S13.E19: Reasonable Doubts

[MyAimIsTrue]

The NCIS team must ascertain who is lying, the wife or the mistress, after the women accuse each other of murdering a Navy Public Affairs officer. Also, Anthony DiNozzo, Sr. helps a homeless woman who believes he is her father.

[AimingforYoko]

When DiNozzo, Sr.'s little "project" with Susan first started, I expected the typical wacky Sr. adventures. But damn, if that ending didn't hit like a sledgehammer. Great job by Robert Wagner (and by whoever played Susan. I didn't recognize her.)

McGee's gonna pop the question, huh? What disaster will befall this wedding?

[NYGirl]

Wow...wow wow.  I was actually sobbing at the end.  I knew Robert Wagner is a good actor but he did such a good job there.  It always seems he's playing himself and doesn't have to act at all.  I just loved his storyline and I take back most of the times he's annoyed me on this show.

 

To the storyline.  After they polygraphs I knew that they collaborated and I kind of figured he killed himself.

[MyAimIsTrue]

Dammit, NCIS, I hate it when you make me cry.

I actually enjoyed the subplot with Senior more than the case of the week. Never thought I'd ever utter those words.

[marina to]

Was really nice seeing this side of Senior. Was also nice for Tony to see this side of Senior.

Was that a Chinese language Tony was learning? Don't know the difference between Mandarin and Cantonese. Or Japanese for that matter.

Enjoyed the case immensely. Can't help it. Love cases that have nothing to do with terrorism or national security.

[roomtorome]

I knew they were in it together right from the start - it was just too obvious (to me, anyway) 

 

I have always disliked the episodes with Sr. but this one was really wonderful and, for a change, such a heartwarming, though heartbreaking given her diagnosis, storyline.  

 

Had me teary at the end - capper to an emotional day all around.  The actress playing Susan was really very good in her brief role. 

 

I agree with above poster - nice that it wasn't to do with terrorism etc etc etc 

[secnarf]

As soon as Vance walked into the bullpen the first time (not sure what it was about him coming onscreen that triggered this!), I realized the two women were in it together, probably for money, so I was pretty bored with the COTW.

 

When I saw the description blurb prior to the episode, I was expecting the Senior plot to turn out very differently than it did, especially because with Senior's womanizing past (and present...) he could easily have a daughter he doesn't know about. But this was a really heartwarming storyline. I'm not entirely sure where they're going with it, or what it's purpose was beyond it being sweet, but I got the impression they are going somewhere with it.

[MDL]

 

Was really nice seeing this side of Senior. Was also nice for Tony to see this side of Senior.

I agree. At first, I thought it would be a "sleazy Sr.'s chickens come home to roost" subplot. So glad that it wasn't.

Now -will Tony's improving bond with Senior come into play as they write MW out ?

[pally]

I agree. At first, I thought it would be a "sleazy Sr.'s chickens come home to roost" subplot. So glad that it wasn't.

Now -will Tony's improving bond with Senior come into play as they write MW out ?

 

or will that on-line Chinese lesson?

[preeya]

That was different. However, I did call it that the two women being in cahoots right from the start.

The DeNozzo's played off each other very well as compassionate compadres.

[Runningwild]

Oh my gosh. I was practically bawling at the end. Fantastic acting by RJ! I knew the women were in cahoots early on. I was still interested in the case, but I was much more interested in Sr. and Jr.

[Raja]

To nit pick "She was an Army Corporal honorably discharged in 1986" probably not, there were very few Army Corporals in that time period as the Specialist 4 normally went straight to E5 Sergeant or was an acting Sergeant if she hadn't completed the primary NCO course or have time in grade yet

[UncleChuck]

 

To nit pick "She was an Army Corporal honorably discharged in 1986" probably not, there were very few Army Corporals in that time period as the Specialist 4 normally went straight to E5 Sergeant or was an acting Sergeant if she hadn't completed the primary NCO course or have time in grade yet

I don't know about 1986, but in 1970 there were plenty of Corporals.  Specialist Four was the rank usually carried in non-combat roles, but in an actual fighting platoon, the Corporal was still used.  Corporal promoted to Sergeant and Spec 4 promoted (usually to Spec 5).  However, my suspicion was that back in the 80s any woman would have earned the Spec 4 rank as a non-combat troop.

[Linderhill]

my nitpick would be the gross violation committed by Abby in running the prints for personal reasons.  The woman could get fired for that.  I let slide the fact that this federal agency lets this civilian wander at will thru out the facility, including an area with ongoing case evidence being processed, but running someone's prints, just no.

 

I also was annoyed that Abby implied annoyance to McGee over the fact that she had all of these processes going at once for all of these pieces of evidence.  Woman, that is why, in the real world, there would be separate forensic scientists processing those pieces of evidence.  

 

Sorry, the homeless woman's story was touching but these things really bugged me.

[zivadanielle]

I did not see the credits (and have not checked IMDB yet) but I am pretty sure Susan was Melora Walter(s??)--who was (IMO) superb in Boogie Nights and Magnolia.  I think she was in Big Love too.  

 

The Senior story made me weepy as well.  Did not care for the COTW. 

Edited March 23, 2016 by zivadanielle

[Clanstarling]

I was more annoyed by the total handwaving of HIPPA laws than Abby running the prints. Family members can't get medical information without express consent from the patient, much less strangers from off the street.

I figured the two women were in cahoots from the get go, but was wrong about the details. Still, I enjoyed watching them figure out how to figure it out.

Since she's happily multi-tasked before, I was puzzled by Abby's crankiness and thought there was going to be some additional factor that would explain it.

Nevertheless, the final scene with RJ was gold.

Edited March 23, 2016 by clanstarling

[basiltherat]

Congratulations, Show, on surprising us with the warm-hearted Senior plot. I did not see a warm and fuzzy ending coming from the previews they let out. I knew Senior was softening when he gave the homeless dude a pair of his shoes!

However, not at all surprised by the Two Women plot -- I knew they were in cohoots but didn't see the twist that the guy committed suicide.

[MyAimIsTrue]

I did not see the credits (and have not checked IMDB yet) but I am pretty sure Susan was Melora Walter(s??)--who was (IMO) superb in Boogie Nights and Magnolia.  I think she was in Big Love too.  

 

The Senior story made me weepy as well.  Did not care for the COTW. 

 

I thought it was Melora Walters at first glance but then decided it wasn't her.  I just looked it up and you're right! 

[Driad]

Annoyed that Abby complained about her work load. She has been offered, and, given, assistants. Surely she would be allowed to choose and train an assistant. But she would rather complain.

Many aspects of the Abby situation are unrealistic. If she works only for Team Gibbs, there are other techs whoo could help each other when things get busy. If she works for more than one team, there should be other agents there asking her for analyses. Not getting into her age.

[laredhead]

I think the Chinese language lessons were a clue as to what is going to happen with Tony.

[basiltherat]

But, but, but . . . Abby can do anything! Because she is Abby /{sarcasm}

[pally]

I was more annoyed by the total handwaving of HIPPA laws than Abby running the prints. Family members can't get medical information without express consent from the patient, much less strangers from off the street.

 

Of course, this is the show that wanted us to believe a foreign national would be allowed to work in a government law enforcement agency.  And not only work but carry a gun, makes arrests, and have access to top secret information and agencies.   Once you've done that violating a few HIPPA laws and doing personal business with company assets is nothing.

I will admit I liked this version of Mr D.   especially that last scene where we all knew he was actuallyy talking to Tony.

[Clanstarling]

Of course, this is the show that wanted us to believe a foreign national would be allowed to work in a government law enforcement agency.  And not only work but carry a gun, makes arrests, and have access to top secret information and agencies.   Once you've done that violating a few HIPPA laws and doing personal business with company assets is nothing.

I will admit I liked this version of Mr D.   especially that last scene where we all knew he was actuallyy talking to Tony.

It bugged me more than usual because I have actual experience with the HIPPA laws, in something like that situation - only with family. Whereas, I have no experience with government law enforcement (but yeah, the foreign national bit bugged me too).

[illdoc]

The moment I saw that the victim was shot in the right temple, I knew (a) it was suicide (b) the two women were in it together to cover it up and © that they did it to collect insurance due to a "no suicide" clause. There was nothing about the MOTW that I didn't figure out within the first 10 minutes. You're slipping, NCIS!! On the plus side, I loved the Sr. story!

[immortalfrieza]

I also was annoyed that Abby implied annoyance to McGee over the fact that she had all of these processes going at once for all of these pieces of evidence.  Woman, that is why, in the real world, there would be separate forensic scientists processing those pieces of evidence. 

 

 

Since she's happily multi-tasked before, I was puzzled by Abby's crankiness and thought there was going to be some additional factor that would explain it.

It was really weird. She does all the forensic work every episode solo including side stuff like looking up the fingerprints like she did this episode not only without complaint but with total glee, but THIS time she suddenly starts to whine about it? I get Abby not having an assistant, as much as I like the character I wouldn't be lining up to work with Abby either nor after her experience with her last assistant I can't blame her for being very reluctant to hire one, but she still has no right to complain about her workload.

Edited March 24, 2016 by immortalfrieza

[secnarf]

I was more annoyed by the total handwaving of HIPPA laws than Abby running the prints. Family members can't get medical information without express consent from the patient, much less strangers from off the street.

I was annoyed by this too, and then assumed that Susan would have given permission since she thought Senior was her father.

I would have liked for them to show this, though - since everybody knows the rules regarding sharing medical information, it just seemed like they were implying that because she's homeless and not totally in her right mind, privacy rules don't apply to her.

[pennben]

What a lovely sendoff for Tony's father (I'm assuming he won't be around after Tony leaves).  Just wonderful throughout the episode by Robert Wagner, and what a lovely final scene. 

 

Is anyone else a bit worried that they might have him die as the impetus for Tony to shake things up and finally leave the team?

Edited March 25, 2016 by pennben

[Clanstarling]

What a lovely sendoff for Tony's father (I'm assuming he won't be around after Tony leaves).  Just wonderful throughout the episode by Robert Wagner, and what a lovely final scene. 

 

Is anyone else a bit worried that they might have him die as the impetus for Tony to shake things up and finally leave the team?

Now I am.

Edited March 25, 2016 by clanstarling

[pennben]

Sorry!  An alternative reading of the episode is that perhaps now that Tony has his relationship with his father back and fully repaired, he no longer needs a father figure in Gibbs, so he is finally able to break away from the team and move on.

Edited March 25, 2016 by pennben

[GHScorpiosRule]

OMG, Y'all! After 13 years, Tony didn't call Gibbs "Boss" but called him..."Gibbs!"

 

He hasn't referred to him by his name since the backdoor pilot on JAG.

 

I too, was a weepy mess at the end.

 

Since Glasberg has stated that he's a fan of Hart to Hart, he didn't rebuff the idea of bringing on Stephanie Powers, maybe, sometime next season, so I hope that means we'll see Robert Wagner when that happens!

Edited March 25, 2016 by GHScorpiosRule

[pally]

What a lovely sendoff for Tony's father (I'm assuming he won't be around after Tony leaves).  Just wonderful throughout the episode by Robert Wagner, and what a lovely final scene. 

 

Is anyone else a bit worried that they might have him die as the impetus for Tony to shake things up and finally leave the team?

When Micheal Weatherly was on The Talk for the 300th episode, he implied they were currently filming with Robert Wagner so we may be seeing him again this season.

[Clanstarling]

Sorry!  An alternative reading of the episode is that perhaps now that Tony has his relationship with his father back and fully repaired, he no longer needs a father figure in Gibbs, so he is finally able to break away from the team and move on.

Ah, that's sweet of you to offer a more positive interpretation. Still, Senior's death spurring Junior on to other things is a pretty good interpretation. I'll be keeping it in mind.

[pennben]

Why thank you!  I'm usually thought of as cranky in my world:)  Anyway, I wasn't just trying to be nice, that really could be a jumping off point.  Perhaps Senior meets the perfect woman (oh, say, someone who looks like Stephanie Powers), and decides to move away from DC again.  That could be Tony's cue to move as well, all is well in his family and with the team, so he's free to go now. Honestly, I'd prefer that to dead Senior. But I can still see dead Senior as a possibility.

Edited March 25, 2016 by pennben

[Raja]

 

 

Since Glasberg has stated that he's a fan of Hart to Hart, he didn't rebuff the idea of bringing on Stephanie Kramer, maybe, sometime next season, so I hope that means we'll see Robert Wagner when that happens!

You meant Powers, Stepfanie Kramer was Sgt. Dee Dee McCall on Hunter

[GHScorpiosRule]

You meant Powers, Stepfanie Kramer was Sgt. Dee Dee McCall on Hunter

 

D'OH! Yes, I mean Powers! I don't know how that happened! But I went back and fixed it!

[Chaos Theory]

What I do like about this show is that it does a pretty good job with over arching story lines like Tony and his father. From beginning to now it has made sense and been logical and sweet watching them reconnect. Yes the main storyline was kind of predicable. I had most of it figured out from the get go. The suicide thing was the only surprise for me but then that made sense considering the fact that two women.

[Runningwild]

Sorry! An alternative reading of the episode is that perhaps now that Tony has his relationship with his father back and fully repaired, he no longer needs a father figure in Gibbs, so he is finally able to break away from the team and move on.

I like that much better than Sr. dying.

Edited March 26, 2016 by Runningwild

[rungirl911]

Disclaimer: I am five months pregnant but I was a sobbing MESS by the end of this episode -- and may be tearing up REMEMBERING the dang thing!  (Also sobbed during the past two NCIS LA's i have been watching.  Just can't pull it together!).

 

Loved the Jr/Sr interactions.  

 

I figured the women were in cahoots from the beginning as well but not the suicide. I just figured they each shot the body once; not knowing which one was the kill shot was how they "passed" the poly.  

[Julia]

Don't feel bad, rungirl911. I spent most of a day around that stage dissolved in tears because Blankie from the Brave Little Toaster was sad when everyone was being mean to him.

[catray]

I'm way behind but I do have some thoughts. This was a pretty good episode. I was getting a "Strangers on the Train" vibe from the wife and mistress, so I figured they had colluded to murder the husband; not that he had committed suicide.

I have to roll my eyes whenever Abby complains about too much work. She'll refuse to have an assistant (which after Chip, I totally get)... but seriously girl, you can't complain if you won't accept help.

Anyway, this is probably the first episode where I truly loved Senior. The end had me tearing up-- I feel like the Senior we first saw in this series would have walked away (but it's been a long time since I watched the first episode he showed up in, so I could be misremembering) but instead, he stayed and did right by that poor woman and gave her the love, forgiveness, and acceptance she needed in the end.

Also, I am thrilled that McGee is ring shopping! Delilah's already been paralyzed, so can they at least have a happy ending?

[Nena]

Still playing catchup myself.  Nice to see Wagner getting more dimension, even if they did wait til the 11th hour to get around to it.  Regarding the Abby complaint, I think that was supposed to be more about Jimmy.  The rest of the team takes a "call me when you know something" approach, acts surprised when she gets things done faster, and doesn't hover around waiting on answers.  I think this was just one more case of him not reading the room correctly.