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Post by ML Fan on Dec 12, 2009 12:29:10 GMT -5
Have you seen "Faith?" Tell us what you thought. There are spoilers and discussions also on our sister site NCIS Special Ops, if you're interested.
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Post by ML Fan on Dec 28, 2009 21:54:35 GMT -5
Wow, where is everyone?  I liked this episode a lot because while it was a Christmas/holiday themed episode that it was still NCIS. I liked seeing Gibbs's father in part because Gibbs was surprised to see him and that it was good to see a bit of backstory on Gibbs. Tony's secret santa storyline was funny and touching and I loved how Ziva encouraged Tony to get his secret santa a meaningful present, because, I think it was a simple yet effective way for Ziva to show her caring side and it showed Tony that he should to try to not judge someone simply by their actions and behavior at work. I also thought that what McGee and Abby did for her best friend's nephew was sweet because sometimes seeing a loved one even if they are far away is really the one thing that a child wants. |
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Post by dzero on Dec 29, 2009 23:54:20 GMT -5
Wow, where is everyone? In the spirit of the Holiday season I refrained from posting my thoughts on this ep. Those thoughts being that this was easily the worst NCIS episode ever. Oh the horror of watching those two old men b!tch and moan at each other!  |
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Post by shywriter on Dec 30, 2009 1:22:47 GMT -5
Wow, where is everyone? In the spirit of the Holiday season I refrained from posting my thoughts on this ep. Those thoughts being that this was easily the worst NCIS episode ever. Oh the horror of watching those two old men b!tch and moan at each other! Really!  It never fails to amaze me, with this show, how the same episode can strike so many people so many different ways -- and even within a group of regular viewers who would generally consider themselves fans of the show! ... and okay, I'm missing which two old men -- Gibbs & his Pa? I mean, when Ducky & Pa Gibbs were together they weren't so much b!itching as ... woolgathering...I guess while I generally liked this episode, I was a bit more 'meh' about it than I'd hoped, primarily because for everything they did that I liked, I was pestered by the idea that they (the writers) took the lazy way to get there -- for example, I very much liked the end scene with Tony's gift to the HR hard-sell, but even if the info was in her personnel file, he wouldn't have had the "clearance" to see it. They could have had him get the info elsewhere (he is an investigator, after all!) but they just slapped in the line that he could see it because he had security clearance -- it sort of made it worse by drawing attention to that issue because he wouldn't have. (Plus, when one has legal authority to look in places from which the public is restricted, those who endowed that one with the special dispensation to snoop can get a bit testy when that dispensation is abused.) And Tim did a sweet thing with hooking a little boy up with his mom -- but will he be fired on Christmas for pulling that stunt? Poor Tiny Tim! Mostly I can overlook those things but it's just sort of sad and wearying that the writers wouldn't spend a bit more time thinking of more plausible ways to get to the same result -- I mean, that's their day job, and if you look on FFN there are legions of NCIS fanfic writers, among whom are those who consistently come up with more logical, possible connections to their plot twists -- all in their spare time!!!   |
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Post by dzero on Dec 30, 2009 1:35:01 GMT -5
... and okay, I'm missing which two old men -- Gibbs & his Pa? yes the is for Gibbs and his Pa not for shywriter  |
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Post by Michele on Dec 30, 2009 1:42:48 GMT -5
I like Gibbs but i'm getting abit tried of all the episodes about his past, there are 8 (if you add Jimmy) charactors on the show when are we going to learn more about others. can't wait for episode 12 with Daddy DiNozzo.
but thats just my POV.
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Post by Mr.Clark on Dec 30, 2009 7:27:51 GMT -5
I've got to say I'm kinda more on dzero's side of the fence with this one. The Gibbs and Gibbs senior bickering was kind of annoying. I also hate the fact that the holidays make Abby morph into a spoiled little five year old that thinks because its Christmas the whole world will just realign itself to satisfy her jones-ing for that one 'awwww' moment. Its one thing to try for the sweet reunion its another thing to bend someones arms into doing it when they'd really rather not or could get fired for doing so.
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Post by mari on Dec 30, 2009 15:57:24 GMT -5
Oh the horror of watching those two old men b!tch and moan at each other! Hm, funny, I kind of liked the Gibbs and father thing, it seemed realistic and believable , especially in comparison to other plot points mentioned. Yes, it's not all that entertaining, maybe even annoying (though kind of fitting the season) but I could see it happening and found it it in character. Ducky and Gibbs senior.... hm, not sure about that. Would be an easy and safely hidden way for Gibbs to check up on his Dad, but Ducky's speech was just a tiny bit too much. Really! It never fails to amaze me, with this show, how the same episode can strike so many people so many different ways -- and even within a group of regular viewers who would generally consider themselves fans of the show! Why it's so popular? Lot of different people can find things to like? Or dislike. I also hate the fact that the holidays make Abby morph into a spoiled little five year old that thinks because its Christmas the whole world will just realign itself to satisfy her jones-ing for that one 'awwww' moment. Its one thing to try for the sweet reunion its another thing to bend someones arms into doing it when they'd really rather not or could get fired for doing so. Yeah, I really like Abby's childlike enthusiasm and all but I also think that underneath she's very smart and bright (how else would she have gotten the job) and even though I like when's so focused on her work that she forgets what's around, my idea of her is that she's aware of the world outside of her lab and its rules. In a way, writing her ignoring the rules and its possible consequences for others is kind of making her into a nice and sweet sociopath (for lack of a better word), somebody who is very able in her field but unapt beyond... and – despite all of her sweetness – that's just not how I see Abby. Mostly I can overlook those things but it's just sort of sad and wearying that the writers wouldn't spend a bit more time thinking of more plausible ways to get to the same result -- I mean, that's their day job, and if you look on FFN there are legions of NCIS fanfic writers, among whom are those who consistently come up with more logical, possible connections to their plot twists -- all in their spare time!!! My immediate reaction was similar but opposite (does that make any sense?), it reminded me of having a nice idea for fic but not knowing how to get there and how there you sometimes can ignore all the rules, pretend What-Ifs and just have an illogic standalone... |
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Post by shywriter on Dec 30, 2009 20:31:00 GMT -5
Looks as if we'll need a tiebreaker here, 'cos I'm going to side with Mari and then some: I sort of liked the whole thing; they had dysfunctional adult child with parent down pat. (It was the first time I saw my family accurately portrayed on TV! ;D) What bugged much more was the teasing they did, wanting us to worry that Jack was ill/dying (and why would we, given their pattern of ham-handed teasing that doesn't pan out ) and having Jack shrieking at Gibbs about his gun, then having it all be that he came to Jethro to talk him down from killing a thief. I didn't mind Gibbs response or even that the shooting bothered Jack -- just all the over-the-top drama about it. Partly agreed; I don't mind Abby being sweet about it and maybe even a bit over the top -- but they did that better last year with her bugging everyone about what gifts she could do for each team member -- over the top, eye rolling for the others, but not likely to lose anyone their jobs. So: (as I seem to keep saying about this season) they could have gotten to the same sort of result by a bit more creative/ less lazy writing. True for fanfic! After posting it occurred to me that while I'm sure it's not easy cranking out new shows every week, all of them good, etc, having to write a weekly show is sort of similar to what we do when we do challenge fic: we're given a set of parameters and/or "facts" which must be included and/or followed, and the writer has to create a new, unique story within those limitations. And I know I said it before but I really do hold them to a higher standard -- this is their DAY job for which they're paid (probably fairly well!) I am not comparing the all of the fic we fans write to professional scripts, but a lot of it is really quite good and is often sneaked in amid RL, lack of sleep, pressing family or other matters -- and none of it pays the rent so it has to be around "real" work too! So if we have that in the world of fanfic -- couldn't they just think a little harder and get to the result they want with more plausible journeys to get there? |
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Post by dzero on Dec 31, 2009 2:07:19 GMT -5
Looks as if we'll need a tiebreaker here, 'cos I'm going to side with Mari and then some: I sort of liked the whole thing; they had dysfunctional adult child with parent down pat. (It was the first time I saw my family accurately portrayed on TV! ;D) yes I'll give them that, and if that's what your family is like then we just might be related because it struck a chord with me too but I am not watching NCIS to have a chord stricken also for the record I should disclose that I fast forwarded through their final talk ( after Ducky's drinking session with Gibbs Sr. ) so I missed what the older of the two cranks had to say. I guess from what is written here it had something to do with him shrieking at his son the federal law enforcement officer actually having a gun in the house!  the nadir of the episode IMHO |
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Post by Aerie on Dec 31, 2009 17:36:46 GMT -5
This was the only flaw in the episode for me. I liked Gibbs and his dad in the first episode but it wasn't that enjoyable this time. I just kind of ignored it BUT I didn't fast forward through it. I couldn't do that to NCIS.
Ducky and the old guy were kind of cute - two old fogies working on children's Christmas toys, blabbing away about some nonsense.
Jeepers you scrooges - the grandparents need something to enjoy. My grandmother adores Ducky.
It was a light Christmas episode with a little cheesiness. Just what we need at this time of the year. ;D
I like Abby in every episode. I love her character even when she's silly as a goose.
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Post by mari on Jan 1, 2010 8:05:02 GMT -5
Partly agreed; I don't mind Abby being sweet about it and maybe even a bit over the top -- but they did that better last year with her bugging everyone about what gifts she could do for each team member -- over the top, eye rolling for the others, but not likely to lose anyone their jobs. So: (as I seem to keep saying about this season) they could have gotten to the same sort of result by a bit more creative/ less lazy writing. Yes and after re-watching last year's Christmas episode I liked both her and the Christmas related plot bits better. Even her calling the daughter to tell her that her father was less against the rules and only affected her. I really liked Gibbs just hugging her and wishing her Merry Christmas and Gibbs calling his dad did't seem over the top either (and okay, the follow up visit this year seems justified) Oh and the Ziva – Tony scenes in the car, observing the park, wish we could go back there... And wish there could be a bit more of Abby like when when Ducky was stabbed and she comes to the hospital and stays all calm, explaining the rambling Palmer that she can't afford to become hysterical every time a team member is injured. Quite effective too. Looks as if we'll need a tiebreaker here, 'cos I'm going to side with Mari and then some: I sort of liked the whole thing; they had dysfunctional adult child with parent down pat. (It was the first time I saw my family accurately portrayed on TV! ) Nothing I want to rewind and re-watch. but in parts squirmingly realistic. And hey dzero, we talked about this kind of scene three or four years ago, when I said I that I disliked ‘The Family Stone’ because it gave me the claustrophobic family feeling. I didn't mind Gibbs response or even that the shooting bothered Jack -- just all the over-the-top drama about it. Yes. Here and in general. With that I revise my opinion about what Ducky said (though he still could have said it a tiny bit less dramatic), it's pretty natural and standard that he comes and wants to see his son over the holidays, there doesn't have to be any life-threatening urgency. (And ham-handed? Nice mental picture ;D) The over-the-top drama, I'd actually like if they used something like your idea of Tony having had a just a normal childhood. Would be a nice counterweight to the characters with the dramatic lives or deaths... |
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Post by dzero on Jan 2, 2010 22:24:56 GMT -5
And hey dzero, we talked about this kind of scene three or four years ago, when I said I that I disliked ‘The Family Stone’ because it gave me the claustrophobic family feeling. hmmm , I don't see Gibbs and Gibbs Sr as being anything like that family, just two uptight old dudes being short with each other from the get go, basically two grumpy old men who acted grumpier when the other grumpy old man didn't act exactly as they wanted them to. |
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Post by shywriter on Jan 3, 2010 13:51:54 GMT -5
hmmm , I don't see Gibbs and Gibbs Sr as being anything like that family, just two uptight old dudes being short with each other from the get go, basically two grumpy old men who acted grumpier when the other grumpy old man didn't act exactly as they wanted them to. ... make that two grumpy old men and one grumpy not so old man who acted grumpier when the other grumpy old men didn't act exactly as he wanted them to...  (oh, c'mon, I waited this long! How could this line go unattacked?) ;D |
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Post by dzero on Jan 3, 2010 14:19:52 GMT -5
ok that was a good one, bravo ;D
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I liked this episode a lot because while it was a Christmas/holiday themed episode that it was still NCIS. I liked seeing Gibbs's father in part because Gibbs was surprised to see him and that it was good to see a bit of backstory on Gibbs. Tony's secret santa storyline was funny and touching and I loved how Ziva encouraged Tony to get his secret santa a meaningful present, because, I think it was a simple yet effective way for Ziva to show her caring side and it showed Tony that he should to try to not judge someone simply by their actions and behavior at work. I also thought that what McGee and Abby did for her best friend's nephew was sweet because sometimes seeing a loved one even if they are far away is really the one thing that a child wants.
It never fails to amaze me, with this show, how the same episode can strike so many people so many different ways -- and even within a group of regular viewers who would generally consider themselves fans of the show!
the nadir of the episode IMHO
