‘NCIS’ season 11, episode 12 review: McGee in a tux, the hunt for Parsa continues
After a little bit of a break thanks to the holidays, “NCIS” season 11 returned on Tuesday night with “Kill Chain,” an episode that had quite a bit of stuff going on. Not only was there a gala that McGee had to deal with (which is not exactly his scene, to use the hip lingo), but there was also the return of the hunt for Parsa, the primary villain for this season, and some more relationship stuff when it comes to Gibbs and Hollis Mann.
Hollis was tied very closely into an investigation involving Parsa, which was a heck of a strong story to get the second part of the season going. We like it when “NCIS” goes slightly more serialized, especially with a new component in here in Bishop. The problem early on was that the show was trying to balance Bishop’s arrival with Ziva’s departure, and that led to neither really getting their due.
This investigation basically led to a dramatic scene where it looked like there was a traitor in the ranks, and Bishop and Tony had to figure out just who was the person who helped to give Parsa a green light. (More on this in a minute.)
When it comes to the McGee story, the tough part of it for him was that his relationship with Delilah was quickly hitting the rocks … and for a pretty good reason. After all, he did not want to actually go to her gala, and tried to use work and not having a tuxedo as an excuse to squirm his way out of it. It took a pep talk from Abby to help convince him to go, and to an extent that worked.
But what really made all of these stories come together was the big reveal that the same gala McGee was attending could have been the same place that Parsa was looking to attack. It made sense when you think about it, but it was too late for some. The status of Delilah is unclear after she was hospitalized with injuries; as for Gibbs, let’s just say that he is more than angry that Parsa got away.
While we haven’t quite hit the emotional peak of this story just yet, the best and strangest moment of the episode was that closing tableau, when it started to look like Bishop was crumbling as an assortment of files were thrown around the floor, while Gibbs barked orders to her. Then, the “to be continued,” as we wait for the manhunt to continue. Grade: B+.
What did you think about this episode? Be sure to share your thoughts below.
sheri searles
February 5, 2014 @ 12:25 am
This season started off great, but rapidly went downhill as Bishop was brought in, the characters do not work well together! Sitting on the floor and solving the case in 5 min does not make for a very exciting show. I do not consider NCIS on my must watch anymore:(
Jayce Everling
January 13, 2014 @ 11:04 pm
If you hate bishop so much. Don’t watch the show anymore. Oh yeah! You are still watching. That’s because it’s not as bad as you bozos think
pj
January 10, 2014 @ 12:40 pm
It’s the Bishop show now. Might as well not have Gibbs, Tony and Tim. She can do it all. What are you writers thinking?
Terry
January 10, 2014 @ 1:09 am
I am going to stop asking if Ziva is coming back. It is so clear that Bishop isn’t working that I think it is time to start asking, instead, how is Gary Glasberg going to get Cote back and work Ziva back into the story line. The opening to do so is now with the Parsa story back front and center — if you remember when we last saw Ziva she was Parsa’s next target? Has that changed? Where is she?
SHE is the one to resolve this story line and get this show back and track. The character of Bishop is a trainwreck. The TV Guide poll (owned by CBS) had more than 12,000 responses over just two days and 60 percent were “not a fan” of Bishop.
It has nothing to do with Emily Wickersham’s ability – because how are we to judge, they haven’t given her any kind of real story lines to work with — just retreads and combos of former story lines rolled into supposed new stories.
I mean, for example, are we supposed to believe the NCIS didn’t recognize a US drone that is of a type that has been on the news constantly (albeit with a different name) and was very similar to the one Ari used during the episode in which he killed Kate? Also, are we supposed to believe that even though they didn’t recall said drone that Bishop had, yet again, just happened to write a brief on such a threat?
How about some original stories? How about getting back to basics and how about listening to the fans who are being very clear that they want Ziva back on the team?
So my question remains… not IF Ziva is coming back but how will Gary Glasberg make it happen and save the show?
gabi
January 10, 2014 @ 7:32 pm
I think the real question is when is CBS going to get Ziva back and get rid of Gary Glasberg? It is the only way to save the show. NCIS and CBS are currently relying on the loyalty of viewers who have loved the show. However they cannot expect loyalty to last long if the product they are showing is just mediocre and boring. I hope CBS resolves this before people give up on the show because once they start losing their viewers they will most likely never come back.
Karbear
January 9, 2014 @ 9:49 pm
They need to bring Ziva back to help catch Parsa. What a great twist it would be! Ziva returning to help catch him; it is better than her sitting in Israel because if I remember right, she is a target of his, too. She may as well take him down, then we can have our kick a** scenes again!
agentscully514
January 10, 2014 @ 1:27 am
I would love this!! now THAT would be a thrilling story.
Jean-charles Tillmann
January 9, 2014 @ 8:24 pm
This character Bishop has no inspiring effect. It operates flat and also tries frantically Cote de Pablo copy. However, everything looks like a mask. The introduction of this character causes at the same time have extremely diminished in their power the other actors. Bishop can not describe you as a team member, it works in all, as a foreign body.
It’s a shame that is this excellent show follows dismantled and damaged.
Dan
January 9, 2014 @ 4:29 am
Bishop may be doing it all, but certainly not for me. They could have gone in just about any other direction and done better. The Bishop character is just not worth watching and Tony’s character keeps getting sillier and sillier. For the first time since this series began, it is no longer on my “must watch” list.
al
January 8, 2014 @ 8:55 pm
This new season with Bishop is a turn-off for me. She does everything, what do Gibbs and the rest do but stand around waiting for her to solve the issue. Not even Abby is immune, as Bishop even solves her problems. From the first show through last nights show, Bishop has done it all, captured the crook with her car, solve the unsolveable, last night ended with Gibbs telling Bishop to sit on the floor and solve the problem.
Kristen
January 9, 2014 @ 8:24 pm
That is it!! Bishop solves her own and also everybody else’s problems! I mean the show was about different characters, dealing with murderers and at the same time trying to keep their private lifes under control. Now it’s about Bishop sitting on the floor and solving the crime in a blink of an eye. Excuse me, but this is just terrible
agentscully514
January 9, 2014 @ 11:15 pm
To me it underscores that this new team does not work well TOGETHER. She may have good skills, but they do not integrate well. Apparently EITHER the guys OR Bishop can solve something, but not together. That’s not a good fit. Not to mention her field skills are lacking. They played it as comedy but in reality it’s going to put everyone in danger.
Barry
January 8, 2014 @ 4:54 pm
I’m sorry but Bishop’s character is just not believable, the sitting on the floor carrying the computer it is a corny routine. Last night’s episode when she was handed the gun it was like she never held one and why did she shoot? Ziva character from the start was believable, not only because she’s beautiful, stylish etc. But when it came time to be a bad ass she was and you believed the outcome. Her character was setup prior to start on NCIS. Bishop character comes across as the little girl next store.