TV Reaction: NCIS 'Agent Afloat'
Sep. 30th, 2008 10:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mrwubblesNCIS just gets better and better. Who would have thought? Warning: superficial squee with not much substance in it.
Wow.
Okay, I should say something more than that, huh? -lol-
First off, DiNozzo wasn't back yet. No cookie for Vance! DiNozzo was an 'Agent Afloat' (an investigator onboard a carrier) and right off the bat, we see him charging up the steps, down the deck, already on the case.
Thank God.
My biggest fear had been that DiNozzo, left to his own devices, was Frat Boy + Animal House (both parts). Instead, we were given a rare (and rather hot) glimpse of Special Agent Tony DiNozzo.
Squee moment here: he still calls Gibbs 'Boss', calls him when a case goes hinky, but does his own half-joking, half-serious way. And apparently as the only sheriff in town, he's not popular. Not in sickbay, not among card playing officers, nada. That alone gives us a lot of backstory: Tony took his job seriously.
Awesome.
Back at home, you have McGee and David sitting around, trying to be glad they're back minus Tony, but oh, look, they miss him. Aw.
And Gibbs insisting in his own patented way that he wants Tony back? Seriously, we don't need hugs, we got Gibbs.
The actual plot itself (yes, Virginia, there is a plot in here) was a bit jumbled and I had a bit of difficulty following and keeping track. But maybe I was too busy going squee. -lol- It was impressive continuity-wise as we go back to the death of MD. Tony is obviously still mulling over it. Even David noted that he seemed older, guessed he was still bothered by her death. And there was an allusion to the reason why DiNozzo was transferred out was a 'punishment' as Gibbs accused Vance. In the end, Vance said it wasn't.
But who cares? Tony's home!
NCIS: I was really tempted to crack open my cookie jar and give this episode 5 Oreos. With a glass of milk. Chocolate milk. With a bendy straw. -LOL-
Almost.
Don't get me wrong. I loved, loved, loved 'Agent Afloat'. We didn't get a hug from Gibbs as he and David exchanged last episode, but we got a good, just before we fade to black, handshake between Gibbs and DiNozzo. Weird as I may be (I fled fron normal ages ago, lol), I prefer this. Two men, in character and as close as to Gibbs saying "Welcome back, little buddy" (seriously? if Gibbs did, that would be too weird). And, let's not forget, Gibbs fought to get DiNozzo back. -insert yet another squee here- That makes up for any lack of man hugs and mushy chick flick moments.
Despite the estatic, fangirl, h/c throes though, I'm holding back a cookie for two reasons:
1. Tony/Ziva set on overkill, keptain: okay, we were getting hints before, the UST that is unavoidable when you have X and Y chromosome characters talking in the same room, but the 'we're not really talking about McGee' conversation and lingering meaningful looks made the creme between the cookie taste foul. It just screams "Ship dead ahead!" to me and the prospect of a team dynamic splintering soured the episode for me. Hey, I'm not totally against it. The writers might be able to sell it. Past experience of UST turned hot monkey love however, tells me shaky waters are ahead. I'm going to keep an open mind though. Love the show too much to not to give them a chance.
2. Ducky: WHERE WAS HE?
Nuff said. -LOL-
Aside from those two flaws, the episode was pristine in all their happy, understated, quirky dysfunctional family way. I wasn't looking for a Waltons reunion. The team is reunited, they were openly happy about it and no one acted like a donkey's...well...you know.
Four cookies. I'll even throw in the chocolate syrup for the milk.
Wow.
Okay, I should say something more than that, huh? -lol-
First off, DiNozzo wasn't back yet. No cookie for Vance! DiNozzo was an 'Agent Afloat' (an investigator onboard a carrier) and right off the bat, we see him charging up the steps, down the deck, already on the case.
Thank God.
My biggest fear had been that DiNozzo, left to his own devices, was Frat Boy + Animal House (both parts). Instead, we were given a rare (and rather hot) glimpse of Special Agent Tony DiNozzo.
Squee moment here: he still calls Gibbs 'Boss', calls him when a case goes hinky, but does his own half-joking, half-serious way. And apparently as the only sheriff in town, he's not popular. Not in sickbay, not among card playing officers, nada. That alone gives us a lot of backstory: Tony took his job seriously.
Awesome.
Back at home, you have McGee and David sitting around, trying to be glad they're back minus Tony, but oh, look, they miss him. Aw.
And Gibbs insisting in his own patented way that he wants Tony back? Seriously, we don't need hugs, we got Gibbs.
The actual plot itself (yes, Virginia, there is a plot in here) was a bit jumbled and I had a bit of difficulty following and keeping track. But maybe I was too busy going squee. -lol- It was impressive continuity-wise as we go back to the death of MD. Tony is obviously still mulling over it. Even David noted that he seemed older, guessed he was still bothered by her death. And there was an allusion to the reason why DiNozzo was transferred out was a 'punishment' as Gibbs accused Vance. In the end, Vance said it wasn't.
But who cares? Tony's home!
NCIS: I was really tempted to crack open my cookie jar and give this episode 5 Oreos. With a glass of milk. Chocolate milk. With a bendy straw. -LOL-
Almost.
Don't get me wrong. I loved, loved, loved 'Agent Afloat'. We didn't get a hug from Gibbs as he and David exchanged last episode, but we got a good, just before we fade to black, handshake between Gibbs and DiNozzo. Weird as I may be (I fled fron normal ages ago, lol), I prefer this. Two men, in character and as close as to Gibbs saying "Welcome back, little buddy" (seriously? if Gibbs did, that would be too weird). And, let's not forget, Gibbs fought to get DiNozzo back. -insert yet another squee here- That makes up for any lack of man hugs and mushy chick flick moments.
Despite the estatic, fangirl, h/c throes though, I'm holding back a cookie for two reasons:
1. Tony/Ziva set on overkill, keptain: okay, we were getting hints before, the UST that is unavoidable when you have X and Y chromosome characters talking in the same room, but the 'we're not really talking about McGee' conversation and lingering meaningful looks made the creme between the cookie taste foul. It just screams "Ship dead ahead!" to me and the prospect of a team dynamic splintering soured the episode for me. Hey, I'm not totally against it. The writers might be able to sell it. Past experience of UST turned hot monkey love however, tells me shaky waters are ahead. I'm going to keep an open mind though. Love the show too much to not to give them a chance.
2. Ducky: WHERE WAS HE?
Nuff said. -LOL-
Aside from those two flaws, the episode was pristine in all their happy, understated, quirky dysfunctional family way. I wasn't looking for a Waltons reunion. The team is reunited, they were openly happy about it and no one acted like a donkey's...well...you know.
Four cookies. I'll even throw in the chocolate syrup for the milk.
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no subject
Date: 2008-10-01 06:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-01 06:24 am (UTC)I know! I'm a Tony girl, but ooh, there were times I winced. There seems to be a hint of growth in him, as mentioned in 'Agent Afloat' when Ziva asked him about Jenny. It felt like he was restrained, tired (?) even and despite constantly asking Gibbs to get him home, when Gibbs was actually there, Tony never asked again. Almost resigned. Awww.
Makes you wonder if another reason why Gibbs wanted him back was because Tony was out there alone, brooding about Jenny?
no subject
Date: 2008-10-01 10:56 am (UTC)I love my Tiva, but that scene totally threw me. I liked the direction with them walking down the hall, but the scene could have been shorter and the writing really threw me off. I'm going to watch it again tonight to try and understand because it wasn't they only thing I missed due to watching the new eps in a blissful state that has the unfortunate side effect of the inability to focus on details. Ugh.
And I totally agree, where the hell was Ducky?
no subject
Date: 2008-10-01 01:36 pm (UTC)Yes, I think this warrants a e-viewing (as if I needed an excuse. -lol-) I was still at the Abby stage of "Tony! Tony! For reals?"
The thing about the Tiva thing was, I was okay when it was subtle, a jab here, a barb there. But there were times it looked like Ziva was pining/crushing for Tony and it discounted her character a little for me. I just don't want them to be "I wuv you." "No, I wuv yuo more." They play it great in Bones with just a little UST but a whole lot of friendship. :)
no subject
Date: 2008-10-01 01:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-01 01:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-01 01:21 pm (UTC)I was just reading your reaction to Last Man Standing and was so pleased to see someone else disappointed that there was no ulterior motive for Tony's assignment.
Now I dont want to look too much into it (because I love Tony so much that my judgement really isnt sound) but after watching Agent Afloat I'm hoping that there WAS a cool secret reason for him being sent to sea.
I mean Vance said it wasnt a punishment but he didnt answer the actual question of why he was there.
Also squee for Tony's mad hacking skills!!!
no subject
Date: 2008-10-01 01:45 pm (UTC)And you never know because my fangirl radar shot up when they said he went from Ron Reagan to Seahawk within the four months. I was like going "Clue!" but it could always be that they couldn't get the USS Ronald Reagan (deployed out in ME) and this was all just a matter of convenience.
But oooh, the fanfic plotter in me is thinking like crazy.
I mean Vance said it wasnt a punishment but he didnt answer the actual question of why he was there.
Ooh, that is a very good point. DiNozzo=secret weapon? -snicker- Wouldn't it be cool if there was a special reason although I hope it's not yet another Le Frog hunt.
Then again, is it just me or did the Le Frog arc feel unfinished to you? Ramifacations for Tony? (Plot bunny ears perk up)
Also squee for Tony's mad hacking skills!!!
Forget Tim got skillz. Tony got skillz!
Just slower. -lol-
no subject
Date: 2008-10-01 01:56 pm (UTC)And he sounded so sincere when he told Gibbs it wasn’t a punishment that I believe him, the question now is why?
I don’t think it’ll be another elaborate cover-up, im thinking (cough hoping cough) more along the lines of Vance just needed Tony out of the way for some reason…him above all the others (and boy is my Tony Fangirl gene working overtime with that idea!)
And I loved Tony’s snappy retort “A lot of things take McGee seconds”.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-01 02:08 pm (UTC)Yes, he did sound very sincere that it wasn't a punishment.
Hmmm....
no subject
Date: 2008-10-01 04:53 pm (UTC)One thing I did hate though, was the hammering over the head we go of "Ziva Luvs Tony" and "Tony might Luv Ziva". I hate when shows go all Noah's Ark on us. Romance at work rarely works (look at Lee and Palmer!) and it weakens Ziva's character. (And honestly, if I wanted to pair anyone up with Tony? It would be Abby. Just because she's Abby.)
I like the thought that Tony's absence from NCIS headquarters might have been required, more than his presence at sea. That could be verrry intriguing...
no subject
Date: 2008-10-01 05:04 pm (UTC)Exactly! Ziva's a strong independent character with her own vulnerabilties. The way they have her right now, a bit pining, took her a step down. Maybe they're trying to humanize her, but it took the integrity of her character too far.
Besides, I'm all for the dyfunctional family ensemble. -tee hee-
no subject
Date: 2008-10-01 06:49 pm (UTC)I loved how it was so obivouis Ziva was dying to have him back.
And in the last black and white shot....WHERE *IS* DUCKY?! did he get eaten by a black hole or something?
no subject
Date: 2008-10-02 03:09 am (UTC)Yes, somehow a minus Ducky reunion makes me feel like we're missing something...