For the whole of Season X, since this episode was spoiled, I've been dreading it. I honestly can not stand the Mossad story lines despite the fact that I like Michael Nouri as Eli David. So it was with great trepidation that I let the episode DVR and then sat down to watch the next day. I ended up being very glad I did but not for the reasons that had some fans talking all over the world wide web.
First the good - love Eli's reappearance and his seemingly heartfelt attitude regarding his daughter. Also enjoyed seeing his 'friend' from Iran. Jackie Vance has always been a favorite. She's pretty much the only female character who is strong, good and not messed with in canon - well until tonight anyway. Love also the Jackie/Leon relationship & again we saw the good in the Vance/Gibbs relationship. Rocky Carroll did such a wonderful job breaking all of our hearts with his grief at the end. My heart shattered multiple times from when we saw him in the kitchen until he went past Gibbs.
Now the not so good - The crime of the week was so unnecessary & led to a HUGE plot hole when the writer decided to make Eli the killer without explaining Ducky's line of the body being dead for more than a day. Ziva's behavior towards her father was abysmal & she seemed to have forgotten that he called her in the 10x01. The elevator scene with Gibbs made me laugh considering how much she has lied in the past and even lied in the episode. From point of arrival at Vance's house until the end scene, I found myself alternately rolling my eyes and cringing in disgust at the way the character was written. Her 'scream/wail' of grief did not ring true given how she treated her father in the episode & how she turned to give chase instead of checking on the victims.
Overall the episode is worth watching but not for the reasons stated by some. Michael Nouri and Rocky Carroll are magnificent in their range and ability to portray so much when saying very little.
First the good - love Eli's reappearance and his seemingly heartfelt attitude regarding his daughter. Also enjoyed seeing his 'friend' from Iran. Jackie Vance has always been a favorite. She's pretty much the only female character who is strong, good and not messed with in canon - well until tonight anyway. Love also the Jackie/Leon relationship & again we saw the good in the Vance/Gibbs relationship. Rocky Carroll did such a wonderful job breaking all of our hearts with his grief at the end. My heart shattered multiple times from when we saw him in the kitchen until he went past Gibbs.
Now the not so good - The crime of the week was so unnecessary & led to a HUGE plot hole when the writer decided to make Eli the killer without explaining Ducky's line of the body being dead for more than a day. Ziva's behavior towards her father was abysmal & she seemed to have forgotten that he called her in the 10x01. The elevator scene with Gibbs made me laugh considering how much she has lied in the past and even lied in the episode. From point of arrival at Vance's house until the end scene, I found myself alternately rolling my eyes and cringing in disgust at the way the character was written. Her 'scream/wail' of grief did not ring true given how she treated her father in the episode & how she turned to give chase instead of checking on the victims.
Overall the episode is worth watching but not for the reasons stated by some. Michael Nouri and Rocky Carroll are magnificent in their range and ability to portray so much when saying very little.