For the first time in a long time NCIS paired a solid case with an interesting character story (and it’s been even longer since the show’s put together an interesting case). We’ve seen a number of cases that have harked back to Tony’s personal life, and particularly to his time on the Baltimore PD, but none have spoken to Tony as a person as much as tonight’s.
As an aside I have to say that, while Michael Weatherly is fifteen years older than Gaius Charles (Baltimore PD Arson Unit Detective Jason King), in no way does Tony look even ten years older than Jason. That’s genetics for you.
Anyway, first there was the case. Arson’s a unique animal, and a lot of procedurals can bungle arson cases when investigators with no fire experience are suddenly purporting to be experts in the field. So I really appreciated how Jason was integrated in a subtle way so as to allow an expert to delve into the arson aspects of the case. Watching him and Tony trying to one-up one another just made it that much better.
The Naval Watcher Fleet — the so-called “Phantom 8″ that includes Casey Stratton (Scott Wolf) — was an interesting angle that didn’t quite pan out. The story’s not yet over, but to this point it’s unclear why an elite black ops unit would be investigating faulty wiring on naval ships. But that aside, I found it interesting that the case went from what could have been a company trying to hide a ruinous secret — kind of a humdrum conceit — to a potential terrorism angle.
By the way, did anyone recognize Jack Murdoch (Peter Mackenzie) of United Equinox from back in the day? Once upon a time he was none other than the ultra stuck up Genius (Intellect) in Herman’s Head! I definitely saw some similarities between the two characters.
In addition to the case which remains unsolved, the episode ended before Tony and Jason could have their big reconciliation moment. But seeing what inspired Tony to go into law enforcement — I loved “Young Tony” with long hair! — was a particularly telling piece of information. It’s interesting to know who feels they’re on a mission to help.
What was missing between Tony and Jason was an acknowledgement from Tony that he was sorry for what happened to Jason’s sister. I’m sure he’s said it a hundred times before, but while they were talking in the elevator, it would have been very fitting for Tony to have said “And I’m sorry for that.” I can imagine the whole speech falling on deaf ears without that (of course it won’t because this is TV, but to some extent it probably should).
The question here, however, is will this re-encounter with the very person who was the catalyst for Tony’s entire career have some tangible effect on Tony going forward. For instance, had he seemed to lack motivation this season, or if he’d been adrift without direction, seeing Jason again would be impactful for Tony. But I don’t think Tony’s been experiencing anything like that … will seeing Jason again — and presumably repairing that relationship — be just one more thing that’s over and done with as soon as the credits roll, or will it stay with Tony?
And who’s trying to hit the U.S. by torching naval vessels? Because someone should probably do something about that.
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Apr 18, 2012 @ 01:04 EST5EDT
I enjoyed seeing Abby watching “Mythbusters” clips.
Wouldn’t burning thermite in the lab out in the open (instead of in the fume hood) set off all the smoke detectors???
I thought that a terrorist plot exploiting bad wiring on US Naval vessels was a bit far-fetched, but we’ll see where it goes.
Where was Vance and SECNAV? You’d have thought they’d be all over this. No Palmer again either.
(Much better recap this week. Thank you!)
*POST AUTHOR*
You can thank the show for putting on a good episode! :)
I thought last weeks was a good episode.
Granted Michael Weatherly looks good for his age (and could pass for younger), but the decade+ age difference looked obvious to me.
I’m intrigued that adult arson investigator Jason still looked at Tony from a child’s eyes. Instead of seeing Tony as a college kid who tried to save a nine-year-old without fire training; he saw him as an authority figure – an adult – who should’ve made everything right. While the idea of a little girl burning alive is horrifying, I loved seeing Michael Weatherly step it up again when correcting Jason’s assumptions – acting like a parent who watched his resentful child grow up.
But, seriously, what parents leave their 9-year-old to watch over his sister at nighttime? The condo looked pretty ritzy so it wasn’t a financial issue. Or did his parents die in the fire, as well? That’s the only thing that seemed odd.