So, the long-awaited (well, at least in USA) final part of the epic four-parter arrives. Does it deliver the goods? Well, yes, but not without some problems.
The first part was about Gibbs and Abby, the second about Gibbs and Ms. Hart, and the third about Gibbs and Vance. Season 7's cliffhanger ending might reveal what this one is about. Also, considering what the plot of the arc is about, the choice is appropriate.
It's rather puzzling why the writers opted for time between the seasons to pass within the series in sync with the real world (after the resolution to the cliffhanger), since they then need to come up with contrived stories outlining what each character has been doing for the past *four* months (the time elapsed is actually stated in one scene). This is a distracting fault that eats up too much of the running time in what is an otherwise excellent episode and a fine conclusion to the arc, with a poetic twist that echoes an old adage. Also, the climax is a bit too convenient a coincidence in terms of timing - unless one believes it was decreed by fate. But wasn't there a specific hit TV show about fate already?
Also, since this is the *conclusion* to an arc, it should by definition concentrate on climaxing the arc, not haphazardly sow seeds for future episodes. Couldn't that have waited until the second episode of Season 8? This is supposed to be the BIG finale. It almost seems the show-runners felt the need to bait the audience, as if they feared that with the arc coming to an end, part of the audience would only stick around if new questions were raised. This speaks of either poor judgment or lack of confidence. A shame - what could have been a 9/10, becomes "only" an 8/10.
As an afterthought, since the series has already reached its 8th year, one really has to wonder, what is Pauley Perrette's secret? She must be the envy of many, many actresses. Not only does it seem that she hasn't aged at all in 7 seasons, but in real life, she was actually 41 when this was filmed! Maybe the fact that Abby, The World's Perkiest Goth, sleeps in a coffin has something to do about it...
While on the Women of NCIS, it is only fair to mention Cote de Pablo as well. Over the five seasons she's been in the show, some people have complained that the character of Ziva is an unfavorable portrayal of a non-native American. Are the other characters really superior to hers? Not really, when you start comparing them. Her character has actually developed the most over the seasons! Regardless of the characterization of Ziva, Cote de Pablo is of rare, both radiant yet soothing beauty. The show-runners were incredibly lucky when they found her to join Pauley Perrette. Together, they form perhaps the most formidable double-team in American TV today when it comes to pulling in male viewers for a TV show.
The first part was about Gibbs and Abby, the second about Gibbs and Ms. Hart, and the third about Gibbs and Vance. Season 7's cliffhanger ending might reveal what this one is about. Also, considering what the plot of the arc is about, the choice is appropriate.
It's rather puzzling why the writers opted for time between the seasons to pass within the series in sync with the real world (after the resolution to the cliffhanger), since they then need to come up with contrived stories outlining what each character has been doing for the past *four* months (the time elapsed is actually stated in one scene). This is a distracting fault that eats up too much of the running time in what is an otherwise excellent episode and a fine conclusion to the arc, with a poetic twist that echoes an old adage. Also, the climax is a bit too convenient a coincidence in terms of timing - unless one believes it was decreed by fate. But wasn't there a specific hit TV show about fate already?
Also, since this is the *conclusion* to an arc, it should by definition concentrate on climaxing the arc, not haphazardly sow seeds for future episodes. Couldn't that have waited until the second episode of Season 8? This is supposed to be the BIG finale. It almost seems the show-runners felt the need to bait the audience, as if they feared that with the arc coming to an end, part of the audience would only stick around if new questions were raised. This speaks of either poor judgment or lack of confidence. A shame - what could have been a 9/10, becomes "only" an 8/10.
As an afterthought, since the series has already reached its 8th year, one really has to wonder, what is Pauley Perrette's secret? She must be the envy of many, many actresses. Not only does it seem that she hasn't aged at all in 7 seasons, but in real life, she was actually 41 when this was filmed! Maybe the fact that Abby, The World's Perkiest Goth, sleeps in a coffin has something to do about it...
While on the Women of NCIS, it is only fair to mention Cote de Pablo as well. Over the five seasons she's been in the show, some people have complained that the character of Ziva is an unfavorable portrayal of a non-native American. Are the other characters really superior to hers? Not really, when you start comparing them. Her character has actually developed the most over the seasons! Regardless of the characterization of Ziva, Cote de Pablo is of rare, both radiant yet soothing beauty. The show-runners were incredibly lucky when they found her to join Pauley Perrette. Together, they form perhaps the most formidable double-team in American TV today when it comes to pulling in male viewers for a TV show.