‘NCIS’ season 12, episode 8 review: Was ‘Semper Fortis’ the Gibbs story you wanted?
We’re sitting here after watching Tuesday night’s new episode of “NCIS” feeling somewhat conflicted, and at the same time, almost feeling a little bit guilty for having some of these conflicted feelings.
To get at what we are saying here, we can tell that the heart was in the right place here, and we really felt for the woman at the center of the case. She was trying to do the right thing and save the lives of those who needed her the most, and yet she was facing legal consequences for it. In what world is this okay?
The problem we suppose we ran into in here creatively was that the show really stressed time and time again how terrible this law was, and how it really needed to be changed. It was almost too much on a soapbox to really be enjoyed, and we prefer it when “NCIS” episodes do not try this hard.
This was still a good episode as a whole for Mark Harmon, who really did his best to lift the story to a certain gravitas. Gibbs hasn’t had a ton of great storylines this year, so this was one of the better ones.
Overall, we really felt like the idea of this story and its message were strong, but the execution of it still could have been better. You knew that the bad guy really behind the incident was going to see himself arrested, and that in the end, there would be some good news.
Probably the best moment of the entire episode came between McGee and Abby, where he tried to convince her to keep her current boyfriend around for a little while. We’ve missed interaction between these characters, and this was nice.
So we enjoyed the story, but wished that the overall tale was not as predictable as it ended up being. Maybe next time. Grade: B-.
What did you think about this episode of “NCIS”? Share your thoughts now with a comment, and head over here to preview the next installment of the series! You can also sign up now to get some other updates on everything we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo via CBS.)
Crystal Miller
November 22, 2014 @ 11:40 pm
The law part was the highlight in the episode. I give it a c-.
Michael Snyder
November 21, 2014 @ 3:35 pm
The real point of the episode wasn’t the law. Several states have laws that compel medically trained civilians to respond to an accident they witness. Any medically trained person who drives away can be prosecuted. Several states have laws that prevent giving life saving measures by other than medical professionals as a means to prevent untrained responders from doing more harm than good. The point was that while Army and AF medics are certified as Level 1 EMTs by their training, Navy corpsmen who get the same level of training (all medical training is governed by DoD standards) are not certified by the Navy. Moreover, all Soldiers and Marines receive Combat Life Saving training, which envolves responding to immediate action to save and stabilize the patient for further medical attention. Yet in those states with the “medical professional” only law, a Soldier or Marine with experience in treating combat induced wounds is precluded from providing assistance. Perhaps the laws need to recognize that circumstances have changed since they were passed.
I thought it was a nice moment too between Abby and McGee. He has Delilah, and now he wants Abby to be happy.
Erin
November 22, 2014 @ 4:02 am
Sadly, IMO, the whole point of the story was to flatter Gibbs. Period.
Guest
November 20, 2014 @ 12:30 am
Missing ziva. All the interesting strong women besides abbey are gone
Lorraine64
November 19, 2014 @ 4:07 pm
Must say I’m confused. Just because Anna happened to travel with a first aid kit (incidentally compulsory in some countries) she wasn’t exactly attempting to practice without a license. And since Anna was very obviously a civilian why was she not protected by
the Good Samaritan laws anyway. Besides as ncisregular states below, would it not be a civil matter? Surely she would only have faced a problem if either the victims, their relatives, the professional EMTS’s or hospital staff had an issue with what she did – which obviously they didn’t – quite the contrary.
Since NCIS is such a high profile programme my concern is by implying that if you helped someone you could be be charged it might actually hinder someone in real life from attempting to help in an emergency.
On the subject of Abby – I was very disappointed that after Abby confronted Tony about his dating habits only a couple of episodes ago that Tony didn’t confront Abby in the lab scene this week. I hate it that he is always portrayed as so weak. Tony has know Abby for nearly 14 years, they’ve gone through life and death situations together – it’s totally ridiculous that he feels he can’t have a personal adult conversation with her. And since when did he start not getting involved in other people’s business anyway. Tony was forever getting into everyone elses business.
Interesting to see that it looks like Gibbs may also be getting a love interest this season. Just a shame that it’s all happening in the one series. McGee has Delilah; I’m thinking Ducky has stayed in touch with his English lady; Palmer of course has Breena; Abby’s now going out with Burt; Bishop’s got her hubby; and apparently Tony’s love interest is down the line too. Aren’t we all one big happy (and dare I say subsequently totally boring…) family. The only odd one out is poor Vance….
liz laughlin
November 19, 2014 @ 6:08 am
As I said before, I don’t see why Tony or anyone would want to take dating advice from Abby.
ncisregular
November 19, 2014 @ 5:42 am
There’s no law prohibiting the corpsman’s help. If anything this is a civil matter not criminal. A jurisdiction might even argue, “If one did nothing that might be considered criminal.” Love NCIS but the premise for this episode was very far fetched. Just saying.
Lorraine64
November 19, 2014 @ 4:14 pm
Well said – made no sense to me either. As far as I could see the only issue was that unlike medics in the rest of the armed forces corpsmen come out without a recognised qualification – something that should undoubtedly be addressed.
Nferg53
November 19, 2014 @ 2:38 am
Who was the man that Gibbs talked to in the diner?
Dido Twite
November 19, 2014 @ 2:09 am
Sick to death of Super Gibbs. Saint Gibbs. He was a minor player. The guest actress was fantastic. Bishop was worthless as she always is.
sadtonyfan
November 20, 2014 @ 12:48 am
I’m sick of super walks on water saves the day Gibbs, so no – this wasn’t the Gibbs story I wanted. I want a “Gibbs story” where the story doesn’t have to slam home yet again just how super wonderful and awesome Gibbs is. My desired “Gibbs story” is one that doesn’t focus and revolve around showing the audience what a superior human being he is. My perfect “Gibbs story” is one in which Tony is featured in a danger filled crime story arc where Tony is portrayed as an awesome agent and a heroic person while Gibbs and the team support him and look on in admiration. In other words – I’ll never get the “Gibbs story” that I want, but instead the usual entrée of super Gibbs with a side of idiot/insignificant Tony.