About NCIS 9x07 - Devil's Triangle
"Words. There's so many words. And there's things, and... stuff. And emotions. Thanks for listening."
This is a premiere, I think: for the very first time since I started doing these reviews, I do not have a single negative thing to say about this episode. ♥ Instead, I'm flowing over with love and joy and gratitude and, yes, emotion. Because before stumbling to bed in the middle of the night I realized this episode affects me in much the same way "Heartland" did.
Let me count the ways in which this was awesome...
It was a strong and solid case, which not only kept me captivated, it also was presented really well, it kept me guessing (and guessing wrong!) until the very end... and it left open the door for so much more to come because the solution was only the beginning for this. (And yeah, my gut says the Phantom 8 will be tied into this one.)
The opening banter, which has been raked over the coals by certain parties before they even saw one second of it, was amusing in some ways, but yes, vaguely creepy in others. (For the record - dear friends and co-workers, never ever show me you shower drain, okay?)
My first impression during rewatching was, strangely, how Michael's eyes flit all over the place when he's holding up the drain thingie. I think that scene may have hit a little too close to home... ;)
Sooo... I find it amusing that in the end, Ziva didn't really tease him about his "thinning hair problem", like it was announced in a certain spoiler, but rather reassured and supported him.
Ziva: I have dated men with thinning hair, yes.
It's also highly amusing that the hair thing was a recurring theme throughout the ep. And I laughed really, really hard when Tony spreads his paranoia to Timmy instantly, just so he can feel better about it. (Classic Tony at work here, hee!)
Correction: The scene that got the loudest laugh was when Gibbs wanders in just when Ziva says, "I mean, it's not like you guys are going grey!" and then whips around because she *knows* daddy heard that. Also, Tony? "I'm so glad that wasn't me." *snorts* *cackles* I am in total, utter love with this scene!
And the best part? It's almost hidden by his cell phone and I can't get a good cap of it, but when Gibbs gets his call and lets Ziva off the hook easily? HE'S GRINNING. ♥
Fornell: She called both of us. That can't be good.
♥
I have mad, mad love for the whole Gibbs/Diane/Fornell dynamic in this ep. All three of them played off each other so brilliantly. Perfect casting, perfect dynamic, perfect directing. I *love* Diane's snarkiness, *love* how she dished back at the guys what others usually get back from them, *love* that she didn't back down once. And omg, her sarcasm? Rocks.
Diane: He's not married to his work, he's married to his wife. It's a novel concept for the two of you, I'm sure.
Diane: I know there's no love lost between-
Fornell: Well, that's not exac-
Diane: Zip it, you!
I want to have babies with that woman's snark. ♥
And the Gibblets listening in - all three of them! *giggles* I want to write a story now, where Ziva's trying to concentrate but can't because Tony is just a liiittle too close while they're pressed up together against this door... uhm... yeah, that would be nice. *happysighs*
Also, watch Ziva's face while they're reporting what they found out so far. She is *totally* sizing up Diane - eyes going down, up, back down. Like, "She's not that scary. I can take her."
Shallow interlude - the pretty! All the pretty, it hurts my eyes!
AND THEN THIS HAPPENED:
And Ziva's grinning and laughing in the background ♥ while Tony smirks and grunts, "I'm a bald version of you!" Which, of course, leads to Gibbs noticing them, which leads to this...
Okay, one teeny tiny remark about the victims at Beltway Burgers needs to be inserted after all because they were happily and quite obviously breathing, but even I can easily ignore that and move on. ;)
Abby and her list of questions for Gibbs! ♥
I am in complete and utter love with this scene, especially when she says "Can I get a do-over?" and Gibbs walks out and comes back in and acts like this never happened. This felt like such an old-school NCIS scene that my heart flows over with love for it. This is them being quirky and still feeling like real persons. Thank you, dear show, for giving me back what I fell in love with! ♥
Tony, to Fornell: Can't be all bad. You married her.
Gibbs: Don't remind him.
And Vance, coming back to that scene later and rubbing salt in the wound? Priceless!
Tony, to Fornell again: Let it out. Just let it all out.
Gibbs: I'd rather you didn't.
*snorts* *giggles*
I love the guys' glee when it looks as if Victor may be dirty. Can't even blame them, hee. Fornell suggesting to flip for jurisdiction on the case, just so he doesn't have to deal with Diane. *giggles some more*
Gibbs: We can talk about this downstairs.
Diane: What, you have a basement here, too, Mr. Woodchuck?
I did mention I love this woman fiercely, yes? ♥ Her "Wasn't any fun trying to pry information out of Macauley Culkin here" had me laughing so hard again that I had to pause the vid for a second to catch my breath.
Love her giving the clue based on the wallet. Fast-paced scene, and it didn't feel like it was just placed there.
Also - sometimes I wonder how oblivious Tony really is. Especially when Ziva ogles him shamelessly like she does here. (Can't blame her, really. They both looked so yummy and lickable here, my brain 'splodes when I even think about it!)
Curtis, the geek, hitting on Ziva? And Tony sizing him up the moment he says, "You're really hot?" OMG, I think I died a few times during that scene! And look, even more of the pretty!
Curtis: You have the softest-looking skin.
Ziva: Now you're getting creepy.
And Tony just looks at her like he totally agrees with the guy. Or even knows that she doesn't just look soft, take your pick. ^^
AND THEN THIS HAPPENED:
The way they communicate that whole thing without words? Tony playing Ziva and ruffling Curtis's hair to nudge him into playing along? AWESOMESAUCE!!!
Tony: I think he likes you.
No kidding, Sherlock! XD
And purely for the pretty and the drools, I give you this:
Diane: This is such a waste of time. Where are Leroy and Tobias?
Tony: Leroy.
Diane: Yes, Leroy. You do know your boss's name.
Tony: Of course I know. Just never heard it pronounced that way.
Diane: How do you pronounce it?
Tony: Gibbs.
(later, same scene)
Diane: Oh my god. You're trying to figure out why Leroy married me.
Tony: Noooo.
Diane: Wow. You're a terrible liar.
Tony: I'm a fantastic liar. Just not... very good at it... right now.
Abby's bff flirting up Fornell? Priceless! XD
*Love* how they come up with evidence that implies Diane may be involved, too. *Love* how this ties neatly into the case and leaves you guessing because you can't figure out where this is going. And I *love* the snarky irony of Gibbs's "Rule 69: Never trust a woman who doesn't trust her man." (This one made me laugh really hard - again. :) )
Diane: It wasn't easy being a human anti-depressant.
Now that I know where this is leading, I find myself already tearing up at this line. And the whole way this scene is played out is just so gut-wrenching, so subtly played, with just a few glances from Gibbs. And when her tough shell cracks for the first time and she asks Gibbs with that small voice close to breaking to "just find Victor", I feel for her, I really do. It's a brilliant scene, and it gets right under my skin. Good job, show. *hearts*
Love the scene when they rescue Victor. I actually *like* that guy, I think. ♥ And I adore Gibbs and Fornell exchanging knowing glances when Diane threatens to make his life a living hell... and then get totally confused when the scene dissolves into cuddles and puppies instead. Like, "Wait, what?"
Love Victor's foray into nerdiness when he explains how he knows what's going to happen with the virus. Yeah, I think I really like him. :)
Abby: This is the old phone that he used to macgyver into the intercom system.
*loves*
Love the whole virus sub-plot and how it unravels and changes around and constantly turns into something I didn't expect. Love the showdown. Love the way it comes down and how it leaves the door open for more. Love and adore Gibbs falling into the 20 questions trap himself and asking Fornell about the condom just when the shit is about to go down. Love the explanation Fornell gives and the whole friggin feel of them in this ep. I would watch a whole show of them playing private dicks together instead of being in retirement and bitching at each other while they solve crime. Someone needs to write this. ♥
Vance: You left me a bone sandwich, Gibbs.
Gibbs: I cut off the crust for you.
And oh, my god, that very last scene, with Diane and Gibbs really talking for the first time (at least it feels that way to me) and her being all soft and vulnerable, and oh, dear god, I cry so hard here - every time, not just the first time.
Diane: You were my Shannon, Leroy.
That line broke my heart. I'm still crying while I type this. It probably affects me like this because yeah, I know what that's like, and it's not pretty. This was just painful truth and beauty, all the way.
Last night, I said this is the best episode of NCIS I have seen since "Good Cop Bad Cop". This morning, it still holds true for me. I don't have the words yet to express how incredibly thankful I am for my show to give me this episode. In the meantime, a simple "Thank you, show!" will have to do. I can't wait for the rest of our journey. *happysighs*
Only vaguely related side note: I never understood the true value of actions in Photoshop until I just made one that covers the first five steps I usually do to lighten, smooth and color-adjust an image. OMG, friggin time saver, especially for 22 images!!!
This is a premiere, I think: for the very first time since I started doing these reviews, I do not have a single negative thing to say about this episode. ♥ Instead, I'm flowing over with love and joy and gratitude and, yes, emotion. Because before stumbling to bed in the middle of the night I realized this episode affects me in much the same way "Heartland" did.
Let me count the ways in which this was awesome...
It was a strong and solid case, which not only kept me captivated, it also was presented really well, it kept me guessing (and guessing wrong!) until the very end... and it left open the door for so much more to come because the solution was only the beginning for this. (And yeah, my gut says the Phantom 8 will be tied into this one.)
The opening banter, which has been raked over the coals by certain parties before they even saw one second of it, was amusing in some ways, but yes, vaguely creepy in others. (For the record - dear friends and co-workers, never ever show me you shower drain, okay?)
My first impression during rewatching was, strangely, how Michael's eyes flit all over the place when he's holding up the drain thingie. I think that scene may have hit a little too close to home... ;)
Sooo... I find it amusing that in the end, Ziva didn't really tease him about his "thinning hair problem", like it was announced in a certain spoiler, but rather reassured and supported him.
Ziva: I have dated men with thinning hair, yes.
It's also highly amusing that the hair thing was a recurring theme throughout the ep. And I laughed really, really hard when Tony spreads his paranoia to Timmy instantly, just so he can feel better about it. (Classic Tony at work here, hee!)
Correction: The scene that got the loudest laugh was when Gibbs wanders in just when Ziva says, "I mean, it's not like you guys are going grey!" and then whips around because she *knows* daddy heard that. Also, Tony? "I'm so glad that wasn't me." *snorts* *cackles* I am in total, utter love with this scene!
And the best part? It's almost hidden by his cell phone and I can't get a good cap of it, but when Gibbs gets his call and lets Ziva off the hook easily? HE'S GRINNING. ♥
Fornell: She called both of us. That can't be good.
♥
I have mad, mad love for the whole Gibbs/Diane/Fornell dynamic in this ep. All three of them played off each other so brilliantly. Perfect casting, perfect dynamic, perfect directing. I *love* Diane's snarkiness, *love* how she dished back at the guys what others usually get back from them, *love* that she didn't back down once. And omg, her sarcasm? Rocks.
Diane: He's not married to his work, he's married to his wife. It's a novel concept for the two of you, I'm sure.
Diane: I know there's no love lost between-
Fornell: Well, that's not exac-
Diane: Zip it, you!
I want to have babies with that woman's snark. ♥
And the Gibblets listening in - all three of them! *giggles* I want to write a story now, where Ziva's trying to concentrate but can't because Tony is just a liiittle too close while they're pressed up together against this door... uhm... yeah, that would be nice. *happysighs*
Also, watch Ziva's face while they're reporting what they found out so far. She is *totally* sizing up Diane - eyes going down, up, back down. Like, "She's not that scary. I can take her."
Shallow interlude - the pretty! All the pretty, it hurts my eyes!
AND THEN THIS HAPPENED:
And Ziva's grinning and laughing in the background ♥ while Tony smirks and grunts, "I'm a bald version of you!" Which, of course, leads to Gibbs noticing them, which leads to this...
Okay, one teeny tiny remark about the victims at Beltway Burgers needs to be inserted after all because they were happily and quite obviously breathing, but even I can easily ignore that and move on. ;)
Abby and her list of questions for Gibbs! ♥
I am in complete and utter love with this scene, especially when she says "Can I get a do-over?" and Gibbs walks out and comes back in and acts like this never happened. This felt like such an old-school NCIS scene that my heart flows over with love for it. This is them being quirky and still feeling like real persons. Thank you, dear show, for giving me back what I fell in love with! ♥
Tony, to Fornell: Can't be all bad. You married her.
Gibbs: Don't remind him.
And Vance, coming back to that scene later and rubbing salt in the wound? Priceless!
Tony, to Fornell again: Let it out. Just let it all out.
Gibbs: I'd rather you didn't.
*snorts* *giggles*
I love the guys' glee when it looks as if Victor may be dirty. Can't even blame them, hee. Fornell suggesting to flip for jurisdiction on the case, just so he doesn't have to deal with Diane. *giggles some more*
Gibbs: We can talk about this downstairs.
Diane: What, you have a basement here, too, Mr. Woodchuck?
I did mention I love this woman fiercely, yes? ♥ Her "Wasn't any fun trying to pry information out of Macauley Culkin here" had me laughing so hard again that I had to pause the vid for a second to catch my breath.
Love her giving the clue based on the wallet. Fast-paced scene, and it didn't feel like it was just placed there.
Also - sometimes I wonder how oblivious Tony really is. Especially when Ziva ogles him shamelessly like she does here. (Can't blame her, really. They both looked so yummy and lickable here, my brain 'splodes when I even think about it!)
Curtis, the geek, hitting on Ziva? And Tony sizing him up the moment he says, "You're really hot?" OMG, I think I died a few times during that scene! And look, even more of the pretty!
Curtis: You have the softest-looking skin.
Ziva: Now you're getting creepy.
And Tony just looks at her like he totally agrees with the guy. Or even knows that she doesn't just look soft, take your pick. ^^
AND THEN THIS HAPPENED:
The way they communicate that whole thing without words? Tony playing Ziva and ruffling Curtis's hair to nudge him into playing along? AWESOMESAUCE!!!
Tony: I think he likes you.
No kidding, Sherlock! XD
And purely for the pretty and the drools, I give you this:
Diane: This is such a waste of time. Where are Leroy and Tobias?
Tony: Leroy.
Diane: Yes, Leroy. You do know your boss's name.
Tony: Of course I know. Just never heard it pronounced that way.
Diane: How do you pronounce it?
Tony: Gibbs.
(later, same scene)
Diane: Oh my god. You're trying to figure out why Leroy married me.
Tony: Noooo.
Diane: Wow. You're a terrible liar.
Tony: I'm a fantastic liar. Just not... very good at it... right now.
Abby's bff flirting up Fornell? Priceless! XD
*Love* how they come up with evidence that implies Diane may be involved, too. *Love* how this ties neatly into the case and leaves you guessing because you can't figure out where this is going. And I *love* the snarky irony of Gibbs's "Rule 69: Never trust a woman who doesn't trust her man." (This one made me laugh really hard - again. :) )
Diane: It wasn't easy being a human anti-depressant.
Now that I know where this is leading, I find myself already tearing up at this line. And the whole way this scene is played out is just so gut-wrenching, so subtly played, with just a few glances from Gibbs. And when her tough shell cracks for the first time and she asks Gibbs with that small voice close to breaking to "just find Victor", I feel for her, I really do. It's a brilliant scene, and it gets right under my skin. Good job, show. *hearts*
Love the scene when they rescue Victor. I actually *like* that guy, I think. ♥ And I adore Gibbs and Fornell exchanging knowing glances when Diane threatens to make his life a living hell... and then get totally confused when the scene dissolves into cuddles and puppies instead. Like, "Wait, what?"
Love Victor's foray into nerdiness when he explains how he knows what's going to happen with the virus. Yeah, I think I really like him. :)
Abby: This is the old phone that he used to macgyver into the intercom system.
*loves*
Love the whole virus sub-plot and how it unravels and changes around and constantly turns into something I didn't expect. Love the showdown. Love the way it comes down and how it leaves the door open for more. Love and adore Gibbs falling into the 20 questions trap himself and asking Fornell about the condom just when the shit is about to go down. Love the explanation Fornell gives and the whole friggin feel of them in this ep. I would watch a whole show of them playing private dicks together instead of being in retirement and bitching at each other while they solve crime. Someone needs to write this. ♥
Vance: You left me a bone sandwich, Gibbs.
Gibbs: I cut off the crust for you.
And oh, my god, that very last scene, with Diane and Gibbs really talking for the first time (at least it feels that way to me) and her being all soft and vulnerable, and oh, dear god, I cry so hard here - every time, not just the first time.
Diane: You were my Shannon, Leroy.
That line broke my heart. I'm still crying while I type this. It probably affects me like this because yeah, I know what that's like, and it's not pretty. This was just painful truth and beauty, all the way.
Last night, I said this is the best episode of NCIS I have seen since "Good Cop Bad Cop". This morning, it still holds true for me. I don't have the words yet to express how incredibly thankful I am for my show to give me this episode. In the meantime, a simple "Thank you, show!" will have to do. I can't wait for the rest of our journey. *happysighs*
Only vaguely related side note: I never understood the true value of actions in Photoshop until I just made one that covers the first five steps I usually do to lighten, smooth and color-adjust an image. OMG, friggin time saver, especially for 22 images!!!