‘NCIS’ season 12 spoilers: Going back in time forty years
There are cold cases, and then there is a pretty epic cold case that is going to be at the center of an upcoming episode of “NCIS.” CBS was kind enough today to reveal some of the first details for “Patience,” the upcoming episode of the show airing on Tuesday, March 31. After some more character-specific episodes, whether you are talking about seeing more Robert Wagner or the next new episode featuring Margo Harshman, this one on the surface at least seems to be more about the case itself.
After all, the network’s synopsis suggests that the biggest individual moment for a character just revolves around McGee having a little bit of jealousy when it comes to a case that is four decades old:
“The murder of a petty officer sparks a lead in a 40 year old airport bombing cold case that Gibbs and DiNozzo have been assigned to for the past two years. Also, McGee is jealous that he was not previously briefed on the cold case.”
While we don’t quite think that “fun is the best adjective to describe a murder case, we do imagine that there could be some cool stuff that comes out of seeing what sort of events transpired so many decades ago. Cold cases are typically good on procedurals, at least so long as they are not the sort of thing that you see too often. They break up some of the patterns that you start to see elsewhere.
We’re going to have some more “NCIS” scoop very soon, so be on the lookout for that.
What do you want to see on this particular “NCIS” episode? Share with a comment, and head over here to preview more of Harshman’s return! Also, sign up to get some other TV news on everything we cover, courtesy of our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: CBS.)
Charlotte
March 13, 2015 @ 11:51 pm
Still good, still interesting, and I’m still amazed that people complain about the same old formula and then when they change the formula they complain about that. I’m thoroughly enjoying the season, particularly Gibbs and McGee, but I have also enjoyed Tony and Bishop, Ducky and Abby, and the occasional Palmer. This is still my favorite show and I hope to see it going strong for several more seasons. Even for the episodes that are not my favorites, upon rewatching I always find memorable scenes and quotes.
liz laughlin
March 13, 2015 @ 8:15 am
I watched The Artful Dodger. The title with the Dickens reference was the most interesting part for me. The rest was pretty ho hum. I hadn’t watched for two weeks. I was hoping that absence would make the heart grow fonder but it really didn’t. This used to be my favorite show. Now it’s becoming increasing difficult to watch. I keep hoping that the writers will find their way. I hate to say it but this is becoming an old people’s show. I’m an old people and this show just has no snap to it anymore.. I’m getting a lot more entertainment value from NCIS–LA. We’ll see if they can get some excitement and humor back into it but I’m not holding my breath. They should watch previous seasons to see what they used to do but it is very hard to critique your own work. There is a halo effect around one’s own work. We tend to see it as better than what it is. They need to remember what Bellisario said about his show years ago– in a nutshell, it’s about two things, relationships and humor. For me now, it’s NCIS-LA and The Blacklist, a bit of very intriguing TV noir.
Erin
March 12, 2015 @ 11:58 pm
More revolving around McGee. The Artful Dodger which one would have thought might be Tony centric revolved around McGee and Senior instead. The next case revolves around Delilah, which certainly means more revolving around McGee. Then we have the 40 year old case revolving around – you guessed it – McGee!!!! I can’t for the life of me figure out why Tony is still on the team. Between Gibbs and McGee getting all the action and drama, Tony just kind of stands around not contributing much of anything anymore. Tony has always been my favorite character but I kind of wish they’d let him take the job in Rota or kill him dramatically or something so I wouldn’t keep watching in the obviously vain hope that the writers are going to give him something besides the comic moment.
Lisa Liscoumb
March 13, 2015 @ 2:35 am
Uhm, no. It revolves around “a 40 year old airport bombing cold case that Gibbs and DiNozzo have been assigned to for the past two years”. McGee being jealous seems incidental to the main plot point. I’ll reserve judgement until I see this one. I rushed to judgement on The Artful Dodger, and was actually very pleasantly surprised.
Pay
March 13, 2015 @ 3:53 am
Somehow I doubt that despite that the spoiler says “Gibbs and DiNozzo” that Tony will do much besides be obnoxious when poor little Timmy’s nose is bent out of shape. Of course Gibbs will do something brave or and smart or and heroic as usual, and since the writers are all about making sure McGee is second most valuable, he’ll probably provide the missing piece to solve the case despite his hurt feelings. It’s the McGibbs season afterall. Tony no longer actually has a purpose as an agent. He’s comic relief of looks good doing nothing of significance.
Barb
March 13, 2015 @ 11:53 pm
Looks good doing nothing, like finding the phone number in the trash that McGee would have TOTALLY missed this Tuesday that proved the one guy was lying, not to mention his backing up Gibbs in that final scene where Gibbs very much showed his appreciation for Tony. Like being the one without question who was going to Vietnam with Gibbs. Or the one that figured out the fake agent on was likely fake on the Thanksgiving episode (Ellie recognized him but Tony was the one that caught him out and led that WHOLE thing). Or that Cadence wasn’t ALL about Tony’s history, where most of the McGee “centered” eps are about his present (exceptions being the ones dealing with his father, who’s now dead).
Yeah, it’s ALL about McGee these days. Because after more than a decade of being a team, they aren’t almost equals. Totally equals? Of course not. Tony was a cop, Tim was a science and tech geek. Tony came into NCIS with investigative training, Tim did not. Unless they’re blind or actively don’t like Tony (which, why?), I don’t think a single person would say that Tim outweighs Tony in Gibbs eyes. Mayhaps Gibbs is realizing that Tim should be allowed in on more, should feel a little bit more in the lead from time to time. That kid’s got a big head, can be a little brat, but he’s not stupid. And I think if it came down to it, he’d be able to admit all of this. Much like I think Tony would say McGee is good at the job too.
Not to mention the YEARS where it was Tony and Gibbs, Tony and Gibbs, Tony and Gibbs, and then Ziva and Gibbs? Because that made a whole lot of sense too, especially as early as it appeared.
Tony is still, in my opinion, the heart of this show. Gibbs is the drama and the brain, but Tony? Tony gives us comic relief (which he’s ALWAYS done??) and caring and insecurity and confidence. Yeah, he could be a little less silly, but that doesn’t mean he’s suddenly unimportant. At least now he’s not just a handbag anymore.
Seeing as how McGee has become a bit big-for-his-britches at times (as the synopsis of this seems to imply) that he feels he should be read into things that perhaps the higher ups DON’T think he should be, why don’t we focus on that? Why hate watch something simply to add to a never ending list of things you don’t like about this show?
And before the same ol’ accusation gets thrown at me yet again, no, I’m in no way saying you shouldn’t watch. I’m asking why, that is all. Because once I get to the point of hate watching something, which seems to be the case with many, I stop complaining. I’ve stepped in it purposely, and I might still care about something but jeez, I can’t waste my energy listing out why I don’t like it anymore. (Could have written papers on things like the last season of Highlander, or the Twilight series, which just got more offensive as it continued but I couldn’t stop reading it, or numerous other things to various to list.)
Yeah, the show is different, and even I don’t get quite as excited about it as I did a few years ago. But compared to two years ago? It’s much more entertaining, it’s fresher, and while I miss each and every character we’ve lost (with one exception, and no it’s not Ziva) I love the fact that we’re getting a little bit of everyone these days, and not just basically two of the characters all of the time. There’s EIGHT people on this show, not 2 or 3. We should have a decent and proportional balance put on everyone, with the exception of Gibbs (because hello, lead), and I think they’re doing that better then since like season 5 or 6.
Dana Jo jGraslie
March 12, 2015 @ 11:31 pm
Sounds a little too old to keep my interest. 20 years back maybe but…where have the good cases gone?? I still hold out hope for a good cliff hanger finale. GG better deliver. The show needs it.
Lee
March 13, 2015 @ 12:23 am
The episode considered one of the all-time best of the series went back 60+ years.
Dana Jo jGraslie
March 13, 2015 @ 3:17 am
Could be interesting. The show hasnt impressed me this year. Not saying the episides that go back that far cant be interesting. What episode went baxk 60 years?? Im sure ive seen it. I just need areminder.
Lee
March 13, 2015 @ 7:58 am
Call of Silence from season 2.
I was just reading about it yesterday. Seems that many people agree it is one of the best episodes that the show has done, and I’d probably agree with that, although it isn’t my favorite episode.
Dana Jo jGraslie
March 13, 2015 @ 11:19 am
“Call of Silence” was awesome. Was just commenting on something else about when the soldiers saw Yosh’s medal, they instantly saluted him. Even if he was being charged with murder, they didn’t forget to honor who he was. The soldiers grow with age and so should our respect, I think. Very good episode. :)