JMO…at NCIS, the acronym stands for “Joint Military Operation.” For many people, it means “Just My Opinion.”
Starting with tonight’s episode of NCIS, TPTB here at The TV Addict have been gracious enough to allow me to expand my reviews to include more about the entertainment industry, and yes, my opinion.
For those of you who know me personally, you know that I am rarely short of opinions.
With that in mind, and with a more casual approach than in previous years, let’s talk about NCIS.
First, if you think you had a depressing summer filled with TV series repeats and oddly-conceptualized reality shows, consider the fate of NCIS’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and Tim McGee (Sean Murray).
In last season’s action-packed cliffhanger, Gibbs, McGee and Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) went to Paraguay to investigate missing a Navy SEAL. When the mission expanded to rescuing children abducted by rebel forces, Torres, the SEAL and the children escaped by helicopter leaving Gibbs and McGee behind to fend off the rebel forces.
JMO, having McGee jump off a helicopter bound for freedom to help his friend was a great step in the evolution of his character. McGee has shown bravery in the past, but often with a bit of residual “computer nerd” mixed into his actions.
The McGee from the season finale had no hesitation, no geekiness. He had his “hero moment” barreling into action to help Gibbs without a thought for his own safety.
Unfortunately, the choice to delay the rebels so the children could escape resulted in Gibbs and McGee being captured and tortured by the rebels. They have been imprisoned for months when tonight’s Season 15 opener, “House Divided” picks up the action.
Both men, sporting longer hair and beards, are bloody and bruised from beatings by their captors.
JMO, Harmon always has looked great with longer hair and a beard (remember his “retirement” to Mexico), and Sean Murray has never looked better. Despite Naval regulations regulating hair and beards, hopefully the show will find a way for the “look” to return this season.
Back in the States, Ducky (David McCallum), Palmer (Brian Dietzen), Bishop (Emily Wickersham), Torres and Reeves (Duane Henry) investigate what appears to be a drive-by shooting.
Palmer checks the victim whose hair falls out in clumps. Gunshot or not, the only two things that I, personally, have ever seen that causes unexpected hair loss like that…using overheated hair dye and radiation over-exposure. I speak from experience on the former, but strongly urge to avoid both.
Repercussions erupt from the shooting and from the Paraguay mission. Vance (Rocky Carroll) ends up answering unwanted questions, and Abby (Pauley Perrette) has a problem.
Quinn (former cast member, Jennifer Esposito) has departed the NCIS team to care for her mother, but a new addition to the cast, Maria Bello (PRIME SUSPECT) joins the cast in episode 4.
Bello’s character, Jacqueline “Jack” Sloane, is described as “commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army [who] served two tours in Afghanistan. After joining NCIS, she built her reputation as the agency’s premier forensic psychologist. Unlike the other agents, she can second guess and challenge Gibbs, so there will be friction but also mutual respect. She is a positive force, mischievous and at times acerbic.”
Harmon is at his best with a verbal sparring partner like Joe Spano’s Fornell, so Jack Sloane could be just what the psychologist ordered.
“House Divided,” written by Steven D. Binder and directed by Tony Wharmby, could be the best action among the fall season’s premieres.
Tonight’s NCIS episode guest stars Robert Pine, aka Sgt. Joe Getraer of CHiPs and father of actor Chris Pine (Captain Kirk in STAR TREK, and Steve Trevor in WONDER WOMAN). Margo Harshman returns as McGee’s wife, Delilah Fielding.
NCIS premieres its 15th season tonight on CBS (U.S.) and Global (Canada) at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, making it #8 in the list of longest-running scripted U.S. primetime television series, tied with CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION, ER, THE JACK BENNY PROGRAM, and surpassing 9th longest THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE AND HARRIET, DALLAS and KNOTS LANDING.
