Episode Review: Dead Man Talking (1x19)
So, firstly, can I just say Angsty!Gibbs - Heeeeeeeeee. And now, we cut for spoilerage.
Was slightly disappointed with the Ducky content in this one - I know it was more screentime than he's had in much of S3, but it was still a little disappointing given all the lovely opportunities there were in this ep for him to comfort Gibbs. And boy did Gibbs need some comfort. The angst on his face, the pain post-flashback was, well, I'd say lovely, but you might call me crazy for that.
The first G/D moment occurs in the elevator at Pacci's apartment and it did make me all warm and gooey inside; Duck is examining Pacci's body when Gibbs - angst/guilt/pain-ridden Gibbs - joins him. It's 'business' related conversation but there are definite personal overtones for both men; both worked with Pacci. It's a good S1 example of how experienced Ducky is at reading Gibbs too when he tries to assuage Jethro's guilt by telling him it wasn't his fault.
GIBBS: Chris asked me for help on a cold case. I was chasing Curtain and didn't have time.
DUCKY: Jethro...
GIBBS: He said it could wait, what difference would another day make?
DUCKY: Jethro, this is not your fault.
GIBBS: Feels like it is, Ducky.
He's obviously very familiar with the darker emotions that Gibbs harbours. Watching carefully, I was almost certain that as Ducky sits back his instinct is to touch Gibbs in an attempt to comfort. Wish he had. *sigh* But what we got was still lovely.
Another 'business' related scene in Autopsy - Gibbs comes down to see what Duck can tell him. The bit that really stands out for me is the end where Gibbs states that Pacci knew Ducky would do the autopsy, knew he would find what he was hiding. The conviction in Gibbs voice is lovely; speaks volumes of his own opinion of Duck (whether you subscribe to the slash angle or not). Then follows another autopsy scene a little later: Gibbs is now in full 'go get 'em' mode - the affection he usually shows for Duck is lacking becasue of it, but Ducky doesn't take offence. To me, he seems more put out when Kate says: 'Please. He's gotta learn to say please'. He's worked with Gibbs long enough to know how he behaves under this kind of pressure. And let's face it, it's not like Gibbs often says please when he's in a good mood. :D
Late night, autopsy. Gibbs enters and Ducky states he was just about to phone him - to me, as the rabid slash fan I am, this came across with a hint of something more than professional; like most of their exchanges. Ducky says that he knows the Director has asked Gibbs to speak at the memorial and all I could think was how sad he looked when Gibbs refuses, saying it wouldn't feel right.There's this quiet little 'oh, Gibbs' that tugged on my heart-strings. You're a loving, caring, sweet man Donald Mallard. It's obvious again here that he knows Gibbs' darker side well. As Gibbs leaves and Duck turns out the lights the only way I can explain his reaction is pain - pained by the guilt that literally oozes out of Jethro throughout most of the ep, shaking his head sadly and I just wanted to hug him. A really, really BIG hug. Then tell him to go to Gibbs and hold him through what you know is going to be a looooooong night.
Speaking of long nights, the next day Duck drops in on Abbs on his way out to the memorial - decked out like Gibbs in black suit and tie - looking like it really was a long one. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking as the muse went off on a tangent: a long night with Gibbs? Or without him? I know he worked with Pacci and referred to him with fond affection as Christopher, but I couldn't help wondering if he was also partly going to offer support to Gibbs the others. All in all, a couple of very sad moments between our pair that made me want to eat half a pound of chocolate. Will definitely be watching this one again.
Not a great deal else that got me in this one. I think the way that Gibbs was snapping even at Abby spoke a lot about his mental state - lots of the guilt, determination and abruptness that we get to drool over later in the show through the rest of the Ari arc and of course TMP: covering pain with anger. Was interesting to see Kate's reactions to Voss' actions at the end and the seeming confusion over Gibbs' behaviour. He really did seem to take some measure of satisfaction from the final scenes but I wonder how long that actually lasts: I find it hard to believe that Gibbs takes pleasure in death, no matter the circumstances, it's just that the damn PTB never really show us the emotional fallout. Or you know, Ducky making it all better.
McGee and Abby. Wonderful, particularly the scene with McGee on the cell-phone whilst Tony is UA:
McGee: What do I do here, Abbs?
Abby: Don’t volunteer anything; only answer questions asked. And whatever you do, do not lie because Gibbs is like Santa Claus. He knows if you’ve been naughty.
They are so good together; Abby rocks as it is, but their S1 interaction where McGee is doing his Bambi impression makes me smile without fail. Squee.
The he-she angle, IMO, was rather good and although I knew what was going to happen, it still came as a surprise if you know what I mean. The elevator scene with Gibbs, Kate and Abby made me laugh out loud: I don't hate Tony, in fact he is sort of likeable, but as there's no Jen or Ziva at this point in time...I have to have someone to pick on and Tony's it. His come-uppance right at the very end was priceless - I love the last exchange between DiNozzo and Kate.
TONY: Okay, all right, give it to me, Kate, I can take it.
KATE: What was it like, tonguing a guy?
TONY: Forget it, I can't take it.
GibbsDucky rating: 8/10.
Series rating: 9/10.
Was slightly disappointed with the Ducky content in this one - I know it was more screentime than he's had in much of S3, but it was still a little disappointing given all the lovely opportunities there were in this ep for him to comfort Gibbs. And boy did Gibbs need some comfort. The angst on his face, the pain post-flashback was, well, I'd say lovely, but you might call me crazy for that.
The first G/D moment occurs in the elevator at Pacci's apartment and it did make me all warm and gooey inside; Duck is examining Pacci's body when Gibbs - angst/guilt/pain-ridden Gibbs - joins him. It's 'business' related conversation but there are definite personal overtones for both men; both worked with Pacci. It's a good S1 example of how experienced Ducky is at reading Gibbs too when he tries to assuage Jethro's guilt by telling him it wasn't his fault.
GIBBS: Chris asked me for help on a cold case. I was chasing Curtain and didn't have time.
DUCKY: Jethro...
GIBBS: He said it could wait, what difference would another day make?
DUCKY: Jethro, this is not your fault.
GIBBS: Feels like it is, Ducky.
He's obviously very familiar with the darker emotions that Gibbs harbours. Watching carefully, I was almost certain that as Ducky sits back his instinct is to touch Gibbs in an attempt to comfort. Wish he had. *sigh* But what we got was still lovely.
Another 'business' related scene in Autopsy - Gibbs comes down to see what Duck can tell him. The bit that really stands out for me is the end where Gibbs states that Pacci knew Ducky would do the autopsy, knew he would find what he was hiding. The conviction in Gibbs voice is lovely; speaks volumes of his own opinion of Duck (whether you subscribe to the slash angle or not). Then follows another autopsy scene a little later: Gibbs is now in full 'go get 'em' mode - the affection he usually shows for Duck is lacking becasue of it, but Ducky doesn't take offence. To me, he seems more put out when Kate says: 'Please. He's gotta learn to say please'. He's worked with Gibbs long enough to know how he behaves under this kind of pressure. And let's face it, it's not like Gibbs often says please when he's in a good mood. :D
Late night, autopsy. Gibbs enters and Ducky states he was just about to phone him - to me, as the rabid slash fan I am, this came across with a hint of something more than professional; like most of their exchanges. Ducky says that he knows the Director has asked Gibbs to speak at the memorial and all I could think was how sad he looked when Gibbs refuses, saying it wouldn't feel right.There's this quiet little 'oh, Gibbs' that tugged on my heart-strings. You're a loving, caring, sweet man Donald Mallard. It's obvious again here that he knows Gibbs' darker side well. As Gibbs leaves and Duck turns out the lights the only way I can explain his reaction is pain - pained by the guilt that literally oozes out of Jethro throughout most of the ep, shaking his head sadly and I just wanted to hug him. A really, really BIG hug. Then tell him to go to Gibbs and hold him through what you know is going to be a looooooong night.
Speaking of long nights, the next day Duck drops in on Abbs on his way out to the memorial - decked out like Gibbs in black suit and tie - looking like it really was a long one. Or maybe that was just wishful thinking as the muse went off on a tangent: a long night with Gibbs? Or without him? I know he worked with Pacci and referred to him with fond affection as Christopher, but I couldn't help wondering if he was also partly going to offer support to Gibbs the others. All in all, a couple of very sad moments between our pair that made me want to eat half a pound of chocolate. Will definitely be watching this one again.
Not a great deal else that got me in this one. I think the way that Gibbs was snapping even at Abby spoke a lot about his mental state - lots of the guilt, determination and abruptness that we get to drool over later in the show through the rest of the Ari arc and of course TMP: covering pain with anger. Was interesting to see Kate's reactions to Voss' actions at the end and the seeming confusion over Gibbs' behaviour. He really did seem to take some measure of satisfaction from the final scenes but I wonder how long that actually lasts: I find it hard to believe that Gibbs takes pleasure in death, no matter the circumstances, it's just that the damn PTB never really show us the emotional fallout. Or you know, Ducky making it all better.
McGee and Abby. Wonderful, particularly the scene with McGee on the cell-phone whilst Tony is UA:
McGee: What do I do here, Abbs?
Abby: Don’t volunteer anything; only answer questions asked. And whatever you do, do not lie because Gibbs is like Santa Claus. He knows if you’ve been naughty.
They are so good together; Abby rocks as it is, but their S1 interaction where McGee is doing his Bambi impression makes me smile without fail. Squee.
The he-she angle, IMO, was rather good and although I knew what was going to happen, it still came as a surprise if you know what I mean. The elevator scene with Gibbs, Kate and Abby made me laugh out loud: I don't hate Tony, in fact he is sort of likeable, but as there's no Jen or Ziva at this point in time...I have to have someone to pick on and Tony's it. His come-uppance right at the very end was priceless - I love the last exchange between DiNozzo and Kate.
TONY: Okay, all right, give it to me, Kate, I can take it.
KATE: What was it like, tonguing a guy?
TONY: Forget it, I can't take it.
GibbsDucky rating: 8/10.
Series rating: 9/10.