‘NCIS’ season 12, episode 11 review: Who was killed off in shocking twist?
Tuesday night’s “NCIS” episode was effective for a number of different reasons. Not only did it feature a great appearance from Jeri Ryan as Gibbs’ second ex-wife Rebecca, but there was also a very interesting reintroduction of sorts to Sergei, and the story that was first introduced at the start of this season.
Should we have been surprised that this particular plot was reintroduced? Probably not, mostly given the fact that the first episode of the new year last season also reintroduced its long-running story after many episodes off. This is part of the “NCIS” pattern. Still, the way we got there was at least interesting, at least for the time when it started to feel like Rebecca really was a killer of some sort.
Just as if the twists and turns of the first half of the episode were not enough, watching Sergei kill Diane was gut-wrenching. The final 15-minutes were completely all-systems-go, and it reminded us of the “NCIS” that we actually first enjoyed in the first couple of seasons. While it is always terrible to lose a character like Diane, at the same time, this was exactly the episode we’ve been asking for: One that really meant something, and set up a story that is not tied up in a neat little bow. Gibbs is motivated more than ever, and we’re going to need some time to recover from this one.
These sort of episodes make us wish sometimes that this show got to do a serialized arc of episodes more often. That is where the writers really start to show what they’re capable of. The only weakness tonight? Mostly that save for Gibbs, many of the other characters did not get enough awesome stuff to do. Grade: A-.
What was your take on this episode, and do you like the way the mystery unfolded? Share with a comment, and be sure to preview further what lies ahead. Also, be sure to sign up to book some other TV scoop on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: CBS.)
liz laughlin
January 7, 2015 @ 7:41 pm
This was the best episode they have put out all season. There was action and funny moments that worked. It’s true that some have been done before. When Gibbs fell asleep on the couch with Rebecca, it’s almost identical to when McGee fell asleep on the couch with Diane. The big stir that occurred was a little overblown. It was “deja vu all over again”.but then taking the stuff that worked from previous episodes is better than writing new boring stuff. Some of the new viewers may not have seen the earlier episodes and so for them this was really great.
But they are still below season 6 for average viewership, 17.74 million to 17.97 million. The final numbers will bring them closer no doubt but I don’t think they could catch up. This episode would need to be adjusted up to 22 million to raise the running average up to season 6 level and it’s only 19.49 million at this time. I sympathize with the Tony fans because, this is definitely the Gibbs show and that is not likely to change. Weatherly has his own production company maybe someday, he will step out of Harmon’s shadow.
Lorraine64
January 7, 2015 @ 11:24 pm
It was certainly great to see some action and nice to see some humour coming from somewhere other than Tony and Palmer, though Tony spouting rubbish at the “snowy” crime scene did make me want to cringe. I agree that if they can’t come up with better original ideas (maybe they should go read some of the immensely innovative & well written fanfic that’s out there) then re-visiting some of the old plots isn’t necessarily a bad idea, though perhaps a wise use of Bishop would be to ask Tony or McGee a few pertinent questions – eg, what was the relevance of the way Diane died, as there was no actual flashback or mention of Kate’s death, if you weren’t familiar with the early episodes you wouldn’t have known that Diane was killed in the same manner as Kate.
On the Tony front – I honestly don’t understand why there was such a shift with regards to his character. Way back the original premise was Gibbs, backed up by his loyal SFA (and St Bernard :-) ) Tony, the best agent he’d ever worked with and one who, judging by the beer & steak scene, he appeared to even be friends with. That took a bit of a back seat in later Ziva seasons, but since she left McGee seems to have stepped up to the SFA role and into Tony’s old relationship with Gibbs leaving Tony out in the cold and with very little to do. Seems to me just as well that Weatherly has started up his own production company. An actor is generally perceived as good as his last role and off the back of the last couple of seasons I can’t see casting directors considering him for leading roles any time soon, which is so sad – when given something to really get his teeth into he is as Don Bellisario described him, “one of the most underrated actors in television”.
For me the outstanding moment of the episode was Palmer refusing to take part in the autopsy. Whilst describing Diane as a “friend” was a bit of a stretch I thought Brian’s performance was stunning and the first time NCIS has moved me to tears in a long long time. I’d like him to have had one more line before Gibbs’ interruption, but that’s probably just me.
Lorraine64
January 7, 2015 @ 3:51 pm
For me this would have been a great episode if it hadn’t been all about Gibbs. Both McGee and in particular Tony who was at the death of both Kate and Jenny would have been effected by the turn of events. And once it was apparent that this was another vendetta against Gibbs why was Vance not there yanking Gibbs off the case as being too personally involved?!
The only other character who was given an opportunity to reveal how they were feeling was Palmer and particular credit should go to Brian Dietzen. It’s a long time since NCIS has brought so much as a tear to my eye and he did it with just a couple of lines.
However as a Tony fan what I really didn’t like was the fact that once again Tony was in the shadows in favour of McGee. I have nothing against McGee, but eleven episodes in and what’s Tony really done this season? Tony didn’t even spot the similarities between the two diner crime scenes and it was he (and Ziva) who found Jenny’s body at the desert diner. And it was so obvious even I spotted it! And forgive me if I’m going mad, but watch the first few scenes again. For the most part you could take McGee out and put Tony in and you wouldn’t need to change the dialogue at all. In fact it would actually work better. e.g., in the first scene there’s the talk about cats, lists and Tim being lonely. It was Tony who briefly adopted a cat a few episodes ago; Tony’s the one who’s always writing lists, and Tony who’s supposedly still without a girlfriend. When has McGee ever mentioned anything about cats and why’s he lonely – hasn’t he got Delilah? I know she’s away from DC, but according to previous episodes their long distance relationship is going well. Is McGee now Gibb’s SFA? It’s McGee and not Tony who rang Gibbs with an update; McGee who collected Gibbs from his house and McGee who joined him at the crime scene where I for one thought he was so Tony like I seriously was starting to wonder if the scenes had actually been written for Michael Weatherly and then changed at the last minute. Years ago Don Bellisario said that one of the great things about NCIS was that everyone spoke with their own voice, that if you took away the names in the script you would still know who was speaking. I guess the way you identify Tony now is he’s the one who’s saying something cringingly stupid.
sadtonyfan
January 7, 2015 @ 2:44 am
I guess the rest of the season will be a vehicle for Gibbs drama and angst with second in command McGee at his side as usual. I kind of wish the retire or kill Tony off since he is used for nothing but the occasional comic fodder. That way I wouldn’t feel compelled to watch the super Gibbs angst hour and watch McGee continue to replace Tony, who becomes increasingly insignificant. I’m so tired of Gibbs and McGee angst hour. Let me guess – Sergei will target Abby, McGee, and Ducky next since they are the ones Gibbs cares about while Tony provides “comic” relief. I’m so discouraged. It really sucks to be a Tony fan.
Lorraine64
January 7, 2015 @ 3:07 pm
Sadly couldn’t agree more! And did you see that Christopher Silber has left to join NCIS-NOLA so any hope of seeing more of the Tony from “Once A Crook” and “Admiral’s Daughter” would appear to have been dashed! :-(