‘NCIS’ season 12, episode 4 review: Did Tony make a love connection with Leia Pendergast?
After a few episodes of “NCIS” that felt a little bit like more of the same, we do feel like Tuesday night’s new episode “Choke Hold” was in some ways a shake-up.
The case tonight was interesting enough, given that you had a story on a complicated death involving wires, extradition, and a new arrival from the FBI in Leia Pendergast. What was her endgame? That was something curious from the get-go, as it was curious that Tony had a few feelings for her. Unfortunately, the problem that came with this is that she seemed smart enough to try and take advantage of him.
What we did learn about Leia throughout the episode was that she is difficult, calculating, and probably not actual romance material. Also, most of the concerns about her being a long-term Tony love interest were overblown. We don’t know if she’ll be back, but the “what is Tony spelled backwards” line was somewhat brilliant.
The episode shined mostly because of a series of twists and turns, and that is what made it so entertaining throughout. The problem that we had with this hour was mostly the presence of the Russians yet again as opposition. How many times is the series really planning on going back to this well this season? We’re only four episodes in, but we are already getting at the point where so much of the story is starting to blend together. As of right now, we definitely do not consider that to be a good thing. Grade: B-.
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TullaT
October 17, 2014 @ 9:52 pm
The Tony spelled backwards line was actually used years ago when Tony was interrogating someone. I can’t remember the episode.
Leia, yuck. They wasted no time with a movie reference (her name) and later on, they talked about old TV shows. That’s lazy shorthand for “chemistry with Tony” and my eyes hurt from rolling so hard. I didn’t see much chemistry between them at all. She just came across as nasty.
Sandi Brooks
October 15, 2014 @ 11:46 pm
A Zivaesque clone merely means Tony is still missing his ninja and trying to find a way to substitute. Want chemistry? Tony with Ziva had it in spades. Burned up the screen. Anyone else will never work.
Beverly
October 15, 2014 @ 2:35 pm
I didn’t enjoy the episode last night. That’s not to say it was bad. It just didn’t get me caught up in the story and the whole Bishop Tim Tony sex opening almost made me want to leave the room. Bishop joining in with the guys didn’t feel “organic” as Mr. Glasberg would say. It was done so that Bishop could hopefully get a laugh. I didn’t laugh. It was a decent episode overall. Agree that I don’t want to see the Russian “villains” in every episode. Still not loving Bishop who contributes nothing special to the team. FBI Agent Leia was a good actress but much like they did with Bishop they overused her in her first introduction to NCIS. Too much Leia and Tony for a first meeting had any natural flirting (that might have worked) feel forced. As for a natural feel (even though Tony lied) Jean Bennoit and Tony had good chemistry. She might however make a good NCIS probie barring any romance with Tony. I can tell that they are trying to mature Abby. I hope not too much because I love Abby as she is. I still feel that the show doesn’t flow like it used to. Before the changes I could watch the whole hour and be totally caught up in the story. Now it feels more like start and stop action.
TullaT
October 17, 2014 @ 9:53 pm
Bishop talking about sex made my skin crawl. Ew gross, just no.
Jayce Everling
October 15, 2014 @ 1:23 am
I don’t agree. I like it when a villain is used for more than one thing. It makes the show feel as if it had more of a constant plot