‘NCIS’ season 13 premiere reaction: Gibbs struggles with life and death
Does “NCIS” get to move on now from the story of The Calling? If nothing else, we do at least feel like the show has done some justice to what happened to Agent Gibbs.
First and foremost, the obvious news: Mark Harmon’s character is alive! He made it through surgery thanks to Dr. Taft (a superb Jon Cryer), but not before battling so many of his inner demons. The struggle that Gibbs is facing in the wake of what happened with Luke is him wondering just what the purpose of it all is at this point. He’s lost some of that fire, and doesn’t feel like there is really much he can do anymore to see the world. Not even the ghosts of Mike Franks or Kelly could psych him out of that at all.
At the end of the story, Taft does remind Gibbs that he does still have his team, and doesn’t need to go through this period of forlorn recovery alone. We’re just not sure if he is going to listen. This has never been one of Gibbs’ stronger suits. His refusal to listen to Luke via Skype was just one example of that, even if he had a pretty strong motive for not wanting to do so in this instance.
Halfway around the world we did see Budd taken down by DiNozzo and Teague, and in a way that completely took away any hope of a villain monologue Budd could hope to have. It’s a moment that the show needed to a certain extent, but we just don’t feel like the emotional resonance of this story is over yet. The same goes for re-forging the relationship between Tony and Gibbs, which still felt broken at the end of the episode.
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Charlotte
September 23, 2015 @ 5:41 pm
Excellent story and acting all around! I loved the new Gibbs look but would have loved it more with a smile now and then. Maybe down the road we will see that. Superb writing and acting. One of my highlights was the ending scene with Gibbs and Taft. Mark Harmon loves to play dark characters and he did well in the premier.
Tina Pottinger Pawass
September 23, 2015 @ 6:12 am
I have been wondering who was going to leave. I really felt that it would be “Ducky”, David McCallum. But now with the way this episode felt, now I wonder if Gibbs is really dead and just going thru the motions in his mind. I really hope not, also why bring in Jon Cryer unless he is taking Ducky’s place. hmmm much to think about
sadtonyfan
September 27, 2015 @ 3:35 pm
I kind of think that they may be writing Tony out this season. He hasn’t had much to do for a couple of seasons and the only spoilers about him seem to indicate that Gibbs will be doubting Tony’s ability to lead. Also, they’ve really been pushing McGee forward for the last couple seasons. I can’t say I’d be excited about McGee replacing Tony as I just don’t find the actor or character terribly compelling, but the writers certainly do seem to be trying to convince us that McGee is the more trustworthy and competent agent of the two.
Tina Pottinger Pawass
September 27, 2015 @ 6:27 pm
You might be right as I have heard that Tony will be making appearances on NCIS LA
sadtonyfan
September 27, 2015 @ 6:50 pm
If Weatherly was to leave NCIS I’d leave too since he is hands down my favorite character. It would almost be a relief though as he has pretty much become insignificant window dressing for the most part, unless he’s being humiliated somehow for the humor moment. I miss hero Tony but it seems like Gibbs or McGee have to display all the heroics or make the important connections in the cases these days. Tony is the one who is cast as the agent who let Gibbs get shot. That’s the sort of writing he gets now.
LSilvaxx
September 23, 2015 @ 1:22 am
I’m so impressed with the premiere. Great episode. Cast is strong and doing a great job. Perfec start into a new season.