In which Sammy doesn't quite do a review but still shares a few thoughts about NCIS 10x18 "Seek"
You do realize that Dex, the dog, is actually just a great big metaphor again, right...? Because what they really talk about every time they mention the dog is... family.
Aside from the fact that they have established in numerous episodes that being a Marine = being family and at the end Gibbs states that, "he's not a dog, he's a Marine", look at just a few quotes, randomly chosen:
Ruby: We raised him together, here in this house.
Pitt: He coddled that dog, like it was his own kid.
Dex is, without a doubt, a part of this couple's family, much like a kid would have been, and Ruby was well aware that despite their love for him one day he would grow up and leave the house they would have to give him away. Now, though, he's the only bond left to her dead husband, and the role of their substitute child becomes even more apparent, which is why the end scene where he gets to stay with Ruby... yeah, it rips my heart out and stomps a Tango on it because she gets to keep the kid after all and all that jazz... *sobs*
Now, if you keep that metaphor in mind: look at how Ziva reacts to the "kid". And then observe how curious Tony gets about her reaction, despite the fact that he still has these gut-level anxieties about kids dogs:
He likes what he sees. And yeah, he longs for what he sees, too. And that's the point where he starts to think it might not be all that bad to get a family dog of his own. Because loving like this isn't all that scary, right? And Ziva gets this, when she pats his back while they're leaving. I've rarely seen them *this* close, this physical with each other.
It's almost as if her whole body language says, 'I know. Soon, love. Soon.'
So, yeah, that's the main reason why I love this storyline so fiercely: one of these times where they dish out a metaphor that is just so gorgeous it makes my heart ache. <3
The other scene that tickles me silly is the one between Ziva and Vance in the squad room. Seriously, I had no idea I needed this scene so badly until I got it. It grabs my heart and squeezes... for two different reasons. But let's take a closer look at this:
Vance: Long as we share this bond, David, promise me -- when I come to offer my perspective, concerning what it is that you're catching up on, you'll be as forthcoming as I'm about to be?
Ziva: Promise I'll try.
Vance: I don't know if I'm scared but I will admit that I do worry some. I worry that... that the act of hiring a nanny means that I'm moving on. And if I'm moving on, I worry that Jackie's... death... it'll feel... like...
Ziva: ... it's a bit more final?
Vance: *nods*
Ziva: Well, then I suggest you take your time, director. Hire a nanny or do not hire one, but do not let anyone tell you when you're ready or should be ready to move on. That is entirely up to you.
I mostly love this scene for the immense level of understanding that passes between these two. She gets why he is so troubled. He gets what she's trying to say. AND he lets slip that he's fully aware of her investigations, the "stuff" she's been busy with. That he's letting her do it. That he *doesn't* tell her to cut it out and move on... much like she doesn't tell him to move on in return. In that moment, they're both not quite ready yet. (Although, by the end of the episode, we see that Vance may be a bit faster to get there.)
Now, the real importance of this exchange is, for one, that I get the distinct impression that Ziva clings to her chase, to her investigations, for the very same reasons Vance finds himself unable to hire a nanny just yet. Because letting it go, letting others do the job... would make her father's death final. Would mean she'd have to accept things as they are, and she'd have to move on. And, in a way, it would also mean letting her father down. Because even in death, she does all she can to fulfill his expectations, to be the best for him. She doesn't trust anyone else to do a proper job on this.
The other connotation -- and that one kicks me right in the gut -- is that it throws me right back to something Eli said to Vance almost five years ago: "Use her well, Leon. Ziva is the sharp end of the spear."
And you know what, that's exactly what's happening right here: he's using her well. He knows she's in for revenge, and he knows she's out to get whoever did this. And he knows she's far better in dealing with the bitter taste of revenge than he is. That he can't go there because he has to think about his kids and all. That he will have to move on eventually... so he quietly endorses Ziva to seek revenge in his stead. He has her back for now, and he knows exactly what she's doing.
So, you know what? I heard the spoilers about the upcoming episodes, and I kinda shrugged and said, okay, let's see what'll happen there. But now, after this scene I'm suddenly insanely excited about how this will pan out and where they'll go with this storyline. I can taste the promise of a well-told, gutwrenching story on the tip of my tongue. And fuck, yes, I'm suddenly bouncing on my toes in excitement. <3
random moments of love:
That shot of Dex and mostly the way he's whimpering -- yeah, they really have a knack for making me burst into tears this year. It's an insanely powerful image, and yeah, it kicks right in the gut.
The Mary Poppins nanny, right down to a fake Brit accent! And, going with Tony's earlier nanny mashup, they not only make her as bubbly as the nanny in "The Sound of Music", no, they actually call her Maria! *snorts*
Lovelovelove that style on Ziva! And *cough* I'd love it even more on Ziva on top of Tony...
Just sayin'...
Rare, but Timmy actually looks sharper than Tony here...
Can I just mention how much I love that Sean is back on the more healthy side of things? And can I then add that this directly affects his level of expressiveness and I have just plain old missed his weirdo faces?
Exhibit B - "Afghanistan?!" XD
"I'm sorry, I panicked, okay?" God, I laughed so hard at this scene! And the TV junkie in me rejoiced when Tony yells "Zeus! Apollo!" while he makes a dive for the car. (The names of the two dobermans in "Magnum, PI", for the young folks among you. ;) )
"We've noticed." Took me a second viewing to realize they are totally, utterly in sync when they say this, right down to the frigging pens they're holding. <3 Which even gets them a weird look from their suspect afterwards. *giggles*
Ziva!belly is very yummy, and I would like to lick it very much. <3
And again, the only way that yummy belly could look any better would be on top of Tony...
"Why am I telling you this?" This scene already amused me a lot in the preview, and I have a lot of love for it. *giggles*
"You'd have to be a complete idiot to even offer your two cents." - "Well, I don't know about an idiot..."
*snorts* This, right after the scene between Ziva and Vance, made me laugh hard. ^_^
Gibbs sharing his sandwich with Dex. <3
Coming full circle, right back to that powerful image from the very beginning -- one Marine mourning over a fallen comrade... *sobs*
Looking sharp, all three of them!
So we're no longer just color- but material-coordinating now, too...?
And yeah, that look... *happysighs*
So, yeah, I have to admit that I went into this episode a little cautiously, because the last episode Michael directed... left me rather annoyed and thinking I'd wandered into one of his man-movies while I wasn't looking. But now, I'm a pretty happy camper, and I have a lot of love for my show. And I can't wait to see where they'll take me next. <3
Aside from the fact that they have established in numerous episodes that being a Marine = being family and at the end Gibbs states that, "he's not a dog, he's a Marine", look at just a few quotes, randomly chosen:
Ruby: We raised him together, here in this house.
Pitt: He coddled that dog, like it was his own kid.
Dex is, without a doubt, a part of this couple's family, much like a kid would have been, and Ruby was well aware that despite their love for him one day he would grow up and leave the house they would have to give him away. Now, though, he's the only bond left to her dead husband, and the role of their substitute child becomes even more apparent, which is why the end scene where he gets to stay with Ruby... yeah, it rips my heart out and stomps a Tango on it because she gets to keep the kid after all and all that jazz... *sobs*
Now, if you keep that metaphor in mind: look at how Ziva reacts to the "kid". And then observe how curious Tony gets about her reaction, despite the fact that he still has these gut-level anxieties about kids dogs:
He likes what he sees. And yeah, he longs for what he sees, too. And that's the point where he starts to think it might not be all that bad to get a family dog of his own. Because loving like this isn't all that scary, right? And Ziva gets this, when she pats his back while they're leaving. I've rarely seen them *this* close, this physical with each other.
It's almost as if her whole body language says, 'I know. Soon, love. Soon.'
So, yeah, that's the main reason why I love this storyline so fiercely: one of these times where they dish out a metaphor that is just so gorgeous it makes my heart ache. <3
The other scene that tickles me silly is the one between Ziva and Vance in the squad room. Seriously, I had no idea I needed this scene so badly until I got it. It grabs my heart and squeezes... for two different reasons. But let's take a closer look at this:
Vance: Long as we share this bond, David, promise me -- when I come to offer my perspective, concerning what it is that you're catching up on, you'll be as forthcoming as I'm about to be?
Ziva: Promise I'll try.
Vance: I don't know if I'm scared but I will admit that I do worry some. I worry that... that the act of hiring a nanny means that I'm moving on. And if I'm moving on, I worry that Jackie's... death... it'll feel... like...
Ziva: ... it's a bit more final?
Vance: *nods*
Ziva: Well, then I suggest you take your time, director. Hire a nanny or do not hire one, but do not let anyone tell you when you're ready or should be ready to move on. That is entirely up to you.
I mostly love this scene for the immense level of understanding that passes between these two. She gets why he is so troubled. He gets what she's trying to say. AND he lets slip that he's fully aware of her investigations, the "stuff" she's been busy with. That he's letting her do it. That he *doesn't* tell her to cut it out and move on... much like she doesn't tell him to move on in return. In that moment, they're both not quite ready yet. (Although, by the end of the episode, we see that Vance may be a bit faster to get there.)
Now, the real importance of this exchange is, for one, that I get the distinct impression that Ziva clings to her chase, to her investigations, for the very same reasons Vance finds himself unable to hire a nanny just yet. Because letting it go, letting others do the job... would make her father's death final. Would mean she'd have to accept things as they are, and she'd have to move on. And, in a way, it would also mean letting her father down. Because even in death, she does all she can to fulfill his expectations, to be the best for him. She doesn't trust anyone else to do a proper job on this.
The other connotation -- and that one kicks me right in the gut -- is that it throws me right back to something Eli said to Vance almost five years ago: "Use her well, Leon. Ziva is the sharp end of the spear."
And you know what, that's exactly what's happening right here: he's using her well. He knows she's in for revenge, and he knows she's out to get whoever did this. And he knows she's far better in dealing with the bitter taste of revenge than he is. That he can't go there because he has to think about his kids and all. That he will have to move on eventually... so he quietly endorses Ziva to seek revenge in his stead. He has her back for now, and he knows exactly what she's doing.
So, you know what? I heard the spoilers about the upcoming episodes, and I kinda shrugged and said, okay, let's see what'll happen there. But now, after this scene I'm suddenly insanely excited about how this will pan out and where they'll go with this storyline. I can taste the promise of a well-told, gutwrenching story on the tip of my tongue. And fuck, yes, I'm suddenly bouncing on my toes in excitement. <3
random moments of love:
That shot of Dex and mostly the way he's whimpering -- yeah, they really have a knack for making me burst into tears this year. It's an insanely powerful image, and yeah, it kicks right in the gut.
The Mary Poppins nanny, right down to a fake Brit accent! And, going with Tony's earlier nanny mashup, they not only make her as bubbly as the nanny in "The Sound of Music", no, they actually call her Maria! *snorts*
Lovelovelove that style on Ziva! And *cough* I'd love it even more on Ziva on top of Tony...
Just sayin'...
Rare, but Timmy actually looks sharper than Tony here...
Can I just mention how much I love that Sean is back on the more healthy side of things? And can I then add that this directly affects his level of expressiveness and I have just plain old missed his weirdo faces?
Exhibit B - "Afghanistan?!" XD
"I'm sorry, I panicked, okay?" God, I laughed so hard at this scene! And the TV junkie in me rejoiced when Tony yells "Zeus! Apollo!" while he makes a dive for the car. (The names of the two dobermans in "Magnum, PI", for the young folks among you. ;) )
"We've noticed." Took me a second viewing to realize they are totally, utterly in sync when they say this, right down to the frigging pens they're holding. <3 Which even gets them a weird look from their suspect afterwards. *giggles*
Ziva!belly is very yummy, and I would like to lick it very much. <3
And again, the only way that yummy belly could look any better would be on top of Tony...
"Why am I telling you this?" This scene already amused me a lot in the preview, and I have a lot of love for it. *giggles*
"You'd have to be a complete idiot to even offer your two cents." - "Well, I don't know about an idiot..."
*snorts* This, right after the scene between Ziva and Vance, made me laugh hard. ^_^
Gibbs sharing his sandwich with Dex. <3
Coming full circle, right back to that powerful image from the very beginning -- one Marine mourning over a fallen comrade... *sobs*
Looking sharp, all three of them!
So we're no longer just color- but material-coordinating now, too...?
And yeah, that look... *happysighs*
So, yeah, I have to admit that I went into this episode a little cautiously, because the last episode Michael directed... left me rather annoyed and thinking I'd wandered into one of his man-movies while I wasn't looking. But now, I'm a pretty happy camper, and I have a lot of love for my show. And I can't wait to see where they'll take me next. <3