‘NCIS’ season 12, episode 10 review: ‘House Rules’ touches on McGee, his father
Tonight, “NCIS” season 12 said goodbye for 2014 with “House Rules,” an episode that from start to finish was really about rules. The story was framed through the lens of McGee, who was writing a letter to his father, and relating his experiences on a new case involving hackers to the relationship that he has had with his dad, and with Gibbs, over the years. The two had a touch relationship, but the letter was his way to air out some of his feelings.
This episode was for the most part emotional, but also a clip show in part … which we are never a big fan of. Still, they did serve a purpose here, and as we got a little closer to the end of the story we started to understand more of why it was crafted this way: Ultimately, this was a story about McGee coming to terms with the death of his father. It’s a part of life, and never an easy thing to handle. Emotionally, it’s made even harder based on how Gibbs just lost his father at the end of last season.
Was this a potentially shocking reveal? Probably not, since it felt like the whole time McGee’s letter was to give himself a certain level of peace. Still, the case within the episode smartly chose to integrate enough humor to be a diversion, and was careful to not be too action-packed or violent.
In the end, we did laugh a few times in here, got a little choked up at others, and the ending was extremely powerful. This has been a big season for Tim, given that we’ve seen him in life-or-death situations, and question his past with Abby. Hopefully, all of this will build towards an excellent thread coming up in a second half. Grade: A-.
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Beverly
December 18, 2014 @ 3:44 am
I think Sean Murray did a wonderful job last night. The story about him, the flashbacks and his dad were both funny and touching. The ending was very moving when you realize that his father has died. He wrote out all the things he wanted to say to his father but did not get a chance to as often happens in real life. Wish the three hackers could have had a little more action. Still not understanding the role of Bishop. No one will ever answer the question what exactly is her purpose, what does she add to the team and what are her skills? She is just another body in the office. The whole exchange between her and Tony at the beginning felt forced and stilted as did her explanation to Gibbs about the internet using file drawers. IT just wasn’t funny. Imagine the same exchanges if it were Tony and Dornigan or Abby? it would have been more relaxed and carefree but hey that’s my opinion. This however I think is one of the best episodes of Season 12. Good job S.M. a.k.a McGee!!!