Talk about a weak premise for an episode. An entire case revolving around two rich guys’ lazy day activity?
For which they bring back Tobias Fornell (Joe Spano), who’s apparently not as dead as we all thought?… Way to waste that surprise moment without any fanfare whatsoever. And daniac, you were correct. That was one nasty something or other on his face. He looked like one of the hill people, or Anthony Hopkins just returned from the jungle in Instinct. Not very flattering. Seriously, if he faked his death, what was Fornell doing back at the office just a few hours before Gibbs swung by to pick him up?
And talk about a tease. For weeks now we’ve been gearing up for the re-emergence of the allusive Colonel Bell (Robert Patrick). Then, along comes Damon Werth (Paul Telfer), last seen working for Bell on the episode “Outlaws and In-Laws.” Anyone else hear a loud ding?
So where was Bell? Or any mention of him? Even Ms. Hart (Rena Sofer) didn’t pop up in person or in passing this week. It’s a surprising recent truth that NCIS has become somewhat pedestrian at continuity. For entire threads to be dropped from week to week is just random and strange.
Like, for instance, McGee’s debt to Gibbs for saving his life. Two episodes ago Gibbs pushed McGee out of the way of a speeding car, getting hit himself and winding up in a sling last episode. But not until tonight did we hear of any obligation that McGee felt toward Gibbs. Was he experiencing PTSD last week? Or maybe he’s forgetful much? Or maybe this is just another in a long list of “Hey, this is a cool idea!” moments that occur to the writers on NCIS with no regard for what’s come before.
Certainly I greatly enjoyed McGee serving Gibbs, taking advantage of the opportunity to snoop around his house, catching 40 winks whenever he got the chance because of how little Gibbs himself rests. We got some classic moments, and I’ve always been a huge fan of the two when they’re matched up. So I suppose what I’m really saying is, why didn’t we get more of it last time?
Gibbs and Fornell were also in top form tonight. No, we didn’t get an emergency stopped elevator moment from them, but they more then made up for it riding around in Gibbs’ car, yelling at one another like an old married couple. Theirs is actually a back story it would be awesome to explore at some point on the show. You know, if Fornell wasn’t supposed to be dead, or something along those lines.
Actually, it would be awesome if Fornell, Gibbs, and Vance could get all mixed up in some big ball of conspiracy, history, secrets, lies, video…. Well, the first couple anyway. Then we could find out where all three of those mysterious fellows come from, and Gibbs could solve all of their skeletons for them, and we wouldn’t have to suffer through some idiot who hit and ran during a cross-country race for pink slips.
Taking notes, all you back at headquarters?
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Feb 09, 2010 @ 21:59 EST5EDT
I actually thought Fornell looked pretty good; notwithstanding, I highly enjoyed this episode. I loved the Fornell/Gibbs interaction, Tony’s toe tag jokes (in fact, he whizzed them fast and furious today), Ziva’s connection with Damon and Tony’s reaction. However, side note: I remember the first half/opening of O&I, but not the second. Did I miss the D-Z connection? Side-side note: while I love the T-Z jealousy, after the Frog/Michael/etc., we’ve cycled through so many love interests for both,I almost wish they’d replicate the Abby-McGee relationship: pair them up, then break them apart naturally and return to the friendship while my other part still loves the tension. Ironically, last week, I wondered if NCIS ever experienced dud cases, yet, upon receiving one I still felt unsatisfied :)
*POST AUTHOR*
I don’t recall anything between Ziva and Damon from the last episode he appeared on. The only connection I recall is between her and the guy she recognized in Gibb’s house – admittedly, that could have been Damon, but I seem to recall a bigger, second guy appearing in both episodes. Anyone else remember that?
I did a google search to refresh my memory. Damon is the super-soldier that Ziva had the instinctual connection with -
Heh, Stringfellow Hawke and Airwolf (another Bellisario show).
I’m not sure what you’re referring to regarding Fornell. If it’s “The Bone Yard,” the FBI faked his suicide to draw out the real mole, and Fornell walked into NCIS headquarters the day after they succeeded. It’s not like he’s been hiding from the world since then. If he had another faked death, I’m blanking on it.
The show has always given us continuity in fits and dribbles, completely missing from some weeks if it doesn’t fit the theme of the episode. It’s hardly a recent thing. McGee was presumably helping Gibbs out after work hours last week, just offscreen. I presume we won’t see them cover the same ground again next week either, and Bell (whom I believe is elusive, not “allusive”) and Hart will pop up again when they get an A- or B-story of their own. I get that you don’t like this narrative structure, but it’s not a surprise, and I doubt it’ll change in the future, considering their ratings resiliency even against Idol.
That being said, considering what Werth did in his last op, I’m not surprised to find he’s no longer in the good Colonel’s employ, nor privy to his current business.
*POST AUTHOR*
Sorry, I’m talking more in euphemistic terms: 1) that Fornell has been neither seen nor heard from since last season, and 2) because while the mob case was closed back in season two, I’d expect the need for people to think he’s dead would still hold, thus keeping him out of the field. Plus his beard made him look like he’d been living in a cave for years. :)
There was a time when story lines made at least minor appearances as long as they were relevant. I think it’s a more recent thing that something like McGee being bone tired because he’s chasing after Gibbs wouldn’t even make a blip last week.
I do mean “allusive,” because as far as I know no one’s looking to capture Bell; rather, he’s been referenced indirectly through Hart’s presence. I believe that’s the right one for that. ;)
I’m definitely not surprised that Werth no longer has anything to do with Bell, but considering the recent Bell-themed incidents, and the reemergence of someone last seen working for him, the logical conclusion would be that there’s a connection. At least it was for me.
Ah, my impression from the last episode was that Fornell had gone right back to work at the office the next day, and that the mob boss (Jimmy) wouldn’t have been gunning for him. They do reference his mountain man look this week as having just gotten off an undercover case. I hope the FBI is actively involved in the case next time, as I do enjoy seeing Fornell’s junior agents run around doing his bidding.
Anything I don’t like in recent years, especially long-running storylines, I just blame on Donald P. Bellisario being removed from the show, so maybe there’s something to your complaint. The basic structure of the show still runs itself, but the attention to character details isn’t quite as deft as it used to be.
Heh, allusive. Cute.
Judging from the stone cold coolness of Gibbs’s car, definitely a compliment.
*POST AUTHOR*
You’re probably right, since you’re usually more on point with these continuity things. However, my recollection has him still being deep under after faking his death, so my guess is I’m not alone in remembering it that way. They maybe could have spent a minute catching us up. But either way it was nice to see Fornell again. :)
I got the feeling that the episodes were aired out of order and last night’s ep should have been shown last week.
The Gibbs / Fornell interactions more than made up for such a blah case. I know that they can not have something exciting every week and I am willing to accept this type of case if it means they never do a clip show.
The “What happened to your ____?” exchange was funny especially considering they both blamed work.
I can’t decide if it is a compliment or an insult that Gibbs compared Fornell sleeping with his ex-wife in the same league as driving his car?
*POST AUTHOR*
Car people would tell you it was a major compliment judging by the car they were referring to. ;)