# Ncis

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [November 23, 2005, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410 "2005-11-23T13:21:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 17\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/21 "2005-11-23T17:45:56Z")

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:wally **Mr. Moto** , NCIS makes a huge point of not being about the Navy. The NCIS agents are civilians, and therefore don’t do anything the Navy way. Whether they do things the NCIS way is debatable, although [David Brant](http://www.ncis.navy.mil/about/leadership/director.cfm), the current director of NCIS, had a cameo in last night’s episode. He played the guy Gibbs spoke to in passing about retiring, and was referred to by his real name.

I am over thirty, and have been a huge fan of NCIS since it began, but I am a little bewildered by its sudden surge in popularity this year (it was fifth in the overall ratings last week). I was speculating about the addition of more women to the cast – that’s what made Law & Order take off after a slow start. Mark Harmon was good eye-candy for female viewers, but maybe it took more than the sometimes confusing cases to bring in the men. I do think that’s it a quality, enjoyable show, and I would rather see it doing well than a lot of the other dreck on T.V.

I’ve also been a fan of (producer) Don Bellisario forever, and I love all the little references he throws in – last night’s discussion about Ted Bundy with the closeups of Mark Harmon, and DiNozzo’s obsession with Magnum, for example.

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**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/22 "2005-11-23T17:46:30Z")

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Because Tony hadn’t met him – he’d met creepy coroner guy, but it turns out it was creepy lab guy (“Chip”), who’d effed up, which no one knew at the time.

I think.

As I said, plausibility isn’t why I watch this show…

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**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/23 "2005-11-23T17:47:22Z")

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I previewed and I swear I that putz smilie was not there! I certainly intended no insult to **Mr. Moto**. :smack:

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**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/24 "2005-11-23T17:47:39Z")

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I like the show, but at the moment, I’m favoring _Bones_. But once reruns get started, I’ll switch back.

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**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/25 "2005-11-23T17:47:54Z")

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> [@SpoilerVirgin](#):
>
> I’ve also been a fan of (producer) Don Bellisario forever, and I love all the little references he throws in – last night’s discussion about Ted Bundy with the closeups of Mark Harmon…

Didn’t he (MH) play him (TB) in a TV movie a bunch of years ago?

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**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/26 "2005-11-23T18:02:03Z")

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> [@twickster](#):
>
> Didn’t he (MH) play him (TB) in a TV movie a bunch of years ago?

[Yup](http://imdb.com/title/tt0090925/).

Damn, I’m good.

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**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/27 "2005-11-23T18:17:51Z")

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> [@SpoilerVirgin](#):
>
> **Mr. Moto** , NCIS makes a huge point of not being about the Navy. The NCIS agents are civilians, and therefore don’t do anything the Navy way. Whether they do things the NCIS way is debatable, although [David Brant](http://www.ncis.navy.mil/about/leadership/director.cfm), the current director of NCIS, had a cameo in last night’s episode. He played the guy Gibbs spoke to in passing about retiring, and was referred to by his real name.

Gee, the fact that they’re the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and that they’re investigating crimes committed by or upon sailors and Marines - sounds like the Navy way to me. Even if they are civilians. Hell, I’m a civilian contractor, and I work with the Navy every single day.

Not to mention the fact that I was briefed often by NCIS as a sailor, once was a witness in an NCIS investigation, and today have NCIS agents working right in my building. NCIS is hardly an unknown entity to me.

And that show doesn’t resemble reality. Not that it has too, mind, but I don’t have to watch either.

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**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/28 "2005-11-23T19:22:36Z")

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My mom loves that show and is 63 years old. She likes the goth chick, I think partly because I was a goth through high school, and she likes seeing the portrayal of a goth as being very smart. (I guess she had to deal with people who thought I was an academic loser based solely on my appearance, and feels vindicated that the stereotype is being broken by that character.)

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**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/29 "2005-11-23T19:41:09Z")

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I watch it. Whether I’m in the desired demographic depends on whether it is defined as under 30 (no) or 18-34 (yes). I usually watch it with my father, who obviously is not in the desired demographic. I started watching because I used to watch JAG and saw the spin-off/creation/premiere of NCIS.

I’d been thinking about starting a thread about the new female characters (and/or new characters in general- thus including creepy lab guy) but hadn’t gotten there yet. I like Ziva, although I’ve worried at times about whether they will continue to strike a good balance between Israeli agent/superwoman and new person on the team.

One of my favorite moments recently was when Gibbs and that other guy (the one with the FBI) went to “the conference room” (elevator) acting hostile, talked peaceably inside, and walked out acting hostile again to explain their bargain.

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**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/30 "2005-11-23T19:42:52Z")

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> [@Ghanima](#):
>
> She likes the goth chick, I think partly because I was a goth through high school, and she likes seeing the portrayal of a goth as being very smart.

I recently found out that she’s 38 years old. That blew my mind. I thought she was about 10 years younger. Those goths are well-preserved. It must be the avoidance of sunlight. 😉

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**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/31 "2005-11-23T21:50:59Z")

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Yes, Cote de Pablo is my father’s ex-student. Pretty cool, I must say!

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**Author:** ![want2know](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@want2know](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/want2know)\
**Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/32 "2005-11-23T21:52:14Z")

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I’m 48, and I love the show. The characters are more likable than any of the CSI shows (BTW, I watch them too); the science isn’t great, but each episode is enjoyable in its own way.

TONY–I’ve always been a fan of smart-ass characters, and he tops them all! I think Ziva is more than a match for him (unlike Kate, who he always seemed to get the best of).

MCGEE–Love the way he’s getting more assertive toward Denozzo with each episode.

ZIVA–Good addition to the show; last week was her best so far.

ABBY–Funny, sexy AND smart–AND tattooed! One of the best characters currently on TV!

DUCKIE–As a fan of “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” from way back, it’s great to see David McCallum again! Best “medical examiner” character in a sizable but mediocre field.

Ansd finally, GIBBS–Let me say from the outset that I have always HATED Mark Harmon. To me, he will always be the man who killed “St Elsewhere” (with the AIDS storyline) and “Chicago Hope”. Was I shocked when I actually found that I like this character! Gibbs is one of the few characters in TV history who interacts well with every other character on the show (including his scenes with Fornell, the FBI guy).

A well put-together ensemble cast can make up for most of a series’ shortfalls–IMHO, this is one of the best.

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**Author:** ![roshia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6bbea6/32.png) [@roshia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roshia)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/33 "2005-11-24T14:17:30Z")

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I’m eighteen. I watch it sometimes.

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**Author:** ![jimmmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@jimmmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmmy)\
**Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/34 "2005-11-24T15:50:20Z")

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It is cartoon-ey but I tend watch - really it is the only regular series that surprised me in past 6 months.

A. On summer re-runs I caught [spolier]Kate’s[/spoiler] death – I had no idea she was leaving the show. The shows no.2 or 3 co-star in a regular show being killed never, ever occured to me.

B. That hooked me and show I watched the early shows this season and saw the [spoiler]geek lab tech[/spolier] enough that he was a minor recognizable character and yet they use him in the last 5 minutes to wrap up the episode ! They used him to set that up in at least a 3 episode arc – that was unforessen by me … and they got me again. I like that kind of story blindsiding (when it is “fair” and that is how I took these two)

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**Author:** ![Lynne\_kilii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lynne\_kilii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynne_kilii)\
**Post date:** [November 25, 2005, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/35 "2005-11-25T00:17:34Z")

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My roommate and I love it. We watch it every week. We’re 20 year old girls. I never even thought that this would have an “older” audience - with Tony’s banter and Abby- oh my favorite Abby… She’s too funny.

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**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/36 "2005-11-26T03:41:56Z")

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I’m 34, and have seen every episode of _NCIS_ since its premiere (when the name was the horribly redundant _Navy: NCIS_). I started watching it because of Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly, and almost didn’t make it past the first few episodes because I didn’t like the dialogue, but now I’m glad I hung in there – and I have a major crush on McGee. 😉

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Abby kinda gets on my nerves. I don’t actively dislike the character or anything, but I find that the whole “hyper goth Pollyanna” thing wears thin and bugs me more than any of the other characters’ quirks.

I’m soooo glad they got rid of Chip!

> [@Mr. Moto](#):
>
> There certainly is such a thing as dramatic license, but a license doesn’t give you the right to do whatever the hell you want to do, IMHO.

Funny, I tend to think that’s _exactly_ what it does. 🙂

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**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\
**Post date:** [November 26, 2005, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ncis/332410/37 "2005-11-26T14:47:03Z")

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I’m 50, and I started watching last season. NCSI is an ensemble show, and when they are done right, it’s always gold.

All the good looking men and women don’t hurt either (though I would like to know exactly how Abby overpowered Chip last week. Okay, on a show when a man tied to a chair that’s tied to another chair can overpower someone with a gun isn’t to be taken seriously anyways).

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