I really liked this show but it took a back seat to American Idol when it came on. Tonight I was flipping between shows and I gotta say wow. I can't believe they killed Kate! Really shocking and a bold move by the writers. I wonder who will replace her?

I was also shocked when they killed her. That scene looked amazing in HD with the blood splattering all over Tony's face.

I'm very disappointed to see Kate gone from NCIS.

Yes, I will miss her as well. She was quite beautiful and her banter with Tony was amusing. I hope the show does not become too dark next season. On the othe rhand, I really dislike Ducky and would like to see him go.

I haven't been watching this show but my wife watches it, and I saw it tonight. My Wife was kind of freaked out; and I must admit it was a last minute surprise ending, even for me (without knowing the characters it obviously didn't make as much impact on me).

Crap! Darn! I wish I hadn't read that. I'll watch the episode when it airs in a couple of months. thanks guys.

Sasha Alexander was the only reason I continued to watch NCIS. I went into this ep. thinking if it was Kate that got killed, it would be the last episode of NCIS that I'll watch. I wonder if she just decided to leave the show on her own, or if they decided to ax her character. I don't see how the show can continue, she was a big part of it.

Crap! Darn! I wish I hadn't read that. I'll watch the episode when it airs in a couple of months. thanks guys.

Welp, this thread was titled "NCIS shocker" :p

I was sure that it was gonna be McGee that would bite it! I'm also gonna miss the banter between Tony & Kate...can't see the show being the same now :(

None of the stars were told the ending on tell the day of the shout.

I just read that they shot 2 endings:

By the end of the episode, one
member of the "NCIS" team will go down, creator Don Bellisario told
Zap2it.com
Bellisario said he has taken extraordinary efforts,
including shooting two endings to "NCIS," to keep the identity of
the killed-off character secret.
Harmon, whose "St. Elsewhere" character died, said he joked
about it when asked if the same would happen to his "NCIS" role.
"We're all personally hoping it's us, because we're all so
tired, we're hoping we're going to get killed," Harmon said.

I'm also gonna miss the banter between Tony & Kate...can't see the show being the same now :(

I too will miss the banter. It is a few hours now since I saw the show ... I am still shocked by the ending!

But her character was not the only one to be lost on the season finales. We also lost Dr. Macy (Miguel Ferrer) on Crossing Jordan & Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) on ER.

Makes me wonder what is in store for "Alias"!

It is too bad the writers were (apparently) getting bored with the characters.

(Perhaps, and I know this is a shocking idea, they could have improved the writing a bit?)

That might have been a lot easier than replacing the millions of viewers who perhaps feel they were victims of a cheap gimmick. Viewers invest time and emotion in TV characters and they need to be given some reason to let them go.

Perhaps Don Bellisario was peeved at CBS for killing his "JAG" so he got back at 'em.

In any event, IMO it was a very, very poorly thought-out stunt.

In any event, IMO it was a very, very poorly thought-out stunt.

I agree. I think it's BS that the actors did not know what was going to happen, I think it was a publicity stunt to create discussion and hence people tune in to watch.

Sasha Alexander must have wanted to move on, or could not come to a contract agreement.

Or, the whole episode was a dream sequence... :p

SO Tony gets the Plague last week and lives but this week Kate gets killed. :rolleyes:

IMO, CBS just shot NCIS in the foot "not Kate in the Head".

The characters of Kate and Abby were the only thing that kept NCIS "watchable". Not sure if Abby can do it by herself.

CBS BIG MISTAKE!!!


J C

While I liked Kata a lot, I also liked the surprise and the fact that the writers didn't go with the status quo. I will wait to decide if it was a mistake until I see who replaces her. I still think they should have killed Ducky instead!

Sasha Alexander was the only reason I continued to watch NCIS. I went into this ep. thinking if it was Kate that got killed, it would be the last episode of NCIS that I'll watch. I wonder if she just decided to leave the show on her own, or if they decided to ax her character. I don't see how the show can continue, she was a big part of it.

I feel the same way but I know I will next season to see what the show is like without her. I am very disappointed in her being killed off she was really great on the show not to mention a very beautiful woman who was very easy on the eyes. Someone mentioned it was a dream I sure hope so.

Looks like no one wanted to see Kate go. Last week with she and Tony in isolation, remember they brought in another female agent who could be the replacement next year. So is Ari a double agent? Why didn't he kill Gibbs when he had the opportunity instead of Kate? The writers have a lot of covering up to do for such a poor ending. It makes no sense except shock value. Poor writing or just another twisted plot to start off next year?

By the way, the scene of Abby and Tony on the floor with the farting elephant was straight out of "Blazing Saddles". Great stuff, got to love that Abs.

If they shot two endings, looks like no one really was leaving for a reason. Wonder how Sasha Alexander feels about having her character bumped off?

According to this
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-05-24-tv-deaths-main_x.htm

Sasha asked to leave the show. So I think the writers handled this the best way possible.

According to this
http://www.usatoday.com/life/televi...aths-main_x.htm

That article kills the whole dream theory I guess. I am really disappointed, as Kate was one of my favorite characters on tv. First the crazy Las Vegas finale and now this! I guess the cliffhanger endings work, as I will be waiting impatiently to find out what happens on my two favorite shows.

All I can say is that they better bring in a new hot babe to take her place but even at that I will miss Kate.

According to this
http://www.usatoday.com/life/televi...aths-main_x.htm

That article kills the whole dream theory I guess. I am really disappointed, as Kate was one of my favorite characters on tv. First the crazy Las Vegas finale and now this! I guess the cliffhanger endings work, as I will be waiting impatiently to find out what happens on my two favorite shows.

Yes, the team chemistry is shot now...they had really hit a groove with the team as 'family'. Not sure how they can replace Kate. I was hoping it would be McGee, or maybe Ducky's assistant. Damn.

I was still in shock when I woke up this morning, such a brutal death.

So is Ari a double agent? Why didn't he kill Gibbs when he had the opportunity instead of Kate? The writers have a lot of covering up to do for such a poor ending. It makes no sense except shock value. Poor writing or just another twisted plot to start off next year?

I'm guessing he's not a double agent. If he was, there was no need to kill any NCIS agents (the rest of that cell was killed). He shot Kate because that would cause more grief for Gibbs - an emotional decision, not a logical one.

I wonder who they'll bring in as Kate's replacement? I would have bet on Agent Paula Cassidy, but she's currently appearing in the new Kojak series.

Speaking of loosing hot female characters... Did CBS also dump Emily Procter/Calleigh Duquesne from CSI Miami? It was hard to tell by the little scene where she removed her name from the "fire-arms specialist board" and steps into the elevator. Certainly not as clear cut as getting shot in the head.

Hammer

Wow I though I was the only one who still feeled "shocked" at this. I watched this show when it premiered (after the JAG incident) and lost interest. Started watching it again this season and really got into it. Alexander was a big part of it...she is so HOT and the bickering with Tony was always hilarious.

Her biting it the way she did almost made me choke on the drink I was having...It was right out of the blue, laughing and joking then BANG...and a good realisitic hit too!!!

I'll miss her but this could be great, I'm sure next season Gibbs is going to be plenty pissed and a major hunt will ensue...this could be good!

Watch for NCIS: 24 Hours next fall. :)

Where Gibbs joins the CTU to hunt down Ari.

Speaking of loosing hot female characters... Did CBS also dump Emily Procter/Calleigh Duquesne from CSI Miami? It was hard to tell by the little scene where she removed her name from the "fire-arms specialist board" and steps into the elevator. Certainly not as clear cut as getting shot in the head.

Hammer

It certainly puts into question whether or not she will be back next season!

Why didn't he [Ari] kill Gibbs when he had the opportunity instead of Kate?

Possible spoiler ...


Because he want's to make Gibbs suffer ... In a previous episode, Ari was forced to kill his significant other in order to keep from blowing his cover. It's "personal."

OMG they killed off Kate...wtf were they thinking...the blood spray on Tony's face was a nice touch though.

OMG they killed off Kate...wtf were they thinking...the blood spray on Tony's face was a nice touch though.


Apparently she asked off the show...why she did is unclear.

Didn't Jag go through a couple of women on that show?

Reggie

According to this
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-05-24-tv-deaths-main_x.htm

Sasha asked to leave the show. So I think the writers handled this the best way possible.

I figured as much...

The chick from Jag might be a good replacement she lways looked good when not wearing the military garb

I read this on Google Groups, so replayed the ending to verify it:

You can see Michael Weatherly's eyes flinch a split second before the kill shot!!

The chick from Jag might be a good replacement she lways looked good when not wearing the military garb

Catherine Bell would be perfect for the role!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/keenanj/Bell.jpg

Sasha's desire to leave the show might well put her in a class with McLean Stevenson ("Mash") and David Caruso ("NYPD Blue").

IMO, CBS just shot NCIS in the foot "not Kate in the Head".

The characters of Kate and Abby were the only thing that kept NCIS "watchable". Not sure if Abby can do it by herself.

CBS BIG MISTAKE!!!


J C

DITTO WTH is CBS thinking of, another dumba$$ move....

I'm glad they didn't kill her off when she drove in front of Gibbs /Sercret Service type dive.

It made the ending more shocking.

I think Paula Cassidy will be the replacement because they mention her name when they talk about Norfolk being the target in the car.

OMG they killed off Kate...wtf were they thinking...the blood spray on Tony's face was a nice touch though.


I had heard that she asked to be written out. They didn't care for the actress too much so they did it in such a way that she couldn't come back in a year or two asking join the show again.

I had it TiVo'd and watched it again in slow mo. It was funny to see Denozzo (sp?) flinch before the bullet comes in, anticipating the blood splatter.

Sure gonna miss her.

I just watched it on HDtivo. OMG 34th and Washington AVenue in downtown Newport News. I work a few blocks from where they shot it next to the Shipyard and drive past it everyday. LOL.

Catherine Bell would be perfect for the role!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/keenanj/Bell.jpg
Yeah she would. But a little too built and too beautiful to flirt with Tony. But go back and watch it again, the flirting with Tony and Kate is so heavy in this episode.

I'm glad they didn't kill her off when she drove in front of Gibbs /Sercret Service type dive.

It made the ending more shocking.

I think Paula Cassidy will be the replacement because they mention her name when they talk about Norfolk being the target in the car.

Who is Paula Cassidy?

Actress Jessica Steen plays Special Agent Paula Cassidy, and the character has appeared in a handful of episodes beginning early in season one.

This Jessica Steen? I can't place her, don't remember the episodes she was in....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/keenanj/jessica_steen.jpg

That's her, keenan.
I think she was at Guantanomo one time, then on a carrier another.
I'm too lazy to look her up at TVtome.com.

The last episode of NCIS finally made it watchable. They are in a serious business and I think they were taking it too lightly. How about the circumstances surrounding her death? They had just had a gun battle but had not yet secured the area. They put their guns away and began wise cracking. You just don't do that as our soldiers in Iraq know. Maybe now the show will get more serious. After all, terrorism is not funny.

That's her, keenan.
I think she was at Guantanomo one time, then on a carrier another.
I'm too lazy to look her up at TVtome.com.

Okay, I do remember her now, thanks for those clues...

They had just had a gun battle but had not yet secured the area. They put their guns away and began wise cracking. .

I agree, in fact IIRC, wasn't Proby still under fire down on the street...?

The last episode of NCIS finally made it watchable. They are in a serious business and I think they were taking it too lightly. How about the circumstances surrounding her death? They had just had a gun battle but had not yet secured the area. They put their guns away and began wise cracking. You just don't do that as our soldiers in Iraq know. Maybe now the show will get more serious. After all, terrorism is not funny.

Yes and Mark Harmons' character should get busted for it. He should have been giving orders to keep down and keep their weapons out while calling for backup.

I agree, in fact IIRC, wasn't Proby still under fire down on the street...?
As one who works down the street at 2400 I can attest that there wasnt any additional gunfire :D

Who ever replaces Kate will probably be more sexy . Look at Miami CSI and the other trends. Would rather see someone who could contribute more to the serious story line now that NCIS has become a better show than in the beginning. Jessica Steen would be a good choice. They may be trying to switch to a romantic interest for Gibbs instead of Tony.

(If I knew anyone was going to die I would assume it would have been Proby)

I read this on Google Groups, so replayed the ending to verify it:

You can see Michael Weatherly's eyes flinch a split second before the kill shot!!

I noticed this as well when I replayed the scene in slow motion and frame-by-frame advance on my DVR.

As one who works down the street at 2400 I can attest that there wasnt any additional gunfire :D
:D :p

Vurbano,

Thanks that is what I was talking about I think she would be perfect

Yes and Mark Harmons' character should get busted for it. He should have been giving orders to keep down and keep their weapons out while calling for backup.

Actually Jethro and Tony were out of ammo. I'm not sure if Kate had any.

I agree, in fact IIRC, wasn't Proby still under fire down on the street...?

I think the guy that fired on him was the one who burst through the door and shot Kate in the chest.

OMG they killed off Kate...wtf were they thinking...the blood spray on Tony's face was a nice touch though.

Maybe it's a Tarantino effect creeping through the CSI franchise after he blew up John Saxon's character on the Vegas season ending show. Looks to me like graphic violence has reached broadcast TV now.

If they are going to kill off characters, they ought to start with the doctor on CSI Miami. I would suggest that one of the cadavers she is stroking and cooing over suddenly come to life and rip her face off in slow motion. How great would that be!

If they are going to kill off characters, they ought to start with the doctor on CSI Miami. I would suggest that one of the cadavers she is stroking and cooing over suddenly come to life and rip her face off in slow motion. How great would that be!

That would be really cool :D

but don't get me started on CSI (ESPECIALLY Miami), I'm sure you guys are tired of my rants about that show, but yeah her "petting" and having conversations with the deceased at crime scenes in her white blouse an beige pants wearing high heels and... :mad:

Sorry I'm ranting again :)

I had really started enjoying NCIS this year, and I hope this doesn't disturb the chemistry. We happened to watch Mark Harmon on Tony Danza earlier, and they talked about the two endings, and that somebody would get killed off.
Knowing that up front, there were little clues all the way through the episode to mislead the viewer into thinking it could be someone else (Dinozio lying on the cement, Ari and the bomb with Jethro, even Proby getting shot at). I had decided to myself it was going to be Ducky, he is kinda cool but probably the most disposable, with his age and all.

Abby is cool.............. Loved the scene with the farting teddy bear, when she lies down next to Tony.

But her character was not the only one to be lost on the season finales. We also lost Dr. Macy (Miguel Ferrer) on Crossing Jordan & Dr. Carter (Noah Wyle) on ER.At least either of those characters could be back. Kate's end was pretty final.

Perhaps Don Bellisario was peeved at CBS for killing his "JAG" so he got back at 'em.JAG was ended at Bellisario's request. CBS wanted it back, but he knew they couldn't pay for David James Elliot, so he would have to go. He started to work up the replacement setup (that young lawyer), but decided it didn't work, so he ended it.

JAG was ended at Bellisario's request. CBS wanted it back, but he knew they couldn't pay for David James Elliot, so he would have to go. He started to work up the replacement setup (that young lawyer), but decided it didn't work, so he ended it.That new lawyer was a jerk!

But what do I know - most people here seem to have loved the Sara-Tony banter, but I thought Tony was just obnoxious. Maybe since I'm over 50, I just don't connect.

I had heard that she asked to be written out. They didn't care for the actress too much so they did it in such a way that she couldn't come back in a year or two asking join the show again.


I thought that the death was another "character gets killed - then comes back later when it's revealed the death was faked to throw off the bad guys" plot. That's happened so many times that I automatically suspect it. That's probably why they used a head shot & did it on a roof with no-one else around - it would be nearly impossible to explain that away as a fake later.

But what do I know - most people here seem to have loved the Sara-Tony banter, but I thought Tony was just obnoxious.

You are not alone ... In fact in a "real" government-job setting Tony would probably be history ... Only highly rank(ed) officials can get away with that behavior for long. :D BTW, Abby is a big stretch too :D It's just a TV show.

That new lawyer was a jerk!Agreed...that's why it wouldn't work out. He was too overboard...Rabb is a guy who treads the line and does some fancy dancing, but never knowingly went across the line. But, if you "teach" this guy to be less over-the-top, he becomes a Rabb clone in too many ways, and that's exactly what people wouldn't stand for.

BTW, Abby is a big stretch tooNot her attitude. Techs who get the job done are allowed a lot of eccentricities, even in a government job. Tony leans too close to sexual harrassment with everyone (even strangers) to last that long, but Abby is closeted up and only Gibbs has to approve.

Just watched the re-run of the season finale. I wanted to see if there was any way that could have been "faked" (I've read the info about her wanting out and the producers accomodating in a dramatic way---but, shocking as it is---sometimes they lie just to boost ratings).

Anyway, without some absurd plot twist (Alias- Jack:"Didn't I kill you?"; Irina:"No, that what the OTHER Irina--you know, the fake one) I guess Gibbs can just concentrate on finding Ari and catching up on old times.

She was the reason I started watching that show to me it is a huge loss. Have they put anyone in the show to replace her?

Caitlin's replacement is Special Agent Ziva David, played by Cote de Pablo.

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/tv.yahoo.com/images/he/photo/tv_pix/fox/the_jury/cote_de_pablo/gallery_thejury.jpg
Photo from "The Jury" (Fox)

Lauren Holly is also joining the cast as Jenny Shepard, the new director of NCIS.

I need motre pictures to see if I like this one or not. I think it is going to be tough to replace the original like everything else in life

Just watched the re-run of the season finale. I wanted to see if there was any way that could have been "faked"

Nope it was real, you must be really careful with contract negotiations these days. They are begining to take the termination clause quite seriously. :)

Apparently so. I'll still watch the show, if only to see exactly what Gibbs does when he catches Ari.

they should have gotten rid of Tony. Very annoying character and brings the drama down. One of my favorite shows, but the banter takes away from the intensity..

The interesting thing about the shot to the head is that it really was a shot to the head. Running the HD picture in slow motion clearly shows a projectile and she did not have a squib pasted to her forehead beforehand. She did a heck of a job keeping a straight face knowing she would take the hit with her eyes open and unprotected. Tony flinched badly and he wasn't even the target.

According to TV Guide,
Alexander comes back for the first two episodes of the season. "She will not be a ghost and she will not be in flashbacks, and it will not be a dream," says Don Bellisario. "Let fans figure that out."

According to TV Guide,
Alexander comes back for the first two episodes of the season. "She will not be a ghost and she will not be in flashbacks, and it will not be a dream," says Don Bellisario. "Let fans figure that out."
Well then she must be playing her twin sister or something..

or maybe she's in a coma in the hospital just waiting to die.

or maybe she's laying on Ducky's table for two episodes.

Those are both good ideas, but I got the impression it would be walking, talking live person..

Lets just hope her replacement is stacked.

If you watch that last scene carefully, you can see Tony starting to flinch before the shot is fired. And, the hair on the back of her head actually started to flair out before the red spot showed up on her forehead.

Lets just hope her replacement is stacked.

Here's the key question for you. Would you prefer a very stacked, but bad actress, or a great actress who is flat as a board?

Here's the key question for you. Would you prefer a very stacked, but bad actress, or a great actress who is flat as a board?
That's easy, the latter. You can always add the former to the latter, but you can't add the latter to the former. :)

That's easy, the latter. You can always add the former to the latter, but you can't add the latter to the former. :)

And since this is the case, there's no reason we cant have our cake and eat it too! :D

Was it just me, or did the PQ go down the toilet with the season opener tonight? Getting CBS OTA from WCCO in MPLS...no multicasting either. Thought it was terrible. CSI-Miami wasn't that great either last night and I read that I wasn't the only one in a thread further down.

CBS, what are you doing!?!?!

both looked very good to me...

Looked good (not exceptional) OTA in Tampa. Looks like they're going to drag out this Ari revenge thing for the whole season to me (if not longer :rolleyes: ).

Looks like they're going to drag out this Ari revenge thing for the whole season to me (if not longer :rolleyes: ).

I don't see that all. I'm sure the next episode will end the Ari thing.

Looked good (not exceptional) OTA in Tampa. Looks like they're going to drag out this Ari revenge thing for the whole season to me (if not longer :rolleyes: ).

I don't think so .... I think it will be settled in Part 2.

I liked the little Kate fantasies ... some were quite humorous.

The new DD5.1 is a great improvement.

-snip-

I liked the little Kate fantasies ... some were quite humorous.

-snip-

Humorous and gratuitous - out of place even.

Still, hard to complain about a grown woman in a tiny schoolgirl uniform, with the wind blowing up her skirt so you can check out the red-ribboned panties.

Can't object to seeing Caitlin in a dominatrix costume and collar, complete with riding quirt.

Can't complain about the scanty......wait a minute, yes we can. This is not a lot like Caitlin was in her role last season.......where she dressed and spoke modestly except for the sexual banter to humiliate DiNozo. So far, this extended episode is not very well written, the continuity sucks. We can allow a certain amount of levity if they give her a respectfull sendoff, but so far it's looking out of place, and she's looking FINE.

Gary

I thought the way Kate was depicted was actually rather clever. When someone passes, it is odd the thoughts that run through your head, and the way your brain helps your emotions sort through the grief process.

I couldn't help notice, though, that Cote bears a slight ressemblance to Kate and that Tony was already starting the banter with her. Now THAT I didn't like.

I'm strange, but I liked the ending last season. I hate losing Kate, but I think they can maintain the team dynamic if they don't just replace her with a Kate-clone. With any luck if the Mossad agent stays she'll be the one making Tony uncomfortable instead of vice-versa and maybe she can bring probie out of his shell. Of course, with the setup we have so far I'm not sure she's living past episode 3 anyway so we may have yet another character coming in.

-MM

P.S. I messed up and put my recording on the SD version of CBS instead of the HD version. Anyone who might have a digital dub of the HD version they'd be willing to burn me a copy of please PM me. I need to get a good HD cap of the "Abby-bat" drawing at least, the original episode had really bad angles on it, but this one had some good shots.

NCIS Shocker?

I thought it might mean that this show really wasn't in HDTV. Aren't there enough fan-sites to discuss this stuff on, or do we really need to devote an entire thread to non-HDTV-related plots and fantasies? Sorry to be a party pooper, but some of use this forum to catch up on HDTV information, not as a place for us geeks to hang out and chat.

NCIS Shocker?

I thought it might mean that this show really wasn't in HDTV. Aren't there enough fan-sites to discuss this stuff on, or do we really need to devote an entire thread to non-HDTV-related plots and fantasies? Sorry to be a party pooper, but some of use this forum to catch up on HDTV information, not as a place for us geeks to hang out and chat.


Yeah and the Lost and Deadwood threads were all about PQ.

Yeah and the Lost and Deadwood threads were all about PQ.

And your point is...?

NCIS Shocker?

I thought it might mean that this show really wasn't in HDTV. Aren't there enough fan-sites to discuss this stuff on, or do we really need to devote an entire thread to non-HDTV-related plots and fantasies? Sorry to be a party pooper, but some of use this forum to catch up on HDTV information, not as a place for us geeks to hang out and chat.

Might as well have two of us for the rest to flame. I'm in complete agreement with you. This, and many other forums, have changed. Actual HD information is becoming harder and harder to ferret out of a thread as more and more threads become consumed with every imaginable kind of non HD related information. This becomes especially annoying when I get server busy responses and have to wait minutes to open a thread, knowing that a large number of participants are posting pictures of some actress or sitting at their computer posting play by play events during an HD football game. Some discussions, such as logos and status bars are very worthwhile as they relate to the HD picture itself. But is it really necessary for someone to post the score of a game every time it changes? What does that have to do with HD programming or the quality of the picture? It's purely a social thing, and there is just becoming too much of that kind of discussion on this and other forums. I actually sit back and watch the football game. If I see a problem, I'll check the board to see if it's a network issue. But I can no longer do that given how many posts describing some quarterback's last throw I have to wade through.

Frankly, I wish the board could be back to the way it was years ago when you and I first joined. But I don't think that will ever happen. The kind of participants have changed as HD equipment prices have come down and HD becomes more widespread. I wish more participants would exercise self discipline and post appropriately about real HD issues instead of some actress' breast size or how they don't like to look at elderly people's faces in HD.

There used to be a chit chat forum for the soap opera stuff and social discussions. I wish it would come back. But I know it would fail again because participants wouldn't have the self discipline to use it and it would require the moderators to spend 24 hours a day moving posts to that section.

OK. I'd like to see some reasonable and intelligent responses to this, but I'm sure that major flames will be thrown instead.

I wish more participants would exercise self discipline and post appropriately about real HD issues instead of some actress' breast size or how they don't like to look at elderly people's faces in HD.

Wait a minute, I like breasts.

Thanks for the support. I don't expect (or really want) the OT comments to end completely. I've learned what threads to read and which ones to avoid, but I had to check this one out, and sure enough, not one HD-related post in multiple pages.

I don't think there will be too many flames here. There are too many other "program chat" threads for most people to notice this one.

(From Marc Berman’s Programming Insider column of Thursday, September 21, 2005 at Mediaweek.com)

On CBS, season three of underrated NCIS debuted with a first-place finish in the overnights (10.4/16), total viewers (14.69 million), and adults 18-49 (3.5/10).

I thought the way Kate was depicted was actually rather clever. When someone passes, it is odd the thoughts that run through your head, and the way your brain helps your emotions sort through the grief process.

I couldn't help notice, though, that Cote bears a slight ressemblance to Kate and that Tony was already starting the banter with her. Now THAT I didn't like.

I didnt like that either. Frankly Gibs should have that mossad agent in a room alone with a gun to her head forcing her to give up the assasin. Im afraid he may have sent Tony to his death by ordering him to follow her. Ari expects it.

NCIS Shocker?

I thought it might mean that this show really wasn't in HDTV. Aren't there enough fan-sites to discuss this stuff on, or do we really need to devote an entire thread to non-HDTV-related plots and fantasies? Sorry to be a party pooper, but some of use this forum to catch up on HDTV information, not as a place for us geeks to hang out and chat.
Both you and Jerry G make some good points and I enjoy reading both of your postings elsewhere, but this thread dates from last season and the very first post clearly outlines what the thread is about so it shouldn't have been too much of a surprise that it focused on the content of the show rather than the technical merit.

Actually, there used to be a thread that dealt mostly with the red push issue in the picture quality on NCIS. However, the producers seem to have fixed that after the first season and I haven't noticed one comment about faces being "too red" in quite a while.

I suspect that for some, the novelty of HD is wearing off since so many programs are being broadcast in that format. I guess then it isn't surprising that the discussion has drifted more to content rather than PQ.

For me, it is still amazing that it hasn't been that many years since The Tonight Show and Crossing Jordan were it in terms of choices. This is moving a heck of a lot faster than the transition from b&w to color. Of course, "back then" the choices were Bonanza and Hazel.

Was it just me, or did the PQ go down the toilet with the season opener tonight? Getting CBS OTA from WCCO in MPLS...no multicasting either. Thought it was terrible. CSI-Miami wasn't that great either last night and I read that I wasn't the only one in a thread further down.

CBS, what are you doing!?!?!Just to make hphase and Jerry happy ;), I watched the beginning of the EP last night and it looked very murky and soft to me as well. Since I don't follow the show I checked out after about 10 minutes so it may have gotten better. I was thinking they may have purposely done it to create a "gloomy" atmosphere due to the grieving team members. The moody fuzziness didn't work on me though. I just thought it looked like someone forgot to order the HD transfer on time so they went with a bad upconvert instead :D.

ron

I suspect that for some, the novelty of HD is wearing off since so many programs are being broadcast in that format. I guess then it isn't surprising that the discussion has drifted more to content rather than PQ.

Exactly ... unless something is really good or just awful in the PQ department, I no longer feel the need to dissect the technical merits of a program. Plus since so much of the technical merits depend on what one's "friendly" local broadcaster is doing to the data, (or the state of one's display calibration for that matter) many of these discussions are less than enlightening. :)

PQ in Alexandria was very Good. I also enjoyed the show. Not sure the new boss thing was a good Idea. The old boss didn't show his face much, but that is going to change. I hope it doesn't take away from the main team.

Was it just me, or did the PQ go down the toilet with the season opener tonight? Getting CBS OTA from WCCO in MPLS...no multicasting either. Thought it was terrible. CSI-Miami wasn't that great either last night and I read that I wasn't the only one in a thread further down.

CBS, what are you doing!?!?!

I also thought the PQ on the season opener of NCIS was just absolutely terrible. But what I really want to know is who took caps of Sascha Alexander in that S&M outfit?

This becomes especially annoying when I get server busy responses and have to wait minutes to open a thread, knowing that a large number of participants are posting pictures of some actress or sitting at their computer posting play by play events during an HD football game.

I always assumed that was typically due to search engines going through the site, or perhaps traffic on another site served by the same server. I get those slowdowns at times where traffic here from members wouldn't be very high at all.

I wonder how many of the 7,800+ posts in the Lost thread are about PQ issues? :D

Well they've really screwed up NCIS now. Looks like the writers of this show have been watching "Six Feet Under" but really don't know how to make a dead character work. They miss the whole point. So Gibbs ex-wife is now his boss?? Just what we need. Personal lives and problems detracting from the plot of what was a really neat thriller/mystery/spy kind of drama. Good luck Mark Harmon in your next endeavor. You really had a good show here for a while. Even got away from the red color shift during the second year. Oh well......

NCIS is my wife's favorite show. She get's to decide and gave it a thumbs up. Says screw the critics, They are just a bunch of morons who can't make a real living doing, so they just know how to criticize other's accomplishments.

I also like the new show- E-Ring. The critics also hated it. I think we need to get a few critics who aren't gay and maybe the industry will get some balance. Meanwhile, I thought it was as good as or better than Jake 2.0 and The Agency which were of similar genre. I suppose JAG is dead. I guess this forum moderator hates e-ring as well because he closed the last thread about it. That sucks!

To read a wide variety of critics, just check the Hot Off The Press thread, Don. (There are even a couple of positive "E-Ring" reviews.)

By the way, having known a large number of TV critics over the years, I would guess the percentage of gay TV critics is no higher than the population at large.

Here is one I posted yesterday, Don (so you are not alone in enjoying "E-Ring")

TV SEASON PREVIEWS: WEDNESDAY
"E" is for entertaining

By Kay McFadden Seattle Times

He shoots, he scores. Jerry Bruckheimer is the most successful producer in television today, and NBC's "E-Ring," debuting at 9 tonight, is a good example of why.

I confess "E-Ring" is not my kind of program. It's an adventure tale set at the Pentagon and representing the military/covert-operative/CIA school of yarn-spinning. It also has the misfortune to air opposite "Lost."

But "E-Ring" is pretty superb as far as genre series go. If you want your throbbing fix of cinematically scaled, irreproachably timed action and a couple of ruggedly handsome leading men, this is the ticket.

"E-Ring" has the patented Bruckheimer rush: exotic locales, quick cuts, a pounding score and mano-a-mano conflict. It's also a technically interesting delve into the mysterious world of high-level decision-making — the "E" stands for the outer ring where Pentagon calls are finalized.

Benjamin Bratt plays an Army major now assigned to special operations at the Pentagon after a 14-month assignment in Iraq. There, he meets his new officer, a crusty colonel portrayed by Dennis Hopper.

"E-Ring" basically works like this: Each week, a plot is afoot that involves some dicey operation requiring Bratt's moral persuasion. Tonight, it's rescuing a Chinese undercover agent; next week, it's the pursuit of a long-sought terrorist leader in Uzbekistan.

The sets and photography are terrific. To be sure, some dialogue is hard to swallow, as in: "It's not a matter of could we. We are America; we could do anything we want. It's should we."

Nevertheless, fans of the canceled "JAG" and "24"-style thrills should find plenty to enjoy here. NBC will be happy to take the demographic of old-school viewers who otherwise are neglected on Wednesday nights.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/PrintStory.pl?document_id=2002508553&zsection_id=2002119662&slug=kay21&date=20050921

I think we need to get a few critics who aren't gay and maybe the industry will get some balance.

I'm not even sure what this means. Does the TV industry care about what critics say? I always thought TV shows survived on ratings. Lots of critically acclaimed shows have failed to get ratings and have been cancelled. Of all the things people do for a living, TV critic has to be the least important thing in the world. If the profession disappeared tomorrow and I don't think anything would be affected.

Or is this statement some sort of an opinion that there are too many TV shows with gay characters? I have no idea, but I can't imagine gay men get together to watch Will and Grace (but then I can't imagine why anyone watches Will and Grace).

Yes, the industry does care, deeply, about what the TV critics have to say.

It spends millions to amuse (and, of course, inform) them during two annual press tours in Los Angeles, and keeps them well supplied with DVDs and other TV goodies.

TV critics might not be all that influential in making a show a hit, but network executives believe they can at least get a show a decent sampling. After that it is up to the competition and what the viewer thought of the program

NCIS Shocker?

I thought it might mean that this show really wasn't in HDTV. Aren't there enough fan-sites to discuss this stuff on, or do we really need to devote an entire thread to non-HDTV-related plots and fantasies? Sorry to be a party pooper, but some of use this forum to catch up on HDTV information, not as a place for us geeks to hang out and chat.

I've edited this to make it less of a flame.

What information were you hoping to glean from this particular thread? If you have a question about PQ by all means ask it, but why flame people for wanting to discuss the show?

CONTENT will always be king, PQ is a bonus. LOST looks great in HD (best example of HD out there), but if the show sucked what good would it be?

For what it's worth, they do seem to have lost that nasty RED look, but the overall quality does seem to have suffered.

Actually, there used to be a thread that dealt mostly with the red push issue in the picture quality on NCIS.

You mean there used to be a new thread every 2 weeks on that issue

You mean there used to be a new thread every 2 weeks on that issue

And they were so enjoyable, as were the West Wing weekly threads. ;)

If Sasha Alexander asked off the show, it might've been because of the really stupid dialogue they kept giving her and Tony. The writers made Tony look like a sophomore -- in junior high! Maybe he should've had the spine to quit instead. But Sasha can work anywhere.

Also if Sasha Alexander asked off the show, the story about shooting alternate deaths must have been complete BS, because everyone would've already known it was her.

Please let Kate's death be a bad dream, a la Dallas!

As for Abby, I for one don't dig her -- or any Gothic chick with a voice that sounds like she's been snorting coke for years.

Unlike Caitlin, the new agent seems to enjoy the flirtatious sexist comments from Tony. Unfortunately, this, IMO could take away from the real interest people have in the show. Before, there was some balance but now I see this getting old fast. I reserve these comments at home because the show is really my wife's and I want to see how this line of story will change her opinion after a few shows of it.

NCIS, best show on.

Homegirl kate did not have a hole in her head towards the end of the show yesterday.
I guess b/c her death has been settled?
shes a hottie :)

(From Marc Berman’s Programming Insider column of Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at Mediaweek.com)

“…CBS scored a typically solid Tuesday courtesy of time period-winning NCIS (Overnights: 10.4/16; Viewers: #1, 14.62 million; A18-49: #1, 3.4/10) at 8 p.m…”

I've watched about six episodes of NCIS (including this two-part season opener) and each time I come away wondering how anybody can remain dedicated to it with that idiot Tony playing such a prominent role. He's not funny, he's not clever, he's not witty, he's just annoying, very, very annoying. He'd fit better on Joey. The lab girl - Abby right? - also, annoying. I love Mark Harmon and have always had a thing for Lauren Holly, so I might be checking back. Wonder if they could resurrect this Ari fella to but a slug in Tony's head though...

I'm glad the Ari plot line is finished-that was getting tedious. I also don't care for the addition of Lauren Holly-she seems too young to be Mark Harmon's boss.

Wonder if they could resurrect this Ari fella to but a slug in Tony's head though...

haha :p

Without Tony this show would just be another dry CSI wannabe. Tony and his obsession with beautiful women keeps it refreshing and different.

i think its funny and cute.

Without Tony this show would just be another dry CSI wannabe. Tony and his obsession with beautiful women keeps it refreshing and different.
I agree, even without Kate, the rest of these characters play well off of each other, it adds something beyond the dry "solve the crime" formula.

Is the female Mossad agent going to be a regular? If so, I'm not convinced how well she is going to fit in with the rest of the crew, meaning that she is not that interesting of a character, yet, anyhow...

I'm glad the Ari plot line is finished-that was getting tedious. I also don't care for the addition of Lauren Holly-she seems too young to be Mark Harmon's boss.


To some extent I agree about the Ari plot line -- but it seems clear they needed two episodes to allow all the farewells (both from the cast and the viewers) to Kate.

It was handled imaginatively and I found it worked pretty well.

As to Lauren Holly -- the character, IMO, won't work at all unless she takes control and doesn't have Harmon leading her around by the nose. There is no drama if she is going to be at his beck and call.

The two parter including last seasons final episode was made pretty good, really good drama. But they blew the story too much in the second part of the Ari Story: The second man wasn`t really necessary, more to fill up the episode. More few things like looking out for the cell phone blew it sometimes too much.

The scene where Gibbs met the FBI Agent in the rain was made pretty bad. I guess they didn`t get too much rights to make it good, cause the sun was shinning through the trees so much that you couldn`t believe that it was raining there. The street behind Gibbs was really dry, no doubt that scene was bad.

My last comment for the new boss character, I guess the script needs a new twist and there we are. Kate is gone and so is the twist between her and Tony. So it seems to be that the writers were thinking of holding that twist with Gibbs and the new boss to give him a better character maybe.

DougMan

Some don't get the connection of Kate with the show. She was originally a SS agent protecting the President. When she resigned she was invited to join the team and became a regular. I always wondered when she would be moving on. The new NCIS head is one of Gibbs former wives. As for Abby and Tony- Like Duckie these are regulars as is Gibbs the pretty boy jar head. They are all a bunch of misfits that together make for a successful investigative team. Remove one of the 4 not 5 and you don't have a show. Kate was, indeed expendable. BTW- "Probie" is called that because he is a new attachment as well and seems to be forever stuck in a roll on probation. Prediction- Look for Probie to be eventually accepted as a full agent only to have him get it too, like Kate. I think Bellisario will repeat history.

I agree, even without Kate, the rest of these characters play well off of each other, it adds something beyond the dry "solve the crime" formula.

Is the female Mossad agent going to be a regular? If so, I'm not convinced how well she is going to fit in with the rest of the crew, meaning that she is not that interesting of a character, yet, anyhow...

I agree. But if her tits were 2 sizes bigger she'd be far more interesting. But she does have the personality to keep shooting Tony down and frustrate him.

...Probie...(will)... get it too, like Kate. I think Bellisario will repeat history.
It's not like Bellisario had a choice. Sascha Alexander didn't want the stress of doing a series anymore. Otherwise, I would have said they killed the wrong character. I was hoping they'd off that juvenile Tony. :p

Regarding PQ: I, for one, find it much improved over last year. I hated the red push and felt like I spent almost as much time adjusting my picture as I did watching the show. ;)

It's not like Bellisario had a choice. Sascha Alexander didn't want the stress of doing a series anymore. Otherwise, I would have said they killed the wrong character. I was hoping they'd off that juvenile Tony. :p

Regarding PQ: I, for one, find it much improved over last year. I hated the red push and felt like I spent almost as much time adjusting my picture as I did watching the show. ;)

Well I for one am sorry to see Kate's character go. I couldn't believe how attached I'd become to these folks until they killed her off. Things actually got kinda dusty watching these last 3 episodes.

The chemistry between the agents really worked for me, hoping they can keep it up now that she's gone, but it'll be tough.

It's not like Bellisario had a choice. Sascha Alexander didn't want the stress of doing a series anymore. Otherwise, I would have said they killed the wrong character. I was hoping they'd off that juvenile Tony. :p

Regarding PQ: I, for one, find it much improved over last year. I hated the red push and felt like I spent almost as much time adjusting my picture as I did watching the show. ;)

Right but I think her desire to quit the show gave him some creative hints on how best to do that. I'm just saying that her death might be repeated when any other temps come on board. Most seem not to realize that Kate was not in the original team but she was very early on. I believe I have those two episodes where she left the SS and was offered the job with NCIS. I'd look for it but I believe it's on some shelved hard drives from my HDTIVO.

... Most seem not to realize that Kate was not in the original team but she was very early on. I believe I have those two episodes where she left the SS and was offered the job with NCIS. I'd look for it but I believe it's on some shelved hard drives from my HDTIVO.

Sasha Alexander was in the very first episode (then called "Navy NCIS") in the 2003-2004 season. She was a Secret Service agent aboard Air Force One and a major factor in that episode-- and was quickly recruited by Gibbs for his team.

The actual pilot was shown a month later for some reason, and she was not, as I recall, in that.

Yes, Fredfa if you discount the original introduction to the series which was a Jag show. But as I said, Kate Todd was part of the show as a Secret Service agent, not as part of the original NCIS team.
BTW- to all who don't like Dinozzo's character because he's a sexist personality, I checked with the CBS poll and it seems he has a 57% favorable rating among viewers. But it must concern CBS otherwise why have a poll on his personality and not the others? :) Personally, I believe the show would be too boring if he were not part of it. The "original" 4 person team each offers a unique personality to the show. McGee is an extra who is torn between wanting to be a techie like Abby and a street smart investigator like Dinozzo. Kate Todd was always fascinated with Gibbs (I believe) and wanted to like his jar head like get the job done attitude while deep inside actually liked the spars with Dinozzo. I think DB wrote her character as a Say no but I mean yes kind of woman. There were a few episodes where her hidden life became known to Dinozzo if you recall.

Yes, Fredfa if you discount the original introduction to the series which was a Jag show. But as I said, Kate Todd was part of the show as a Secret Service agent, not as part of the original NCIS team...
I always thought this was just a plot device to establish Kate's character.

I never thought they took advantage of her Secret Service background enough (until the final episodes). Her hidden life seemed incongruous for someone entrusted with presidential guard responsibilities, given the level of background checking she would have been subject to. I would imagine only the straightest of straight arrows qualify. But then, it's TV, not real life. ;)

BTW- to all who don't like Dinozzo's character because he's a sexist personality, I checked with the CBS poll and it seems he has a 57% favorable rating among viewers. But it must concern CBS otherwise why have a poll on his personality and not the others? :) ...
That's interesting. I wonder how a 57% approval rating compares with "normal" for an established series character. Seems like most would score much higher among series fans, but I have no basis for comparison.

(From Marc Berman’s Programming Insider column of Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at Mediaweek.com)

.. At 8 p.m., CBS’ NCIS remains the dominant force with a solid 11.3/17 in the overnights, 15.98 million viewers and a 4.0/11 among adults 18-49. Has anyone else noticed how NCIS has broken out in season three?..”

This first episode with Kate's replacement was pretty decent, Ziva seemed to fit in fairly well with the rest of the crew...personally, I think Sasha Alexander is far more pleasing to the eye though, Cote de Pablo doesn't do much for me at all.."Career Barbie" was fun though.. :D

Good Episode last week with the serial killer/lawyer copycat story.

Pretty brutal images from his scrapbook, shocking even by today's loosened TV standards.

I'm still enjoying the show, although I miss Kate.

Last night's episode was the best I've seen in ages. Definitely had the "good times" feel of some of last season's gems. I laughed so hard at some of the jokes...Tony having to carry the "dump can" around during the Civil War re-enactements...classic stuff.
And while Ziva might not be as visually compelling as Kate, she's turning out to be a great addition to the show.

It was a very good episode... I liked when Gibbs slapped her on the back of the Head in the Elevator... :)

...And while Ziva might not be as visually compelling as Kate...
She is to me. ;) It's a matter of personal taste, of course.

I like Kate better than Ziva! :(

This first episode with Kate's replacement was pretty decent, Ziva seemed to fit in fairly well with the rest of the crew...personally, I think Sasha Alexander is far more pleasing to the eye though, Cote de Pablo doesn't do much for me at all.."Career Barbie" was fun though.. :D

I find that Ziva brings much more character, wit, and charm to NCIS than Kate ever did. That interests me more than who is better looking.

She is to me. ;) It's a matter of personal taste, of course.

Ditto! Maybe its a geographic thing? :D

haha
I think Kate was better looking, but thats IMO.
Good show this past week, my friend who doesn't like NCIS laughed a couple times.

I don't know how it's even a question as to who is better looking. Kate in the schoolgirl outfit! :)

mikebaby

I don't know how it's even a question as to who is better looking. Kate in the schoolgirl outfit! :)

mikebaby

I'd have to see the new gal in something besides blue jeans to give you an opinion :-)

I'd have to see the new gal in something besides blue jeans to give you an opinion :-)

Maybe we can petition to get Ziva in a schoolgirl outfit.. Then we would have a comparison! :D

I find that Ziva brings much more character, wit, and charm to NCIS than Kate ever did. That interests me more than who is better looking.
Not sure about your second statement :p , but I agree with the first.

I always felt they never developed Kate's character as fully as they should have (her Secret Service background should have permitted them to give her more depth). They seem to be rectifying that with Zita, although it will take time to tell for sure.

Anybody notice Ziva doing "Gibbs moves" when she halted the elevator?
I thought that was cool. haha

(From Marc Berman’s Wednesday, October 19, 2005 Programming Insider column at Mediaweek.com)

“…Beginning with 8 p.m., CBS’ growing NCIS remained the dominant force, with a hefty 11.5/17 in the overnights, 17.11 million viewers and a 4.2/12 among adults 18-49. Comparably, that was an increase over the year-ago telecast (Overnights: 10.2/15; Viewers; 14.05 million; A18-49: 3.4/ 9 on Tuesday 10/14/04) of 13 percent in the overnights, 3.06 million viewers and 24 percent among adults 18-49. NCIS was most-watched Tuesday show for the second consecutive week, further solidifying its status as a top 10 program this season in total viewers…”

And both of those two weeks their competition, Bones, was either pre-empted by baseball or was a repeat. I usually record NCIS and watch Bones live. It will be interesting to see the trend as the season moves on. I personally like both of these programs. And, Ziva is beginning to take shape in the ensemble, I like it....

Behind a Quiet Little Hit, a Reliable Hit Maker

By Bill Carter The New York Times October 25, 2005

The most-watched show on Tuesday night is one that few in television would ever think of when compiling a list of the most popular shows on television. CBS's three-year-old crime drama "NCIS" has emerged as the hit nobody really knows about.

"It's the quiet little hit that is succeeding totally under the radar," said Leslie Moonves, the CBS chief executive. Not under CBS's radar, of course. The network is thrilled with the performance of "NCIS."

Indeed, for the last two weeks in a row, the series has posted its best ratings ever. It wins its time period, 8 p.m. Tuesday, every week - and not just among total viewers, where it amassed an impressive 17.7 million people last week. "NCIS" has steadily built its audience among viewers ages 18 to 49, one of the chief benchmarks of network success.

In that category, "NCIS" has also been scoring its best numbers ever, and this season it ranks second only to CBS's far more celebrated hit, "Survivor," among shows that lead off nights for networks.

And as Mr. Moonves pointed out, "NCIS" has another invaluable quality: it has proved itself to be the one show on television seemingly impervious to the wave of ratings numbers that crashes on Tuesday night in the winter when the Fox network adds "American Idol." "We never have to worry like the other networks do when 'Idol' comes in for Fox," Mr. Moonves said.

That this happened with a show so unheralded is remarkable and unexpected, though perhaps it shouldn't be. "NCIS," after all, is the latest series from one of television's most reliable hit makers, the writer-producer Donald P. Bellisario. Though his name has never become a household word along with some of television's other multihit program creators, like Steven Bochco or David E. Kelley, Mr. Bellisario's record is striking for the consistency of its success.

Mr. Bellisario has had a successful prime-time show on network television steadily for the last 25 years. First it was "Magnum P.I." on CBS; then "Quantum Leap" on NBC; "JAG" on CBS; and now "NCIS." That doesn't even count some other shows Mr. Bellisario created, like "Airwolf" in 1984 and "Tales of the Gold Monkey" in 1982.

"He doesn't win a lot of awards," Mr. Moonves said of Mr. Bellisario. "All he does is put on big commercial hits."

In some ways "NCIS" is Mr. Bellisario's greatest triumph, because it has so defied all expectations - even those of CBS. Mr. Bellisario said in a telephone interview that he had to battle his own network to steer his new show away from being stigmatized as a spinoff of "JAG."

The knock on "JAG" was always that it was a show almost exclusively for older viewers, those with a fondness for military yarns. And "NCIS" did start as a spinoff episode of "JAG." Mr. Bellisario said CBS so wanted to recreate what it had with "JAG" that the network insisted, against his strenuous objections, in calling the new series "Navy NCIS" in its first year. (The initials stand for Naval Criminal Investigation Service.)

"I fought that idea all the way," Mr. Bellisario said. "I did not want the show to be just a stopgap for CBS. I foresaw CBS saying this is good for now and always looking for something better."

So he rejected CBS's initial promotional efforts, which he felt made the show look like another military based drama - or else too much like CBS's big hit, "CSI." Mr. Bellisario wanted to include real humor as well as some murky back stories for his characters.

And he wanted to play down the military angle. He pointed out that he chose the naval branch of criminal investigations because it did not report directly to naval superiors and used civilian investigative agents. The stories simply have to involve military personnel.

Most of all, Mr. Bellisario was convinced he could start to pull in younger viewers, and he tailored his cast for that purpose. Beyond the lead actor, Mark Harmon, and the comeback to television of David McCallum, the cast of "NCIS" is largely made up of young actors. One, Pauley Perrette, even plays television's only regular goth personality.

Mr. Moonves said Mr. Bellisario was constantly pressing the network to emphasize his young, good-looking cast in promotions.

In many ways "NCIS" follows what has become a hugely successful formula for CBS. It's a crime show with a prominent male star in the lead, surrounded by a cast of quirky but loyal subordinates. The difference is Mr. Bellisario, who not only writes many of the episodes but also adds unusual stylistic touches.

He decided, for example, to shoot the show with multiple cameras, so that the actors in a scene never know when they are out of the shot. He uses overlapping dialogue whenever he can. Recently he added flashback sequences shot in grainy 16-millimeter black and white.

Then there was the stunning elimination last spring of a chief character: Kate, a young agent on the team. Mr. Bellisario said the actress, Sasha Alexander, came to him last year and said the pace was wearing her out; she wanted to leave the series.

Mr. Bellisario said: "I told her, 'All right, then I'm going to kill you.' She was taken aback."

He managed to incorporate the killing into an ongoing storyline about a terrorist named Ari who is the nemesis of the Mark Harmon character, Gibbs.

This season Mr. Bellisario added Lauren Holly to the cast as a new supervisor who happens to have had a steamy romantic past with Gibbs. He also wanted to bring in an exotic female character, so he introduced an Israeli agent with the arresting name of Ziva David, and hired an attractive young Chilean actress named Cote de Pablo to play her. "Les took one look at her and said, Wow!," Mr. Bellisario said.

The constant invention is part of a strategy to turn "NCIS" into an even bigger hit. And it all springs from the mind of the indefatigable Mr. Bellisario, who just recently celebrated his 70th birthday. A former Marine staff sergeant, who spent years as a journalist and then in advertising, Mr. Bellisario built his career in television mainly on sheer pluck.

He came to Hollywood in the 1970's determined to write feature films. But he told his agent at the time that he had only six weeks worth of cash. The agent suggested he try television. Mr. Bellisario hasn't stopped working since.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/25/arts/television/25ncis.html?pagewanted=print

Ok, did we know that Gibbs has/had a daughter? At least that's the impression I got from that brief scene in the basement with a little girl...

And so another "formula" series gets cranked out in Bellasario-land. What started as an interesting original series now looks like all the other Bellasario shows. You could even interchange characters from one show to another and not notice any difference. By way of contrast we had NYPD Blue which never cranked out predictable shows and quirky characters. That show's creator is now writing "Deadwood" another quality show which I challenge anyone to predict (other than Wild Bill Hickock gets shot). ROME is also another quality written show as is WEEDS.

Just watched the last episode tonight, but something really "stood out" that I hadn't noticed before.

Did the woman playing the director get a boob job?

I was wondering the same thing.

Ok, did we know that Gibbs has/had a daughter? At least that's the impression I got from that brief scene in the basement with a little girl...


My wife believes she remembers a brief dialog that said one of Gibb's wives and daughter had been killed.

My wife remembers that too. Apparently that's something women remember.

Thanks. I sure don't remember that, but there's a lot of things I don't remember anymore.. :D

Jumped between HD and SD tonight on the WCBS feed...

annoying after the 830 break. jumping back and forth between SD and HD..get it right

didnt have a problem at all tonight (kbtx-dt in bryan/college station). I know this election day so im betting most stations are screwing with the feeds to put in results (i know my nbc screwed up my name is earl because of this for about 5 mins)

I must say this was a pretty good episode... the fbi agents were hillarious :)

I think jagouar got it right. It was probably a local station issue. No elections here and no problems.

Was on WCBS HD off of E* KCBS was Ok... I think they were getting antsy with the switch... Good episode...

Could not find the correct NCIS thread..

Last nights episode, about the student with the bomb straped to him was great.
It was cool how Tony was being called the boss. ha
HDTV & DD 5.1 here in Tx.

There is not a 'native' thread for NCIS.. i searched within the HD Programming forum and i could only find 4 or 5 threads about NCIS.. this one seemed like the most 'native' one.

Last nights episode on 4/25/06 called 'Bloodbath' was pretty cool.
I liked how abby got drunk in Agent Gibbs boat building area. How she also broke off a some of his boat. Her attacking the stalker dude was cute too.

I miss kate :p

http://www.aahceleb.com/picture/alexandersasha_001.jpg

Spoilers.

Agent Gibbs left NCIS.
Wow, just watched part 2 of the NCIS season finale. Good stuff.
So agent Gibbs left Tony his position.

I wasn't sure if Zive was faking crying or really crying (During the show) I guess she was really crying.

fredfa, have you heard any news about a next season?

This was a no brainer - CBS renewed NCIS a couple of months ago.

I was shocked at the exit of Agent Gibbs. I think he was the glue that kept the team together..I think they are making a big mistake letting him leave show..Just my opinion

I was shocked at the exit of Agent Gibbs. I think he was the glue that kept the team together..I think they are making a big mistake letting him leave show..Just my opinion

Is he REALLY leaving for good?

Is he REALLY leaving for good?


If MH truly left the show you might has well forget about it.

The rest can't carry the show without him. If they want it to last they'll have to bring in a heavy hitter to replace him.

The title of the episode was "Hiatus".

Yes, I agree, if he truly left, the show wouldn't be around much longer.


Jerry

Mark Harmon will be back starring in NCIS.

But perhaps he and his former boss will first find the Mexican national who killed Gibbs' wife and daughter?

Mark Harmon will be back starring in NCIS.

But perhaps he and his former boss will first find the Mexican national who killed Gibbs' wife and daughter?


Gibbs already killed him.

I bet Gibbs will return in episode one of the new season!

Gibbs already killed him.

Someone (was it Tony?) said that he did, but we have no evidence that he did.

A bullet through the windshield of said drug lord, blood spray on the windsheld, a camera run up the line of site to the shooters area leading to Gibbs with a sniper's rifle was shown twice. Once in the earlier episode and once in the recap at the beginning of the season finale.

native thread.. i called it :p

FSugino,
good deal. Thanks

taxman48,
Yeah it won't be the same without Agent Gibbs. Eh, i said that about Kate too.
Good news Mark Hammon will be returning next season.

Great finale. Gibbs will be back of course.

Someone (was it Tony?) said that he did, but we have no evidence that he did.

It was his old boss, who told the Director that basically (paraphrasing), "you can close that (cold) case, Jethro would have killed him."

Personally, I do not think Harmon will be back for next season, although I'd love to see him back. Tony (don't know actors' name) will make a great "boss."

It was his old boss, who told the Director that basically (paraphrasing), "you can close that (cold) case, Jethro would have killed him."

Personally, I do not think Harmon will be back for next season, although I'd love to see him back. Tony (don't know actors' name) will make a great "boss."


Agent Anthony DiNozzo's (Tony) real name is Michael Weatherly.
Maybe Agent Gibbs will be back only for special cases. Or he will only be back in 'flashblacks of old cases clips' . Yeah, Tony would be a funny boss. We'll see

It was his old boss, who told the Director that basically (paraphrasing), "you can close that (cold) case, Jethro would have killed him."

No, it was Ducky

No, it was Ducky

So the choices so far have been:

Tony
"old boss"
Ducky

:p

Ahhh yes, I think I can picture the scene now, Director tells Ducky about Gibbs' dead familiy and mentions the cold case, and Ducky tells her that Gibbs would have already taken care of it.

Sorry about the confusion, too many good TV shows on Tuesday night... ;)

So the choices so far have been:

Tony
"old boss"
Ducky

:p

Ahhh yes, I think I can picture the scene now, Director tells Ducky about Gibbs' dead familiy and mentions the cold case, and Ducky tells her that Gibbs would have already taken care of it.

Sorry about the confusion, too many good TV shows on Tuesday night... ;)

ha. Yeah, there was alot of good TV shows Tuesday night.

And more tonight. :)

...Personally, I do not think Harmon will be back for next season, although I'd love to see him back. Tony (don't know actors' name) will make a great "boss."
I doubt CBS would have renewed the show without Mark Harmon. Maybe he could grow into it over time, but Michael Weatherly is not yet a strong enough screen personality to carry the series the way Harmon does.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn Harmon took some time off to do a movie or something (they did call the last two episodes "Hiatus," after all) but without him, it would become an altogether different show.

I doubt CBS would have renewed the show without Mark Harmon. Maybe he could grow into it over time, but Michael Weatherly is not yet a strong enough screen personality to carry the series the way Harmon does.

I wouldn't be surprised to learn Harmon took some time off to do a movie or something (they did call the last two episodes "Hiatus," after all) but without him, it would become an altogether different show.


I have to believe this was a 'cliffhanger' and not an actual firing/resignation of Mark Harmon. This show works because of the synergy amongst the cast, and Harmon is the glue that holds it all together. They have a hit show that maintains viewers in the 15-17 million range with little advertising/hype. It goes up against American Idol and comes out in good shape...why mess with that?

Someone (was it Tony?) said that he did, but we have no evidence that he did.

Ducky told the Jenny that there was no way Gibbs would have left the killer of his wife & child alive.

Someone (was it Tony?) said that he did, but we have no evidence that he did.

Perhaps not definitive evidence. But they did show Gibbs with a rifle with a telescopic sight and a blood splattered windshielf in the bad guy's vehicle.

Perhaps not definitive evidence. But they did show Gibbs with a rifle with a telescopic sight and a blood splattered windshielf in the bad guy's vehicle.

I would take that to mean Gibbs "took care of business".

If Harmon doesn't come back then I won't either.

If Harmon doesn't come back then I won't either.

He was in season premier tonight, the Shalom. I liked the episode, Tony being the boss is interesting. They also have a new probie (sp) .
I wonder if they will have any Kate flash backs this season.
HDTV and DD 5.1 here in TX.

He was also included in the opening credits for the episode. But the quick cuts had shots of his current "new look". Anyone remember if the Kate actress got into the opening credits for the episodes she appeared in post bullet to the head?

Why would anyone think he's leaving the show? There has been nothing mentioned about it. It's just a story arc to drive up the drama. This is one of my favorite shows but the PQ sucks. I think this is done on purpose but it doesn't pop like the unit or smith

(From Marc Berman’s Wednesday, September 20, 2006, Programming Insider column at Mediaweek.com )
Primetime Ratings For Tuesday, September 19th

…CBS opened the evening with the fourth season-premiere of NCIS at a comfortable, but somewhat diluted, 8.9/14 in the overnights (#2), 13.12 million viewers (#3) and a 3.3/ 9 among adults 18-49 (#3t) at 8 p.m. Compared to last season’s opener on Sept. 20, 2005, that was a decline of 14 percent in the overnights (10.4/15 to 8.9/14), 2.36 million viewers (15.48 to 13.12 million) and 13 percent among adults 18-49 (3.8/11 to 3.3/ 9)…

What the heck is the deal with the super grainy look with some of the shots on this show? If it's artistically intentional, all I can say is it looks like crap.

What the heck is the deal with the super grainy look with some of the shots on this show? If it's artistically intentional, all I can say is it looks like crap.

I didn't notice any grain but for the past several days the feeds from Pittsburgh's KDKA has been soft.

I did not notice the grainy look. Last nights episode was cool.
Gibbs seems to be an active roll in this seasons episodes.

One of the scenes I remember is when Gibbs was sitting down and was wiping something off a greaseboard and then there was a shot of Tony talking to the team in the bullpen, it was really hazy looking. There were a few more, it had a very low light filming situation look to it. I don't think it was a local issue as it was the same on KPIX-SF and KCBS-LA.

There was total grain!! I thought to myself wow this looks worse than it normally does. I think it's the way they shoot the show but it's always been bad but it doesn't bother me too much. The Unit and Smith look really good as does most of cbs shows. But NCIS is by far the worse.

One of the scenes I remember is when Gibbs was sitting down and was wiping something off a greaseboard and then there was a shot of Tony talking to the team in the bullpen, it was really hazy looking. There were a few more, it had a very low light filming situation look to it. I don't think it was a local issue as it was the same on KPIX-SF and KCBS-LA.
Jim,
NCIS is one of my favorite programs and never miss an episode. I watched the last show OTA and it looked fine, didn't notice the hazy look that you saw. What service where you watching it on, Dish, Directv, Comcast ????
The only thing I noticed that I didn't particularly like was the final scene where Gibbs is sitting at his desk with a caterpillar under his nose, I hope he get's back to his Marine Corp roots and shaves it off.... ;)

Laters,
Mikef5

Jim,
NCIS is one of my favorite programs and never miss an episode. I watched the last show OTA and it looked fine, didn't notice the hazy look that you saw. What service where you watching it on, Dish, Directv, Comcast ????
The only thing I noticed that I didn't particularly like was the final scene where Gibbs is sitting at his desk with a caterpillar under his nose, I hope he get's back to his Marine Corp roots and shaves it off.... ;)

Laters,
Mikef5
Check the scene I referred to above if you have it still, there was definitely something, it may have been a conscious artistic effect, but it was certainly there, and there was more than one instance of it. It looked exactly how it would look when shooting in low light.

I checked it on Comcast, both with the TiVo S3 and the 6412, and with DirecTV from KCBS-LA, they all looked the same.

Yeah, the new look has gotta go, he looks like a college professor or something.

Check the scene I referred to above if you have it still, there was definitely something, it may have been a conscious artistic effect, but it was certainly there, and there was more than one instance of it. It looked exactly how it would look when shooting in low light.

I checked it on Comcast, both with the TiVo S3 and the 6412, and with DirecTV from KCBS-LA, they all looked the same.

Yeah, the new look has gotta go, he looks like a college professor or something.
As luck would have it, I did record it off of Comcast and I did notice a little graininess to the picture but no hazy look. The picture off OTA didn't have that graininess but the Comcast picture does have a slight grain to it.
Gibbs needs to go back to the high and tight look, more believable that he was a Marine and not a geek professor.

Laters,
Mikef5

Tonights episode 'Singled Out' did not show Liza Lapira (NCIS Special Agent Michelle Lee) Tony mentioned she got transfered.. that was short. I also notice some talk about Tony is below Gibbs now.
HDTV and DD 5.1 here in Tx.

Do Tony and Jenny have a "thing" going? There was mention of him having a secret GF during the show and he keeps calling her by her name rather than Director. He also made some comments questioning if Gibbs was OK to run the squad.....maybe a hint to send him down the road. Hmmmmm.

Regarding the "secret girlfriend" thing, I had thought that Tony and the director talked about him being involved in some undercover assignment (wasn't that his first stated reason for turning down the Spain job?). Perhaps this assignment is secret from the rest of the team and he made up a secret girlfriend to explain away the time he spends on the undercover work...

Woah.
A couple of things. Is Gibbs back in his old position, as boss of the NCIS team? Seems like he is. I noticed Special Agent Michelle Lee was back in the episode, her and Jimmy Palmer were making out, going at it! Ha it was funny to see Palmer get some female action. :p

Woah.
A couple of things. Is Gibbs back in his old position, as boss of the NCIS team? Seems like he is. I noticed Special Agent Michelle Lee was back in the episode, her and Jimmy Palmer were making out, going at it! Ha it was funny to see Palmer get some female action. :p

My fiance and I got a kick out of that...we both thought he was playing for the OTHER team. (no, not the FBI) :-)

Good for them!

This show finally looks decent starting with tonight's episode. Now the picture is sharper, better lit and has much less of that red push it's been famous for since the 1st episode. Wonder if they heard our complaints or got a new cameraman or something?

Abby makes one hot Marilyn!

Abby makes one hot Marilyn!
Yeah, she cleaned up nice.
Good halloween episode, HD and DD 5.1 here in Tx.

Abby makes one hot Marilyn!

OMG! What did I miss????

Screencaps. Screencaps.
Please! ;)

OMG! What did I miss????

Screencaps. Screencaps.
Please! ;)

I've always thought Pauley Perette was cute, but dressed up as MM she was a knockout. The funny bit was how McGee couldn't keep his eyes off of her.....um....costume.

She did look much nicer as I can't stand her 'normal' goth-look.

She was semi cute as a Marilyn, but woefully short in the "corporation up front" dep't!

and I'm sorry, huge tats on a woman make me ill. Real Fugly!

I second that....

Tonights episode called 'Driven' was good. I liked the idea of the plot, the SUV.
All that sexual harassment talk was funny.
HD and DD 5.1 here in Tx.

Abby makes one hot Marilyn!
Not

To each his own. I agree, Abby was one hot Marilyn.

FYI for those that didn't hear the news: Michael Gilden that plays Abby's new boyfriend died on Dec. 5th.

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/12/12/celeb_snippet_return_of_the_jedi_actor_m


http://www.etonline.com/tv/news/38038/index.html

FYI for those that didn't hear the news: Michael Gilden that plays Abby's new boyfriend died on Dec. 5th.

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/12/12/celeb_snippet_return_of_the_jedi_actor_m


http://www.etonline.com/tv/news/38038/index.html

How unfortunate. I thought their interactions were kind of neat.

Wow, thats not fun.
I thought his character was good in NCIS.
Without your post Couch Patato I would not have known. Thanks for posting the sad news.

I didn't see that ending coming. Good Job at misdirection.

The question is, how much does Jeanne know about her dad's business?

If that was Bellasario bowing out (he wrote the episode) he exited with style.

And I kept worrying they were going to kill Jeanne off in the final minutes a la Kate two years ago.

This should be much more fun for next season.

That was a great ending, and it was a very different style of episode for this show as well, all nicely done. NCIS is still one of my top favorites.

My wife had a theory: What if Tony's assignment from the director was to infiltrate LaGranuille's organization through his daughter? Then, in the process, he actually fell in love with her?

It would explain why he was so reluctant to get "too serious" with her. Lies, intrigue, betrayal....worth at least another season!

(From Marc Berman’s Wednesday, May 23, 2007, Programming Insider column and blog at Mediaweek.com )

“…The final battle between Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis on American Idol scored 24.51 million viewers with a 9.3 rating/27 share among adults 18-49 from 8-9 p.m….

A distant second in the 8 p.m. hour was the season-finale of CBS’ underrated NCIS, with 13.88 million viewers and a 3.3/ 8 among adults 18-49….”

• Source: Nielsen Media Research data
http://pifeedback.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/63310451/m/15610835

I kind of saw that coming. I think it is part of a bigger plot and am really waiting for next season. At least they didn't kill off any of the leads.

My wife had a theory: What if Tony's assignment from the director was to infiltrate LaGranuille's organization through his daughter? Then, in the process, he actually fell in love with her?

It would explain why he was so reluctant to get "too serious" with her. Lies, intrigue, betrayal....worth at least another season!


FYI, the character is Le Grenouille, which means the frog.

Great episode, love the show.

Since we're nitpicking the correct french term is....

"La Grenouille" actually! :D

I kind of saw that coming. I think it is part of a bigger plot and am really waiting for next season. At least they didn't kill off any of the leads.

I did too, I always wondered why he never mentioned what he did to her. They always seemed to go out of their way not to mention what he did.

It struck me as a bit odd though, when she had that look on her face when Tony reached for his gun. But then later, not even a hint as to something like "Tony, why were you reaching for a gun?". I mean its not like she is the typical "airhead" type that Tony dated that would probably forget about it, she's a doctor and I wouldnt have assumed she would just brush off the gun-reach without questioning it. Didnt the Frog call him a professor in the limo? Not many prof's I knew carried a sidearm (thank god!) :)

Another question, do we know how Tony and Jeanne met originally?

Since we're nitpicking the correct french term is....

"La Grenouille" actually! :D


Yeah, you are correct. Frog is feminine not masculine. My high school French has failed me. :D Zut alors.

missed the finale, can anyone fill me in? thanks

missed the finale, can anyone fill me in? thanksOne of the more interesting episodes. I think it would loose a lot in translation. You'd be better off going here (http://www.cbs.com/primetime/ncis/), then clicking on the innertube link on the right side.

While I didn't particularly care for the episode, some of your posts did open my eyes to things I barely noticed over this season. NCIS doesn't get discussed much here and I don't frequent any of the shows fan sites. I'd totally missed the fact that the Doctor gf doesn't know that Tony is NCIS...I just assumed she did. When Tony reached for his gun, I just thought why doesn't he have it. Now I do agree, he's been on a solo op from the beginning...poor Doc...never liked her anyway...poor Tony...be cool if he's not really involved, just being a good spy, thus the reluctance to get busy at first and now dragging feet about housing ;)

Critic’s Notebook
"NCIS" whips the cool shows
By David Kronke Los Angeles Daily News Television Critic in his “The Mayor Of Television” blog May 30, 2007

CBS would like you to know that despite all the media hoopla surrounding shows like “Heroes,” “Lost” and “24,” in the last week of sweeps when shows were presenting their season finales, its own series, “NCIS,” averaged more viewers than any of them – 14.14 million, to be precise. By contrast, “Lost” had 13.86m, “Heroes,” 13.48m, and “24,” 10.31m.

Of course, “NCIS’s” audience skewed a little older than the demographic most sought after by advertisers, and those other shows no doubt all lured more viewers aged 18-49. On the other hand, none of those other shows had to go up against “American Idol’s” final night of competition, either.

(Though, to be fair, “Lost” may have arguably had a tougher task – the first 75 minutes of its two-hour finale aired opposite the announcement of the new “American Idol.”) “NCIS” ranked No. 5, among all primetime programs (“House,” the top-rated scripted series on the season, ended its run the previous week), behind only the competition and results finales of “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars.”

OK, so CBS wanted you to know that, and now you do. Carry on.

http://www.insidesocal.com/tv/

fredfa,

Thanks for the information.

I posted it over on the "Hot Off The Press" sticky, but thought a lot of (fellow) NCIS fans might never see it there. :)

Critic’s Notebook
"NCIS" whips the cool shows
By David Kronke Los Angeles Daily News Television Critic in his “The Mayor Of Television” blog May 30, 2007

CBS would like you to know that despite all the media hoopla surrounding shows like “Heroes,” “Lost” and “24,” in the last week of sweeps when shows were presenting their season finales, its own series, “NCIS,” averaged more viewers than any of them – 14.14 million, to be precise. By contrast, “Lost” had 13.86m, “Heroes,” 13.48m, and “24,” 10.31m.

Of course, “NCIS’s” audience skewed a little older than the demographic most sought after by advertisers, and those other shows no doubt all lured more viewers aged 18-49. On the other hand, none of those other shows had to go up against “American Idol’s” final night of competition, either.

(Though, to be fair, “Lost” may have arguably had a tougher task – the first 75 minutes of its two-hour finale aired opposite the announcement of the new “American Idol.”) “NCIS” ranked No. 5, among all primetime programs (“House,” the top-rated scripted series on the season, ended its run the previous week), behind only the competition and results finales of “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars.”

OK, so CBS wanted you to know that, and now you do. Carry on.

http://www.insidesocal.com/tv/

Well that's good to hear because it is a great, underappreciated show.

Thing is though, I'm getting tired of hearing of shows being cancelled because they don't fit the "18-49" demographic. Many of us "baby boomers" actually have more disposable income than advertizers think. Plus, there are a lot of us!

I was always fairly contemptuous of JAG, because it stretched the bonds of believability until they snapped. But I have to admit, despite my attempts to avoid it I have gotten to like NCIS. Especially because they keep making the CSI jokes ;)

Many of us "baby boomers" actually have more disposable income than advertizers think. Plus, there are a lot of us!

Yes but we are old, set-in-our-ways and mostly immune to advertising ... unless it's for some "pharmaceutical" product. ;)

This is one of my favorite shows but I still miss Kate

It struck me as a bit odd though, when she had that look on her face when Tony reached for his gun. But then later, not even a hint as to something like "Tony, why were you reaching for a gun?". I mean its not like she is the typical "airhead" type that Tony dated that would probably forget about it, she's a doctor and I wouldnt have assumed she would just brush off the gun-reach without questioning it. Didnt the Frog call him a professor in the limo? Not many prof's I knew carried a sidearm (thank god!) :)

Another question, do we know how Tony and Jeanne met originally?

I don't think they've ever really explained how they meet originally . The first time they showed them together, the two of them were eating dinner. I think it was the episode where the guy was blown up on the golf course.

Early on in this season they implied that the Doctor was part of Tony's secret mission, but it never seemed to go anywhere. They kept who her father was a secret until the final episode. Very well done in my opinion.

Yes but we are old, set-in-our-ways and mostly immune to advertising ... unless it's for some "pharmaceutical" product. ;)

...or HD TV, Blu Ray-HD DVD, Receivers, Speakers, Processors, hot sports cars the we believe make us look younger than we are and make us "babe magnets" (if only)....targeted marketing....there's more in them thar 401k's than they realize!!!! :D

...or HD TV, ....

LOL ... I see the inoculations have yet to take effect among some of us. :D

Many of us in 18-49 watch NCIS. Most of my friends watch it and it is one of the more talked about sows (of course we all watched Studio 60 as well so maybe I just come from an odd group!)

Enjoyed this season a lot -- agree that it is clearly a Tony secret mission (although I think he has fallen for the Doc -- otherwise don't see why there would have been reluctance to say I love you for the missions sake).