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fandomhigh_ooc2007-01-28 12:29 am
cheerfulgoth.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh_ooc2007-01-28 12:29 am
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Spotlight on Fandoms: NCIS
NCIS: Now with 100% less Navy!
Overview
NCIS is a criminal drama that follows a team of agents at the Naval Criminal Investigate Unit, a federal law enforcement agency that deals with crimes related to the Navy or Marines. The show was a spin-off from the long-running JAG and is similar to that show in a lot of areas. The show is set in Washington DC and they’ve made references to 9/11 and current military and political personnel; in fact there have been some cameos by military personnel on the show.
Why 'less Navy'? Two reasons. When the show first started they wanted to show that they weren't just JAG with cops so they made a point to have the team be completely civilian. In actuality, only about half of the real NCIS employees are civilian. Also, the show was originally called Navy NCIS but they eventually took off the extra Navy because it was lame, yo.
Characters
Leroy Jethro Gibbs - played by Mark Harmon - Gibbs, the head of the team, is a former marine who can interrogate people with just a look. He’s extremely skilled at what he does to the point where he doesn’t really make a mistake. Ever. His management style tends to be'head-slapping’ orientated and oh yeah, he’s building a boat in his basement.
Why I like him? He’s more of a father figure than a boss to the team at times. Despite his reputation as a hard-ass, he’s fiercely protective of his team and believes in their abilities more than they do. Also, I’ve got a theory that about half of those head slaps are hugs in disguise. I’m sorta delusional.
Tony DiNozzo - played by Michael Weatherly - DiNozzo is the senior agent on the team and is a former homicide detective. Despite the fact that he plays the lovable, womanizing goofball, he’s completely competent at his job. He was actually put in charge of the team for a time period and his character has a lot of depth compared to the typical 'himbo'.
Why I like him? See above for competence thing. I love the funny just as much as the next gal, but it irks me when you watch a show and they make one character a complete idiot in order to get a laugh. I like seeing smart professional people get a laugh without it being demeaning.
Dr. Mallard or Ducky - played by David McCallum - Ducky is the chief medical examiner for the team and is old and Scottish and pretty much awesome. He’s infamous for telling long stories that may or may not have anything to do with the current topic. Ducky also talks to dead people a lot. At least they don’t mind the stories. He lives with his 96-year-old mother who has dementia and tends to obsess about his love life when she’s not, you know, completely off her rocker.
Why I like him? He once pushed a French police officer off a cliff when the man disturbed a crime scene. You have to admire that sort of dedication to your job.
Tim McGee- played by Sean Murray - McGee was a NCIS computer specialist that was consulted with during the first season and was eventually made a member of the team when Gibbs requested him in season two. While he’s no longer a 'probie’, as Tony is so found of calling him, he’s still the least experienced member of the team and is just now starting to find his footing as a special agent.
Why I like him? He's...he's a geek! He’s a baby-faced gamer who spends his free time typing out his mystery novel on an old fashioned typewriter. He even keeps a pipe around, for inspiration! How cute is that?
Abby Sciuto - played by Pauley Perrette - Cribbed straight from wikipedia: A technogeek in the mold of The Lone Gunmen, Abby is probably best known for her gothic style of dress 'to include tattoos) and happy-go-lucky attitude. Abby is seemingly fueled by 'Big Gulp' stylized caffeinated sodas, called Caf-Pow!, which are perpetually provided to her by Gibbs and other members of the team as a motivational tool. Abby is extremely well-versed in her field of study although often works in conjunction with Agent McGee. Rarely stumped by the evidentiary puzzles which Gibbs' team presents her, she has been shown to exhibit an almost religious zeal for the field of criminal forensics.
Why I like her? Obviously, I’m huge Abby fan but the reason I fell in love with her is because she’s the relationship touchstone for the team. She’s the little sister, the daughter, the sibling. Abby relates in a positive way to everyone on the team and does it while making no apologies about her oddness.
Ziva David - played by Cote de Pablo - Ziva is a Mossad agent currently working with NCIS. I hate this character with the fiery passion usually reserved for the soap scum in the shower or that guy who always sits next to me on the bus who smells like urine and beef jerky.
The show has been trying to soften up her character lately, giving her more jokes and vulnerabilities and I’m sure it’s working for some of the fans but not me. They lost me when they had her 'interrogate' an American citizen without anyone else present. And when I say 'interrogate' I mean torture. At least that’s what they implied and that just wigs me out. Ugh.
Downsides
Usually the biggest fans are the most critical, we just love to hate our shows. NCIS isn’t perfect and I’m well aware of the problems. It has a problem deciding what sort of show it wants to be, a drama or a comedy. It would probably manage bringing the funny better if the jokes didn’t usually resemble stuff that was churned out of a 6th grade locker room. There are some episodes that are almost ridiculous and others that are actually tense and dramatic. Because of the type of show it is, it tends to get preachy about world affairs.
A downside that’s not really a downside is the fact that while this show is in it’s fourth season, it has a pretty small fandom presence. I’m not sure of all the reasons but it can be hard to find good discussion groups and fanfic. Except for Ducky. You can find Ducky fic easily because the actor was also on 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E’ and those fans are crazy-go-nuts.
Why I watch
I’m a sucker for relationships, I watch Numb3rs just to see the family dynamic. NCIS’ best moments are when that dynamic is in play. Gibbs coaxes Abby to work with Caf-Pow! and hangs out with her in an elevator when she’s being stalked. Tony treats McGee like a little brother, teasing him one moment and sticking up for him when he’s in trouble. I watch for when the team hangs out, when they check up on each other, when they apologize, when they get worried or upset or grieve and they do it together.
Except for Ziva. She has no heart and she probably ate her family. And puppies. Seriously.
Where can I get me some NCIS?
NCIS is currently in its fourth season on CBS and it plays on Tuesday nights at 8 pm 'EST). You should watch! It’s up against American Idol and...um...apparently a lot of people watch that show. You can also buy previous seasons at the online retailer of your choice!
Overview
NCIS is a criminal drama that follows a team of agents at the Naval Criminal Investigate Unit, a federal law enforcement agency that deals with crimes related to the Navy or Marines. The show was a spin-off from the long-running JAG and is similar to that show in a lot of areas. The show is set in Washington DC and they’ve made references to 9/11 and current military and political personnel; in fact there have been some cameos by military personnel on the show.
Why 'less Navy'? Two reasons. When the show first started they wanted to show that they weren't just JAG with cops so they made a point to have the team be completely civilian. In actuality, only about half of the real NCIS employees are civilian. Also, the show was originally called Navy NCIS but they eventually took off the extra Navy because it was lame, yo.
Characters
Leroy Jethro Gibbs - played by Mark Harmon - Gibbs, the head of the team, is a former marine who can interrogate people with just a look. He’s extremely skilled at what he does to the point where he doesn’t really make a mistake. Ever. His management style tends to be'head-slapping’ orientated and oh yeah, he’s building a boat in his basement.
Why I like him? He’s more of a father figure than a boss to the team at times. Despite his reputation as a hard-ass, he’s fiercely protective of his team and believes in their abilities more than they do. Also, I’ve got a theory that about half of those head slaps are hugs in disguise. I’m sorta delusional.
Tony DiNozzo - played by Michael Weatherly - DiNozzo is the senior agent on the team and is a former homicide detective. Despite the fact that he plays the lovable, womanizing goofball, he’s completely competent at his job. He was actually put in charge of the team for a time period and his character has a lot of depth compared to the typical 'himbo'.
Why I like him? See above for competence thing. I love the funny just as much as the next gal, but it irks me when you watch a show and they make one character a complete idiot in order to get a laugh. I like seeing smart professional people get a laugh without it being demeaning.
Dr. Mallard or Ducky - played by David McCallum - Ducky is the chief medical examiner for the team and is old and Scottish and pretty much awesome. He’s infamous for telling long stories that may or may not have anything to do with the current topic. Ducky also talks to dead people a lot. At least they don’t mind the stories. He lives with his 96-year-old mother who has dementia and tends to obsess about his love life when she’s not, you know, completely off her rocker.
Why I like him? He once pushed a French police officer off a cliff when the man disturbed a crime scene. You have to admire that sort of dedication to your job.
Tim McGee- played by Sean Murray - McGee was a NCIS computer specialist that was consulted with during the first season and was eventually made a member of the team when Gibbs requested him in season two. While he’s no longer a 'probie’, as Tony is so found of calling him, he’s still the least experienced member of the team and is just now starting to find his footing as a special agent.
Why I like him? He's...he's a geek! He’s a baby-faced gamer who spends his free time typing out his mystery novel on an old fashioned typewriter. He even keeps a pipe around, for inspiration! How cute is that?
Abby Sciuto - played by Pauley Perrette - Cribbed straight from wikipedia: A technogeek in the mold of The Lone Gunmen, Abby is probably best known for her gothic style of dress 'to include tattoos) and happy-go-lucky attitude. Abby is seemingly fueled by 'Big Gulp' stylized caffeinated sodas, called Caf-Pow!, which are perpetually provided to her by Gibbs and other members of the team as a motivational tool. Abby is extremely well-versed in her field of study although often works in conjunction with Agent McGee. Rarely stumped by the evidentiary puzzles which Gibbs' team presents her, she has been shown to exhibit an almost religious zeal for the field of criminal forensics.
Why I like her? Obviously, I’m huge Abby fan but the reason I fell in love with her is because she’s the relationship touchstone for the team. She’s the little sister, the daughter, the sibling. Abby relates in a positive way to everyone on the team and does it while making no apologies about her oddness.
Ziva David - played by Cote de Pablo - Ziva is a Mossad agent currently working with NCIS. I hate this character with the fiery passion usually reserved for the soap scum in the shower or that guy who always sits next to me on the bus who smells like urine and beef jerky.
The show has been trying to soften up her character lately, giving her more jokes and vulnerabilities and I’m sure it’s working for some of the fans but not me. They lost me when they had her 'interrogate' an American citizen without anyone else present. And when I say 'interrogate' I mean torture. At least that’s what they implied and that just wigs me out. Ugh.
Downsides
Usually the biggest fans are the most critical, we just love to hate our shows. NCIS isn’t perfect and I’m well aware of the problems. It has a problem deciding what sort of show it wants to be, a drama or a comedy. It would probably manage bringing the funny better if the jokes didn’t usually resemble stuff that was churned out of a 6th grade locker room. There are some episodes that are almost ridiculous and others that are actually tense and dramatic. Because of the type of show it is, it tends to get preachy about world affairs.
A downside that’s not really a downside is the fact that while this show is in it’s fourth season, it has a pretty small fandom presence. I’m not sure of all the reasons but it can be hard to find good discussion groups and fanfic. Except for Ducky. You can find Ducky fic easily because the actor was also on 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E’ and those fans are crazy-go-nuts.
Why I watch
I’m a sucker for relationships, I watch Numb3rs just to see the family dynamic. NCIS’ best moments are when that dynamic is in play. Gibbs coaxes Abby to work with Caf-Pow! and hangs out with her in an elevator when she’s being stalked. Tony treats McGee like a little brother, teasing him one moment and sticking up for him when he’s in trouble. I watch for when the team hangs out, when they check up on each other, when they apologize, when they get worried or upset or grieve and they do it together.
Except for Ziva. She has no heart and she probably ate her family. And puppies. Seriously.
Where can I get me some NCIS?
NCIS is currently in its fourth season on CBS and it plays on Tuesday nights at 8 pm 'EST). You should watch! It’s up against American Idol and...um...apparently a lot of people watch that show. You can also buy previous seasons at the online retailer of your choice!
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Also, for West Wing fans, Gibbs = Simon, CJ Cregg's hottie mchotterson Secret Service Agent Sunshine who got shot in the Season 3 finale and there was crying and Jeff Buckley and oh Mark Harmon you are wonderful.
The end.
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I ... actually like Ziva more than Kate. I like the character better but most of all I like the fact that the introduction of Ziva and her general refusal to rise to Tony's juvenile antics seems to have helped grow the character of Tony from a boarderline ass at times to a more well rounded and responsible character.
Tony -IMHO- has gone from being a juvenile ass to charmingly boyish at times since Kate's death. It's as if he grew up loosing her and then add in Ziva's attitude in not giving him someone to bait, he's grown up a little more. I actually don't like watching the Kate episodes, not because I didn't like the character of Kate but because Tony could be such an asswipe at times and that just never sat right for me.
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I really do like the character development of Tony since Kate's death although I've been attributing that more to his reaction to her death and then being put in charge of the team.
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Tony's character growth has definitely been impressive, and I really love to watch his scenes with Abby and McGee (and any scene with Abby and Ducky is usually gold, if off-topic).
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And also, Abby is made of caffeine and awsome.
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I unilaterally adore everyone else, and I miss Kate. Although yeah, it's been great for Tony to grow up a bit-- combination of Kate-loss, and Gibbs-vacation, and other stuff, I think. It's been even cooler to see McGee slowly grow into himself. Tony may always call him Probie, but no one outside the department will ever get that impression.
And Abby is *love*, of course. I do so adore that ep where she's stalked, and Gibbs sits with her in the elevator.
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But, as has been noted elsewhere, I have a type. *g*
You also left out my beloved Director Jenny. Another strong female character who will rip your balls off. Verbally.
Director Jenny Shepard - played by Lauren Holly - She took over as Director of NCIS at the same time as Ziva joined up. She and Gibbs were lovers, in the past, and the inference is that she betrayed him when they were working together in Paris. Their current relationship is more colleagues, though they both probably wouldn't mind returning to the other side of things.
Jenny knows how to play the politics game, which is why she's in charge of the entire shebang and not Gibbs.
She also knows Ducky, from before. Apparently, she was involved in the little matter with the Frenchman he shoved off a cliff.
Why I like her? She's strong, intelligent, and doesn't back down from a fight. If the going gets tough, the woman gets her gun out of her desk. She tends to know when to let Gibbs have his head and when to (attempt) to rein him in--usually only for show, though.
Cote de Pablo
(Anonymous) 2007-01-29 05:48 am (UTC)(link)I was shocked to read such a terrible thing about my friend. One wiser than I has said, "when any individual puts another person down, it is intended to build themselves up due to a lack of self esteem."
With that considered, I feel really sadden for you.
In real life, Cote is a Kind, Warm, Caring and a Compassionate person that people are drawn to, she lights up the room. I do care very much for her and will defend her honor whenever I hear or read something as wretched as you said. She does have a heart, loves her family and cares deeply about her friends.
Ziva David/ Cote de Pablo
(Anonymous) 2007-01-29 06:19 am (UTC)(link)Cote de Pablo.