, but it's all about $$$ and why mess with something that is working.

larry

How long has Lisa Simpson been in second grade? :)

Does anyone happen to know why so many scenes shot in the NCIS garage contain at least one shot with a high overhead source of sparks? There is so frequently someone up on a scaffold / scissor lift using a grinder or cutting torch with the fan of sparks forming the backdrop of Abby and Magee investigating a vehicle.

Somebody's trademark?

TerryB

Anyone else think this is the worst excuse for HD ever in the history of man? Why oh why does it have to be so blury?

Anyone else think this is the worst excuse for HD ever in the history of man? Why oh why does it have to be so blury?

It's always taken a hit for pq quality...used to be RED. It's never been very sharp. Perhaps for the actor's egos? Dunno.

LOVED last night's analog ep.

It was good, especially Gibbs with his "old school" cameras. :D

It was good, especially Gibbs with his "old school" cameras. :D

not just the cameras...

but walktie talkies... the mimeograph machine... handwriting stuff...

and his grin at the end when it went to the last b&w static shot...

It's always taken a hit for pq quality...used to be RED. It's never been very sharp. Perhaps for the actor's egos? Dunno.

LOVED last night's analog ep. Maybe they switched off the HD to make the episode really analog.. looks like they switched it of for the whole season.. this show was never razor sharp, started out reddish..

I agree with most of the comments re last night's episode. As the series matures, it's necessary to create new areas of interest. One of the things I've noticed in the recent past is the producers' not allowing the characters to mature, or move on with their lives. Will Tony continue chasing skirts into his 50's? Will Abby always have pig tails? Will Gibbs ever get over the death of his family? Will Ziva always play an Israeli with a Spanish accent?

Heavens...the possibilities are endless; however, if the show is to maintain its popularity, some character growth is simply a natural progression.

Tony has not chased a skirt since he fell in love. The pigtails and the bad accent have nothing to do with the maturity of the characters and Gibbs has gotten over the death of his family but this major turning point in his life will always be a part of him. I believe all the characters are maturing.

It's always taken a hit for pq quality...used to be RED. It's never been very sharp. Perhaps for the actor's egos? Dunno.

LOVED last night's analog ep.

I was watching one of the old episodes with the commentary on a couple of months ago and the actors noted how orange they look in the main set where their desks are. They said that is due to all the walls being painted orange, and the set lights reflect the orange walls onto their skin and makes them all have an orange hue.

Just watched this week's episode.

Could they find a day to shoot snow scenes without bright sunshine out? Yikes.

Just watched this week's episode.

Could they find a day to shoot snow scenes without bright sunshine out? Yikes.

That did look ridiculous!

Worst episode in a while. Maybe they'll pick it up in '10.

Worst episode in a while. Maybe they'll pick it up in '10.

Glad someone else said it, because I was thinking the same thing. At first I blamed it on the beer.

I think it was a holiday "feel good" episode more than anything else. They had to throw in some case for them to solve.

larry

I enjoyed it myself...good Christmas episode...

I agree overall the episode was bad. The case they had was badly written out and thought out.

Was this week's plot continuation a one time deal or something they will continue to do? It would be nice if they could string the plots together and end each episode setting up the next episode.

larry

Was this week's plot continuation a one time deal or something they will continue to do? It would be nice if they could string the plots together and end each episode setting up the next episode.

larry

They have occasionally done 2 part episodes, so this is not terribly unusual; however, they've kept this to a minimum because of the complications it causes when syndicating the series. Series such as Lost or 24 are not practical for general syndication, and viewers really need at least a summary background before viewing newer episodes. Even 24, in which an entire scenario/plotline is complete within 24 or less weeks, really needs some background on Jack, etc for a new viewer.

Just catch our "friends" at TNT when they run several episodes or a mini-marathon of Law & Order, with the possibility that one episode could be 15+ years older than another. In early shows, cell phones were not yet popular, so the cops are using pay phones. I think that Benjamin Bratt was the first to use a cell phone.

And...it really gets complicated when episodes "cross series": There is an episode of L & O that is completed in an episode of "Homicide: Life on the Street." That one episode of "Homicide" is distributed with L&O to allow that plot line to be completed. And...vice versa.

They have occasionally done 2 part episodes, so this is not terribly unusual; however, they've kept this to a minimum because of the complications it causes when syndicating the series. Series such as Lost or 24 are not practical for general syndication, and viewers really need at least a summary background before viewing newer episodes. Even 24, in which an entire scenario/plotline is complete within 24 or less weeks, really needs some background on Jack, etc for a new viewer.

Just catch our "friends" at TNT when they run several episodes or a mini-marathon of Law & Order, with the possibility that one episode could be 15+ years older than another. In early shows, cell phones were not yet popular, so the cops are using pay phones. I think that Benjamin Bratt was the first to use a cell phone.

And...it really gets complicated when episodes "cross series": There is an episode of L & O that is completed in an episode of "Homicide: Life on the Street." That one episode of "Homicide" is distributed with L&O to allow that plot line to be completed. And...vice versa.

USA does a nice job with the few 2-parters of NCIS.

Anyone see last nights eppy? Another example of why the original NCIS is way ahead of the LA edition.. Good performance by Rob Wagner as Denozzos dad..

yup; a good one last night.

There were some fun tidbits with Robert Wagner in this week's episode.
He mentioned a nickname "Al" and Wagner's character was called a "conman"
Made me think of Wagner's late 1960's TV series "It Takes A Thief" where he played "Al" Mundy and in the 70's he played a reformed "conman" in the TV series "Switch" :)

There were some fun tidbits with Robert Wagner in this week's episode.
He mentioned a nickname "Al" and Wagner's character was called a "conman"
Made me think of Wagner's late 1960's TV series "It Takes A Thief" where he played "Al" Mundy and in the 70's he played a reformed "conman" in the TV series "Switch" :)

Joxer: Your memory is certainly better than mine. Now that you mention those shows, I kinda recall them. My hat is off to you.

Meanwhile...it was a good episode. The new NCIS: LA.....STINKS, but that's just one man's opinion and I gather that it's ratings are pretty good. OK, look at its lead-in.

I love both shows but there is nothing like the original

Joxer: good memories of the shows, how about Hart to Hart? I think he co starred with Stephanie Powers and Jill St. John as Maxwell who he later married in 1990..:)

Joxer: good memories of the shows, how about Hart to Hart? I think he co starred with Stephanie Powers and Jill St. John as Maxwell who he later married in 1990..:)

Yes Robert Wagner starred in Hart to Hart in the 80's.
One of the last episodes of "It Takes A Thief" in 1970 featured Stephanie Powers as his co-star too!

Most of the episodes of "It Takes A Thief" are viewable for free at hulu.com now!
In the final season of that show, Fred Astaire starred in several episodes as Al Mundy's father - similar to what Robert Wagner is doing now on NCIS for another generation. :)

Good episode tonight.

Good episode tonight.

Perhaps ... but it seems like I just saw it last week (Human Target.) I wonder if the same folks wrote both shows. :D

Cool.
I haven't watched Human Target, so I don't know.

The reveal at the end was amusing. And wonder what it means for the future...

The reveal at the end was amusing. And wonder what it means for the future... Yes, I thought that was a huge revelation, although we need more info. In the beginning we were led on by Tony's mood and comments, then the sofa comment was made a little later to kill it. Then the end... :)

larry

Yes, I thought that was a huge revelation, although we need more info. In the beginning we were led on by Tony's mood and comments, then the sofa comment was made a little later to kill it. Then the end... :)

larry

Are the writer's possibly going the "Rigsby/Van Pelt" route, ala The Mentalist?

Are the writer's possibly going the "Rigsby/Van Pelt" route, ala The Mentalist?
Don't know, I've never seen The Mentalist.

larry

Don't know, I've never seen The Mentalist.

larry

You're missing out. :)

Don't know, I've never seen The Mentalist.

Rigsby (male) and Van Pelt (female) are California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) agents who are having a "relationship" but it is never seen on the show! There are odd looks between the pair but that is all the audience sees. :)

Tuesday's episode, the dirty-bomb plot, seems to have been shot with extra camera filters, or they've switched to prosumer cameras with poor resolution. Looked as bad as CSI:Miami before I crossed it off my viewing list. Fuzzy, poor contrast--hardly worth calling it HDTV. Imdb.com only gives the aspect ratio for 2010 NCIS episodes (tech specs). -- John

Tuesday's episode, the dirty-bomb plot, seems to have been shot with extra camera filters, or they've switched to prosumer cameras with poor resolution. Looked as bad as CSI:Miami before I crossed it off my viewing list. Fuzzy, poor contrast--hardly worth calling it HDTV. Imdb.com only gives the aspect ratio for 2010 NCIS episodes (tech specs). -- John

The picture was not sharp. Probably bad post production or film transfer/color correction. The "film" guys do like to putz with their filters and mood lighting, when video really likes nice, clean, sharp original film transferred without a lot of "color correction". CSI:Miami and NCIS have suffered in the past from over saturation...induced during color correction/film transfer; however, CSI looks better this season. Probably a new color correctionist or Dir of Photography.

Joxer: Your memory is certainly better than mine. Now that you mention those shows, I kinda recall them. My hat is off to you.

Meanwhile...it was a good episode. The new NCIS: LA.....STINKS, but that's just one man's opinion and I gather that it's ratings are pretty good. OK, look at its lead-in.


Yeah they put it behind NCIS for that specific reason. Now it's up against Lost, it will probably get a drastic cut in ratings.

I noticed he softness too, but when the got outside it seemed to get better. Decent episode. Ending made me chuckle. :)

larry

I have to say I'm not so anal to quit watching a show just because I don't think its "hd look" is not up to par.

I enjoy this show...good entertainment.

I don't think it takes away from the script or acting, just something we notice in general about the look of the show.

Plot wise I'm very interested to see how they handle Tony/Ziva now. I almost wish they had never done this, it was more fun with just the tension between them.

I thought image was terribly fuzzy. I don't remember it being this bad for other episodes. I hope this is not going to be what it looks like for future episodes.

I have been watching JAG on HDNet, and they ran the initial spinoff show last night. Interesting to see the genisis of the show. The original characters from this pilot still present are Gibbs, DiNozzo, Ducky, and Abby. Ducky was a letch after an NCIS agent (Viv Blackadder, played by Robin Lively) who was replaced by Kate (Sasha Alexander) for the series. This was kind of creepy and there was also a weird gimmick when Ducky was talking to the corpses which was presented from the corpses point of view. This too was dropped.

At first I assumed that this was an issue with that specific episode. Sadly enough this week's episode also suffered from a blurred look. The problem seems more apparent in darker scenes. Fortunately NCIS LA did not suffer from the same issue.

I'm glad to see Fornell around. I was just wondering what happened to him.

Yes it is funny that not only NCIS and Human Target deal with airplane episodes that week, but Chuck also had an airplane episode the following week with many small similarities.

My God could this show get any more blurry. The opening scene was absolutely pathetic. Why, Why, Why do they insist upon doing this? Why waste the money on HD equipment if the end result looks like this?

glad to see it's not my eyes or gear.

I thought I tuned into a widescreen SD broadcast until commercials came on.

Whose ego exactly are they trying to protect ? There's nobody on the show very good looking to begin with, but this level of blur makes it seem like they're all cave trolls...


If anyone on this network needs soft focus, it's Marguiles (sp?). That good wife promo was revolting when they had her pancake makeup in focus.

I think it has to do with Cote (the actress that plays Ziva). I noticed what looks like a mark (bruise?) on the left side of her neck/chest area. It was hard to see, and in every scene, they shoot from the opposite side, or have her hair over her left shoulder. I noticed it when they first when in NCIS HQ.

PQ aside, I thought tonight's episode was one of the best one's this season.

PQ aside, I thought tonight's episode was one of the best one's this season.

I have a rule. I don't watch anything save for my local news in SD. My favorites list is set as such. I have now included NCIS as part of my rule. I'll find something else to watch.

Yes, whatever's infecting their production with fuzziness has also screwed up NCIS: LA now, too...maybe not quite as bad though. Skipped both new NCIS Tuesday episodes because reasonably crisp HD is a factor in sitting through these souped-up soap operas here. While production budgets might be tight these days, with mostly digital camera use, it's stupid to air programs that border on upconverted SD in appearance. Lots of all-digital productions, going back years, look fine--both TV and major-feature dramas. CBS needs a new quality control executive who stops accepting this drivel. -- John

It was pretty bad, my first thought was that it was intentionally softened as a requirement for Gena Rowlands as she's no spring chicken anymore.

I thought the focus had gone south on my FPTV, had to go into the livingroom and check the 40" Sony... NCIS PQ used to be very crisp like all the other CBS Shows... Good episode after I got over the PQ...

If you remember the NCIS-LA 'pilot' last year on NCIS, that last few minutes of the second episode had Gibbs and Nate in the elevator. The end where the security camera was on Gibbs, the view of Gibbs was absolutely horrible. I mean Gibbs looked 65-70 years old (age spots on face, thin skin). He looked like my grandfather when he was in his 70's. As I remember, that episode was in HD.

I would bet that ever since then, the camera's were set to soft to compensate.

If you remember the NCIS-LA 'pilot' last year on NCIS, that last few minutes of the second episode had Gibbs and Nate in the elevator. The end where the security camera was on Gibbs, the view of Gibbs was absolutely horrible. I mean Gibbs looked 65-70 years old (age spots on face, thin skin). He looked like my grandfather when he was in his 70's. As I remember, that episode was in HD.

I would bet that ever since then, the camera's were set to soft to compensate.

My suspicion is that they've switched to "super 16mm" from 35mm. Even so, the pictures are soft. Several years ago, they were all over saturated, and everyone had a constant sunburn. They could be shooting in digital; however, with all the outdoor scenes, I doubt that.

My suspicion is that they've switched to "super 16mm" from 35mm. Even so, the pictures are soft. Several years ago, they were all over saturated, and everyone had a constant sunburn. They could be shooting in digital; however, with all the outdoor scenes, I doubt that.

I don't know if they switched to Super16 or not, but there have been other shows (ie. Veronica Mars) shot on S16, and they looked better than this.

^^^Recall "The West Wing," reportedly shot in 16mm for a while at least [35mm listed at IMDB (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0200276/technical)], looked much better than recent NCIS episodes. Some W.W. episodes seemed to have more noise. But S16mm data-scanned or telecined for HD from TV-production film negatives can look exceptionally good, too, as the BBC and A&E showed in this print-vs-negative comparison (http://vimeo.com/3869589) of their '95 "Pride and Prejudice," released on Blu-ray last year.

Recall similar comments about sacrificing PQ to mask the effects of aging skin when CSI: Miami got the fuzz treatment recently, too. Could be here, too. But it's a little mind boggling they'd screw up PQ this much--unless the actors own most of show rights.

Posted elsewhere (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=18235021&postcount=2) recently, as sublinks, some comparison images between early Red One images, which appear flat and soft like recent NCIS shots, and how newer processing software perks the same shot up considerably. But not sure if NCIS is using the Panavision Genesis digital camera like NCIS:LA was--with crisp, excellent pictures just a few weeks back--or they're just slapping horrendous lens filtering over film. -- John

EDIT: Notice the folks in the U.K. are seeing SD-like NCIS PQ (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&ved=0CAgQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalspy.com%2Fforums%2Fshowthread.ph p%3Fp%3D38812503&rct=j&q=CBS+NCIS+2010+HD+%22picture+quality%22+OR+PQ&ei=rOOTS6fCLdLAlwfT_dj6AQ&usg=AFQjCNH7C-I8sQAkbT1waHN9f0-CwBVT6w) lately, too.

WOW it looks terrible again.

Cool, A.D.A. Casey Novak from SVU was on tonight's episode.

Rigsby (male) and Van Pelt (female) are California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) agents who are having a "relationship" but it is never seen on the show! There are odd looks between the pair but that is all the audience sees. :)

After ignoring Ziva/Tony for a few weeks, they go back to the innuendo at the end of this week.

Anyway, for another on-screen couple that was never an on-screen couple, there's ADA Jack McCoy and Assist. ADA Claire Kinkaid in Law & Order. They had a few hints at a relationship during the show, but didn't reveal the relationship in full until Claire died.

In the future, when filming an "east coast" beach shot from LA, you might want to consider "flipping" the image so that the sun angle comes from the south/equator and not the north pole.

Just one of those things that drives one up the wall. ;) :D

In the future, when filming an "east coast" beach shot from LA, you might want to consider "flipping" the image so that the sun angle comes from the south/equator and not the north pole.

Just one of those things that drives one up the wall. ;) :D

Not worth the trouble, VERY few places on the east coast have waves anywhere near the size of those, I too noticed the shadows, but the waves are a more obvious giveaway, to me anyways, as I like to try and surf. ....I thought everyone knew most of the show was shot in LA.

Not worth the trouble, VERY few places on the east coast have waves anywhere near the size of those, I too noticed the shadows, but the waves are a more obvious giveaway, to me anyways, as I like to try and surf. ....I thought everyone knew most of the show was shot in LA.

LOL ... well then, I suppose palm trees in NYC are okie, doaky too. :D

Yes, we know it's shot in LA ... but they could at least make a modest effort in the era of digital intermediates and editing equipment. ;) :)

I can wait to see what happens to the "KY" locations in "Justified."

LOL ... well then, I suppose palm trees in NYC are okie, doaky too. :D

Yes, we know it's shot in LA ... but they could at least make a modest effort in the era of digital intermediates and editing equipment. ;) :)

I can wait to see what happens to the "KY" locations in "Justified."

It is funny the things that some folks notice right away, while others would never see it. :)

It is funny the things that some folks notice right away, while others would never see it. :)
As much as I enjoyed the movie "Men of Honor", the mountains surrounding "Bayonne" drove me crazy.

As much as I enjoyed the movie "Men of Honor", the mountains surrounding "Bayonne" drove me crazy.

In the 1952 movie The Big Sky the boatmen spent most of the film traveling down a two-three mile stretch of the Snake river around Oxbow Bend. The story indicated they were making good headway leaving me to assume Howard Hawks didn't want to lose the Grand Tetons panorama in the background.

I really liking the recent multi-part story line. For me, it's some of the best NCIS I've watched, except (maybe) the end of last season. Is the current story working up to another cliff-hanger season finale?

larry

Based on the history of the show...yes

Gibbs is going to Mexico for the season finale. Guess an old friend on the show will show up. They always make the season finales interesting.

Gibbs is going to Mexico for the season finale. Guess an old friend on the show will show up. They always make the season finales interesting.
He's in Mexico as of the end of last week's episode.

larry

Yeah I'm 2 weeks behind on the DVR trying frantically to catch up for tonight. :)

Oh, ok. So you're just getting to the good stuff. :)

larry

Yeah had to dig through some really sluggish mid season stand alones. Why do they always seem to bring another team in to work with them that has the exact same personalities as Gibbs team? That running gag gets old about the 4th or 5th time they do it. I'm thinking especially of the episode where they had people from CGIS working with them and the female lead was the female version of Gibbs. They've done that gag several times before.

Last night I finished up with the episode where the polygraph agent that works for them is working on the side for another private company. They try to give Gibbs a polygraph and he gets up all mad.

But they never explained why they were giving him one. All they said was he had never taken one since joining NCIS.

Another great season cliff hanger IMO. I know it shouldn't surprise me but I fall for the Gibb's,Leon altercations every time:) Looked like Gibbs was gone and then him and Leon working the guy in the park as a team.O well keep it coming,looking forward to next season already.:)

I think we should start a pool on how many seconds into next season's first episode the evil sister survives. Gibbs' dad has been warned after all and he had to defend the women in the store against the robbery/rape attempt before the holidays last winter. I don't think her (evil drug runner sister) odds of being a long term threat are very good.

TerryB

I think we should start a pool on how many seconds into next season's first episode the evil sister survives. Gibbs' dad has been warned after all and he had to defend the women in the store against the robbery/rape attempt before the holidays last winter. I don't think her (evil drug runner sister) odds of being a long term threat are very good.

TerryB

I didn't catch that Gibbs's dad was made aware of the situation. I thought Gibbs just left him a message to go stay with someone else? Dad seemed completely surprised when she walked in his store.

I think we should start a pool on how many seconds into next season's first episode the evil sister survives. Gibbs' dad has been warned after all and he had to defend the women in the store against the robbery/rape attempt before the holidays last winter. I don't think her (evil drug runner sister) odds of being a long term threat are very good.

TerryB

Agreed. Gibbs won't let her kill Dad. Either Dad kills her, a sniper shot through the window kills her, or an agent (agents?) hiding in the store kills her. Her life expectancy is around 5 s after "last time, on NCIS." Not that I know anything, just a prediction that she signed her death warrant when she entered the store.

Great show....enjoyed the season finale..