About NCIS 10x12 - Shiva

[littlesammy]

So... everyone still alive? No? Well, same here, so it's alright. And apparently America was dying as a collective, because we raked in 22.86 million viewers with that episode. Which makes it officially the most-watched NCIS episode ever. The reason I'm explicitly dropping this stunning number here is to deliver one final sneer into the haters'

Comments

[agentscully514]

Sammy, this is so beautiful. You made me cry, over and over again. I was blown into oblivion by this episode, and I can't get enough going over it. thank you, thank you, thank you.

I could keep going deeper into every frame. Today, 48 hours later, there are two scenes I'm obsessing over.

the first is the nightmare. We saw it in the previews, and we freaked out about the bed. I'm sort of glad we got it out of our system at that point, because there is so much else to see there. I adored the overhead shot of sleepless TOny tossing the baseball. Then in the kitchen, the second he heard a stirring from his bedroom, he was off like a SHOT. His eyes and ears are NEVER off her, especially in times of crisis. My first time through this scene, I was captivated by their hands. There is something incredibly tender and intimate about the way he touches her. Friends or siblings would never touch each other like that, he opened up his fingers and put their palms together, as if they were making love, and if that wasn't enough, he caressed her wrist with his other hand. All the while he is watching her with the most tender expression, I was taken aback. and then.... as you discussed, he walked away, because that's what she needed.

The second one that I can't get over, unsurprisingly, is the embrace. I don't want to call it a hug because that makes it sound trite. It was more intimate and profound than any kiss I've ever seen on TV. I don't even know how to talk about this scene. He enters, looking ridiculously hot in the long coat, perfectly mirroring the opening scene. Except this time, instead of pulling a gun on him, she is not remotely surprised to see him there. In Shabbat Shalom, the pivotal scene of Ziva discovering her father's body is all about her voice - her scream, her sobbing. This scene is about Tony's eyes. We can see the moment he breaks the facade and asks her not to go - then the relief when she assures him it's not an issue. The surprise in his eyes when she embraces him tightly. The intimacy when he tells her those words. And for me, the softness in his eyes as they pull away. And I don't even have the words to describe his eyes as she walks to the plane.

she WILL have those arms to come home to, and she knows it.

For me, the iconic image of this exquisite episode is that of Tony, in his long coat, appearing like a guardian angel sent by God at the exact moment he was needed.

[wennuhpen]

"For me, the iconic image of this exquisite episode is that of Tony, in his long coat, appearing like a guardian angel sent by God at the exact moment he was needed."

As if I hadn't done enough crying, (and this is very awkward since my piano tuner is here...) you throw this at me. That's it right there, he's her gardian angel. *sobs*

[agentscully514]

They gave us a preview in Shabbat Shalom, when Tony is standing over Eli's body. I thought he was standing guard over Eli. After Shiva, now I know he was standing guard over Ziva. I am so in love with Tony right now it's not even funny.

[quisinart4]

I totally agree about getting the nightmare scene out of our system via the promos cause then we had the ending scene to look forward to!!! I agree about the hands too, it took me by surprise because considering how they hardly touch at all - yes, get into each other's personal space, of course, but I'm talking about TOUCHING touching, their hands just fit together so seamlessly, it took my breath away. And I love how Tony didn't hesitate to touch her like he would usually.

And I don't even have the words to describe his eyes as she walks to the plane.

I know. I know. MW just... nails it every time he looks at her, good God. And the perfect balance of Cote's quivering lip and the unshed tears in her eyes that sparkle in the night, bravo.

[agentscully514]

I know I'm an obsessive freak, but ... is it just me, or does it look like he might be whispering something to himself as she walks away? maybe there was a scripted response that they cut out? We know this has been the case for both of the emotional scenes in Shell Shocked 1 and 2.

[quisinart4]

Hmm, good point, but I saw it as just one of his thoughtful "Ziva" looks that MW does so well. He sort of purses his lips and lets out this breath like good god haha. It took me back to how he does it @ the end of 6x05 scene, where he also speaks Hebrew to her. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNp8x26-avQ

Could be a line they cut, but IDK, to me it resonated as one of his epic looks at Ziva and an exhale.

[agentscully514]

There's a quick shot of him opening his mouth a little, before the lip thrusting thing. I dunno, could be imagination or wishful thinking. But maybe someone will post the script somewhere as they did for Shell Shock 1 & 2.

Yeah, we know that look well. it took me back to Aaliyah actually, and I can't help but think Tony would have been flashing back to that traumatic moment, but this time reassuring himself that she is coming back.

[quisinart4]

You could be right, I guess we won't know unless we see the script. But as you said, it is a very familiar look when it comes to Ziva, heck, in Family, Recoil, Nine Lives, Aliyah, Code of Conduct... goodness... it amazes me how MW keeps that look such a constant even after years and years, you know?

That reminds me of a line in a fic I just read @ FF that made the exact comparison. http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8918609/1/Phoenix Nice little one with like missing scenes from the ep if you wanna give it a read.

[agentscully514]

that's a lovely fic, thank you! and I just found this one while I was there. Nice missing scene of Tony going to Gibbs' basement after the airport.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8919604/1/Tongue-Tied

[quisinart4]

Cool, thank you for the link. Waiting to see eagerly what Sammy may come up with :D Until then, still reeling from the episode. It's actually a good thing we have a week break cause I'm still a mess.

[agentscully514]

I'm still a mess too, and I still need to talk about it. Glad to have found this group of people.

[quisinart4]

I'm definitely here, feel free to read the comment I just left at this post too. I'm surprised we haven't talked about Tony's "I thought, Ziva. I think a lot of stuff. All the time," comment yet. I mean, I was already breathless at that and then they give me that end scene so I almost forgot about it, but seriously, what an admission, am I right?

[agentscully514]

I secretly love when Tony bosses Ziva around, so I already loved this scene. And I agree with you completely, it was a huge admission. We already figured, but to hear him just come out and say it took my breath away. I actually had wondered what other Hebrew phrases he might have learned, so he'd have the right one ready.

Also loved how he easily admitted he made the choice to keep her away from the investigation.

[quisinart4]

Yesss, thank you, I AGREE. I was honestly BREATHLESS at that admission cause thats' a first, for him to ever ADMIT that he's thinking about it, that he's thinking all the time *sobs* With that powerful last scene, that line is getting lost so I had to bring it to your attention to have someone to flail with all over again.

[agentscully514]

I'm flailing with you! also, let's take a moment to appreciate Tony fresh out of the shower. mrowr.

[quisinart4]

For reals, yum haha. But seriously, it just punched me in the gut how he said that line, how he makes that admission and then quickly disguises it in between talk about the case. But there's no disguising anything in that last scene. *sigh*