S15.E23: Fallout

[MyAimIsTrue]

Quote

While Gibbs attends the memorial service for a friend who was lost at sea, he discovers that the deceased, Navy Captain Phillip Brooks, has been hiding in a fallout shelter after his boat was attacked and he swam to shore.

[Katy M]

I'm only going to complain about two things.

1. Phil said he called NCIS and left a message with Reeves 6 days ago. I assumed I misheard and he must have meant 6 weeks (although that's a long time to hide out in your basement).  But, Ellie said she was at a coffee shop with Reeves last week.  So, that means in less than 6 days Reeves and Abby get shot.  Abby's in a coma or something for at least a few hours. Wake sup.  Gets discharged from the hospital. Solves a crime and threatens a murderer.  Says goodbye to everybody.  Packs her bags.  And flies to London. She had one busy week.

2. I love Jimmy. But, he's a medical examiner.  Not an undercover agent.  There is nothing about him that screams he could handle that.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you just go to the golf club and go to the bar and have a drink. You don't actually have to play golf, do you?  Nobody's going to notice if you were out playing earlier.  

[stonehaven]

I only watched tonight to see how the team reacted....it feels different....like a cloud has been lifted...and Gibbs was down in the lab! The barking dog made another cameo...

[enoughcats]

8 minutes ago, stonehaven said:

The barking dog made another cameo...

I also caught that at the very beginning of the episode.  

How did the guy living in the bomb shelter manage to throw the exterior handle to closed, the hand that Jethro had to flip down?

I got this really bad feeling that we're about to see the last of McGee.

[Ohmo]

7 minutes ago, stonehaven said:

and Gibbs was down in the lab!

Yup...noticeable wasn't it?  I like Kasie, and it will take her a bit to find her groove, but I'm good with that.  I liked Jimmy golfing, but maybe that's because I like watching golf.  I also enjoyed seeing the boat.  It's always in the basement, but this time boats were central to the story.

Phil could be Fornell's brother.  The actor's appearance kept reminding me of Joe Spano,

[secnarf]

5 minutes ago, Ohmo said:

Phil could be Fornell's brother.  The actor's appearance kept reminding me of Joe Spano,

For me it wasn't the appearance so much as the voice! Every time I looked away from the TV, I would think it was Fornell. They also wrote the character to be similar to Fornell.

[MDL]

They didn't waste any time getting Gibbs back in the lab with Kasie, and asking her what her favorite "work drink" was.

A cheap shot at PP, or trying to get things back to "normal"?

[JessDVD]

8 minutes ago, MDL said:

They didn't waste any time getting Gibbs back in the lab with Kasie, and asking her what her favorite "work drink" was.

"Rum and coke"

I hate these transition episodes where everyone stares longingly at the empty chair but at least it's over and wasn't too sorrowful.

Palmer playing golf was entertaining viewing, if unrealistic.

I'm feeling like someone else is leaving but not sure who.

I hope they tone Kasie down a notch soon and fortunately they usually do.

[laredhead]

I was not looking forward to watching this episode after last week, but I found myself enjoying it quite a bit.  The build up they gave about Abby leaving was far more than the actual episodes themselves, IMO.  I liked the twist ending with Phil's wife being the one having the affair.

Yes, the fact that Gibbs visited the lab for the first time all season seemed to be an announcement that the show was going to try to get back some of the old vibe.  Kasie is quirky in her own way, and I liked her better in this episode than the first one she was in earlier in the season.      

[mythoughtis]

Kasie was better this time. I liked that she had her own ways in the lab. However Gibbs in the lab asking her favorite drink... way too soon. Cheap shot 

Edited May 16, 2018 by mythoughtis

[Sharpie66]

I hand-waved Jimmy’s going undercover, because it was pretty obvious that it was just to show off Brian Dietzen’s golfing skills. Since none of the other regulars seem to share that hobby, it was probably the only way to have him play as Jimmy.

[Ohmo]

22 minutes ago, Sharpie66 said:

I hand-waved Jimmy’s going undercover, because it was pretty obvious that it was just to show off Brian Dietzen’s golfing skills. Since none of the other regulars seem to share that hobby, it was probably the only way to have him play as Jimmy.

I didn't know that Brian Dietzen HAD golfing skills, so I thought it was an amusing revelation.

[shrewd.buddha]

11 hours ago, MDL said:

A cheap shot at PP, or trying to get things back to "normal"?

It was odd having Gibbs immediately back in the lab. I almost got a vibe of "ding dong, the witch is dead." 

And, was the previous episode that introduced Kasie used as a way to get Abby's blessing of the new character in the lab? Wonder if everyone knew they were setting the stage for a replacement at the time? I was expecting a lot of guest stars as temporary lab techs.
Usually job vacancies are handled with postings, applications, interviews, etc., ..but since this is the fictional NCIS, run by only around six people, we just skip to the parts where the new character's quirks are revealed - apparently she will be an astronaut nerd. 

This week's case did not seem to be resolved very cleanly. They never even bothered to identify the actual killer of the Coast Guard agent. How much did the wife know? Was the wife an accomplice or was she being conned? 

Edited May 16, 2018 by shrewd.buddha

[Katy M]

11 minutes ago, shrewd.buddha said:

It was odd having Gibbs immediately back in the lab. I almost got a vibe of "ding dong, the witch is dead." 

And, was the previous episode that introduced Kasie used as a way to get Abby's blessing of the new character in the lab? Wonder if everyone knew they were setting the stage for a replacement at the time? I was expecting a lot of guest stars as temporary lab techs.
Usually job vacancies are handled with postings, applications, interviews, etc., ..but since this is the fictional NCIS, run by only around six people, we just skip to the parts where the new character's quirks are revealed - apparently she will be an astronaut nerd. 

This week's case did not seem to be resolved very cleanly. They never even bothered to identify the actual killer of the Coast Guard agent. How much did the wife know? Was the wife an accomplice or was she being conned? 

They did say she was a temp.  She'll prob end up being permanent.  Considering the fact that we were discussing her being Abby's replacement after her first epi, I'm sure it at least occurred to the rest of the cast, even if they didn't know for sure.  But, they probably did, as the actress would need to be locked in.

This will probably be one of those cases that comes back and it turns out someone else killed the agent. Or that the wife did it. 

[TheGreenWave]

1 hour ago, shrewd.buddha said:

It was odd having Gibbs immediately back in the lab. I almost got a vibe of "ding dong, the witch is dead." 

I thought it felt icky too.  Also, I noticed that Gibbs definitely had more dialogue this episode (besides just grunting or flashing a look-of-death at someone or having Jack basically speak for him) and almost all of it really took place in the lab with Kasie. 

[Ohmo]

11 minutes ago, TheGreenWave said:

Also, I noticed that Gibbs definitely had more dialogue this episode (besides just grunting or flashing a look-of-death at someone or having Jack basically speak for him) and almost all of it really took place in the lab with Kasie. 

I think it was an effort to establish her character, which makes sense.  Gibbs and McGee are the remaining characters that really have significant standing in the cast.  Ducky does too, but DMc is working an abbreviated schedule these days.  Both Gibbs and McGee spent time with Kasie in the lab, and I took it as a way for the long-standing characters to anchor a new character to one of the show's most recognized sets.

Edited May 16, 2018 by Ohmo

[HipOldBat]

I find Kasie totally annoying.  It's not that I don't think there could ever be a replacement for the Abby character, it's that Kasie is hyper and doesn't seem to care why the rest of the team is subdued.  

[TheGreenWave]

2 minutes ago, Ohmo said:

I think it was an effort to establish her character, which makes sense.  Gibbs and McGee are the remaining characters that really have significant standing in the cast.  Ducky does too, but DMc is working an abbreviated schedule these days.  Both Gibbs and McGee spent time with Kasie in the lab, and I took it as a way for the long-standing characters to anchor a new character to one of the show's most recognized sets.

I definitely agree with that (establishing new characters).  It was just that I had forgotten what Mark's voice sounded like speaking actual dialogue!  :-) 

[llewis823]

I thought Bishop seemed like someone who was in love with someone over Reeves' death. Did I miss something while he was still alive?

[Sharpie66]

I like Kasie! I will like her more if the writers give her childhood heroines like Mae Jemison.

Edited May 16, 2018 by Sharpie66

[JessDVD]

4 minutes ago, llewis823 said:

I thought Bishop seemed like someone who was in love with someone over Reeves' death. Did I miss something while he was still alive?

Yes, I thought so too. She acted like they were all besties which I don't recall ever being a thing on the show. Plus, if they actually were besties, wouldn't she have taken a selfie of the two of them on her own phone? And when did they vacation in Ireland? Is this some extended season I forgot to watch?

[MissLucas]

18 minutes ago, JessDVD said:

And when did they vacation in Ireland? Is this some extended season I forgot to watch?

I remember talk about a vacation in Scotland - not sure which episode but I think it was this season.

[Ohmo]

2 hours ago, HipOldBat said:

I find Kasie totally annoying.  It's not that I don't think there could ever be a replacement for the Abby character, it's that Kasie is hyper and doesn't seem to care why the rest of the team is subdued.  

I think "annoying" is an intentional prerequisite across the franchise.  Abby was certainly like that at times, and I'd say the same about Eric in LA and Sebastian in NO.  I don't think "annoying 24/7" is what the franchise is going for, but I do think "annoying" is part of the equation for these types of specialist characters.  Remember the recurring character played by Susan Kelechi (sp) Watson?  The one who was a germaphobe?  Same idea.

11 minutes ago, MissLucas said:

I remember talk about a vacation in Scotland - not sure which episode but I think it was this season.

I have a similar recollection.  Either this season or late last season.

[pcta]

Kasie is horrible.  We lost Clayton and got her?  I now skew too old for NCIS - nothing here for me any more

[preeya]

7 hours ago, Ohmo said:

I think "annoying" is an intentional prerequisite across the franchise.  Abby was certainly like that at times, and I'd say the same about Eric in LA and Sebastian in NO.  I don't think "annoying 24/7" is what the franchise is going for, but I do think "annoying" is part of the equation for these types of specialist characters.  Remember the recurring character played by Susan Kelechi (sp) Watson?  The one who was a germaphobe?  Same idea.

And the most annoying forensic specialist of them all was the guy on CSI, David Hodges played by Wallace Langham.

[ForReal]

I like Kasie. I liked that she referenced Abby, and I liked that she reminded them all of why they became agents in the first place -- to make a difference. It was refreshing.

I knew the wife was involved as soon as Gibbs found the husband and he didn't seem all that concerned about her thinking he was dead -- that, and the fact that she was younger and pretty and he was older and clueless about her feelings. Then when I saw the young guys who were the developers, I was positive.

I still think Jack is too heavy handed in trying to get people to talk and "process" their feelings with her. She's too pushy about it. It always seems weird to me to see her with Vance and recall that they are supposedly longtime friends; I don't feel any connection between them.

All in all, though, I enjoyed this episode more than I have any in quite awhile.

[JessDVD]

Kasie is awkward and talks too much but I'm ok with it (for now) because she's young and this appears to be her first or one of her first jobs. Nervous energy leading to word vomit. If she's still like that at the end of next year, I might be grumpy. But being an NCIS show, I shouldn't let my fingers crossed. Eric on LA is still awkward after like 9 years, when you'd think any adult would have figured out how to control it and it took about 12 years for them to stop it with Palmer on mothership.

[helsinkibaby]

13 hours ago, MissLucas said:

I remember talk about a vacation in Scotland - not sure which episode but I think it was this season.

It was the season 14 opener. She told McGee about it when she came in and the latest probationary Agent (who lasted 6 days I think?) was handing in his notice. 

[Skycatcher]

I'm getting the feeling that Harmon is over it, like he's just going through the motions.

[buckboard]

Gibbs coming down to the lab more times this episode than he had all season and then asking what Kasie's favorite drink was?  It was like poking a stick in the eye.  So obviously disrespecting Pauley.

Ha ha!  See folks, she was the problem.  Not me.  And for emphasis, let me just add a barking dog, that never lived in my neighborhood before Pauley's last episode.

[GHScorpiosRule]

14 hours ago, Skycatcher said:

I'm getting the feeling that Harmon is over it, like he's just going through the motions.

Then he wouldn't have re-upped for next season if he was truly done with the show.

8 hours ago, buckboard said:

Gibbs coming down to the lab more times this episode than he had all season and then asking what Kasie's favorite drink was?  It was like poking a stick in the eye.  So obviously disrespecting Pauley.

Ha ha!  See folks, she was the problem.  Not me.  And for emphasis, let me just add a barking dog, that never lived in my neighborhood before Pauley's last episode.

I'd put that on the writers than Harmon. He doesn't write the scripts. Yes, he's an executive producer, but he's always been professional. He doesn't have a reputation for being a jerk and a passive aggressive douche.

[Skycatcher]

13 hours ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

Then he wouldn't have re-upped for next season if he was truly done with the show.

 I know he's re-upped but I just don't get the feeling his heart is in it anymore.

[slothgirl]

On 5/15/2018 at 10:55 PM, laredhead said:

.  Kasie is quirky in her own way, and I liked her better in this episode than the first one she was in earlier in the season.      

I'm totally sick of all STEM characters on tv being "quirky". It's as though the writers think those fields are so unusual that only really unusual social misfits would ever be in them.

Although, in the NCIS universe, it is an unusual field, and that must be why the entire agency had to rely on a single employee and then be stuck wondering "OMG, how are we going to do our job and have actual, you know, CASES, without Abby???" That goodness Gibbs remembered that there was another person in all of DC who could run a few tests, even if it is her first real job.

OW! I think I sprained my eyeball from it rolling so far back in my head.

On 5/16/2018 at 11:12 AM, TheGreenWave said:

I noticed that Gibbs definitely had more dialogue this episode (besides just grunting or flashing a look-of-death at someone or having Jack basically speak for him) and almost all of it really took place in the lab with Kasie. 

Well, except for his rather humorous scene with Phil. I like Gibbs interacting with his friends, and the show needs more of that. Of all the relationships on the show over the years, the best for me has always been the "old married couple" vibe of Gibbs and Fornell. I wonder if Phil is going to become a recurring character? 

On 5/15/2018 at 9:32 PM, enoughcats said:

I got this really bad feeling that we're about to see the last of McGee.

I was thinking that about McGee too until the last bit where he says he remembers why he became an agent

The show does seem to be re-booting though in a "new cast, younger vibe" direction though. It would make more sense for Gibbs to leave that McGee (not from a production angle, but for realism). I'm having a hard time accepting someone his age, with his history of injuries, still going out in the field. Supervising crime scene investigation, maybe... but not going out to apprehend suspects or be in situations that require strength and stamina, or could result in him getting shot or trip and hit his head. IRL, he would have been sidelined years ago.

Harmon's not even looking that healthy for his age anymore. (I think the longer hair on the sides of his face really emphasizes the aging in his face. When he had the subtle visual line higher up created by the shorter hair, it lifted his face and made him look younger). 

Edited May 19, 2018 by slothgirl

[secnarf]

3 hours ago, slothgirl said:

Although, in the NCIS universe, it is an unusual field, and that must be why the entire agency had to rely on a single employee and then be stuck wondering "OMG, how are we going to do our job and have actual, you know, CASES, without Abby???" That goodness Gibbs remembered that there was another person in all of DC who could run a few tests, even if it is her first real job.

OW! I think I sprained my eyeball from it rolling so far back in my head.

This part felt realistic to me. Where I am currently working, there are two people in a certain position - I am covering a maternity leave for one, and the other has been there for over 30 years. She will be retiring next year, and everyone (including myself and the person on mat leave!) keeps saying how we have no idea how we will function after she leaves. It's not that there isn't anyone else who is qualified and can do the job, but there really isn't anybody who could do the job as well as she does, with all those years of experience. I will likely be the person to fill the vacancy after she goes, but there is no way I will even come close to filling her shoes.

For many years, she was the only person in her position, and it wasn't until about 5-6 years ago that the second one was hired - both due to increased workload and for long-term planning once the first person retires. But 10-15 years ago, it was probably a similar situation to Abby - she was the only one with that specific skill set, and she was integral to ensuring the team is able to reach the end goals.

Putting aside the ridiculousness of the NCIS organization only having one forensics specialist, the team's reactions felt real to me, because I see those sentiments expressed every day at work, and I feel the same way.

[GHScorpiosRule]

EDDIE!!!!!

BOO!!!! He’s a bad guy!!!???

Another BOO!! that Susan Walters played a baddie on this show. At first I thought she was reprising her role from JAG.

I understand missing Abby, but McGee, Ellie and Torres were acting as if she was dead, and that they would never hear from her again when she was just an app away.???? And apparently Abby was the ONLY forensics expert since forensics was a thing. Who did NCIS get to conduct the tests when she was on vacation? Ohhhh, wait. Abby NEVER went on vacation. 

I like Kasie and was glad her quirkiness was dialed down this time around. But yeah, add me to the list of those that are weary of how ALL STEM have to be weird or quirky. At least on Law & Order, I got normal.

Reeves is actually dead. But again, Ellie’s grief made no sense since he wasn’t with the team for the short time he was on the show. Maybe we only saw her grief because he helped her on her revenge crusade when her boyfriend was murdered.

The good? Gibbs yelling in fear when he discovered Phil was alive!??? Because I’ve never seen Gibbs scream like that in all 15 seasons! Harmon was hilarious!

This was the most engaging I’ve seen Mark all season, with the exception of the first few episodes when McGee and Gibbs were being held prisoners.

Edited May 19, 2018 by GHScorpiosRule

[Clanstarling]

On 5/15/2018 at 6:32 PM, enoughcats said:

How did the guy living in the bomb shelter manage to throw the exterior handle to closed, the hand that Jethro had to flip down

Yeah, that was a bit of a head scratcher.

On 5/15/2018 at 6:34 PM, Ohmo said:

Yup...noticeable wasn't it?  I like Kasie, and it will take her a bit to find her groove, but I'm good with that.  I liked Jimmy golfing, but maybe that's because I like watching golf.  I also enjoyed seeing the boat.  It's always in the basement, but this time boats were central to the story.

I hate watching golf (the husband loves it), but I enjoyed seeing Jimmy doing something he was not only skilled at, but completely comfortable in his abilities - no self doubt at all.

On 5/16/2018 at 10:50 AM, pcta said:

Kasie is horrible.  We lost Clayton and got her?  I now skew too old for NCIS - nothing here for me any more

I'm not sure it's age. I'm pretty old (could be drawing social security if I could afford it), and I like Kasie just fine - and enjoyed this episode more than I have any others in the recent past.

On 5/19/2018 at 10:52 AM, slothgirl said:

Harmon's not even looking that healthy for his age anymore. (I think the longer hair on the sides of his face really emphasizes the aging in his face. When he had the subtle visual line higher up created by the shorter hair, it lifted his face and made him look younger). 

 

I'm around healthy men his age all day (and at home), so within my experience Harmon is still exceptionally stunning and youthful looking. He might be looking old by TV standards, but he still looks younger than his age in real life.

Edited May 20, 2018 by Clanstarling

[slothgirl]

11 hours ago, Clanstarling said:

I'm around healthy men his age all day (and at home), so within my experience Harmon is still exceptionally stunning and youthful looking. He might be looking old by TV standards, but he still looks younger than his age in real life.

Mr Slothgirl is 6 years older than Harmon, and even when he IS tired, he doesn't look as tired, pale and worn out as Harmon looks in every scene to me.

[Clanstarling]

6 hours ago, slothgirl said:

Mr Slothgirl is 6 years older than Harmon, and even when he IS tired, he doesn't look as tired, pale and worn out as Harmon looks in every scene to me.

Sounds like he's aging well too. As with everything, mileage and experience varies.

[Sake614]

On 5/18/2018 at 12:53 AM, buckboard said:

let me just add a barking dog, that never lived in my neighborhood before Pauley's last episode.

 

I've heard that dog in almost every scene at Gibbs' house over the years. I think people are reading way too much into that. It's a staple on just about every show that there's a dog barking in the background of residential neighborhoods. I always find it amusing and can almost cue into when the dog will bark.

[Katy M]

35 minutes ago, Clanstarling said:

Sounds like he's aging well too.

I read this as "sounds like he's aging too well"  and I thought "there's no such thing."  then realized my imaginary dyslexia got the best of me again.  I hope we all age too well.

[GHScorpiosRule]

Genes also play a factor in how one ages; and there's the type of work; like how being President REALLY AGES you. I imagine, the hours that Mark puts in on this show, is a factor. That said, he still looks extremely yummy.  And since he re-upped, I want him to cut his hair! That style does NOTHING for him.

[Sake614]

44 minutes ago, GHScorpiosRule said:

want him to cut his hair!

 

I don't! I prefer it longer :). And I want him to lose the t-shirts for good lol!

[GHScorpiosRule]

1 minute ago, Sake614 said:

 

I don't! I prefer it longer :). And I want him to lose the t-shirts for good lol!

??

[Emma9]

On 5/16/2018 at 9:37 AM, shrewd.buddha said:

It was odd having Gibbs immediately back in the lab. I almost got a vibe of "ding dong, the witch is dead." 

Same. Mainly because they were so desperately clinging to the fiction that 'Oh, it's just a coincidence Gibbs hasn't been in the lab all season, nothing to see here, la dee da' - if they were still fooling anyone, him instantly appearing there in this episode had to have given it up.

It wasn't clear whether Kasie only contacted Abby for her blessing after Gibbs offered her the job, or if Abby had a part in recommending her. If it's the former, makes it all the more unprofessional on Abby's part to bail without giving notice or lining up a replacement, to a degree that feels wildly out-of-character to me. Hate to say it, but it really would have made more sense if they'd just killed her off.

Also rubbing salt in an Abby-related wound this episode - a Coast Guard agent is killed in an investigation with NCIS ties. Oh for the days when that would've meant Borin would arrive shortly.

 

On 5/19/2018 at 6:48 PM, GHScorpiosRule said:

The good? Gibbs yelling in fear when he discovered Phil was alive!??? Because I’ve never seen Gibbs scream like that in all 15 seasons! Harmon was hilarious!

 

I laughed at that too. I agree that we've never seen him jump like that before.

Edited May 23, 2018 by Emma9

[slothgirl]

1 hour ago, Emma9 said:

It wasn't clear whether Kasie only contacted Abby for her blessing after Gibbs offered her the job, or if Abby had a part in recommending her. If it's the former, makes it all the more unprofessional on Abby's part to bail without giving notice or lining up a replacement, to a degree that feels wildly out-of-character to me. Hate to say it, but it really would have made more sense if they'd just killed her off.

 

Out of character maybe, but realistic. It isn't a federal employee's job to line up a replacement or someone to cover for them if they have to be out. It's only their responsibility to have their work area in a state that someone else CAN come in without wondering where Major MassSpec is stored and how to get it running. What's silly is that there aren't more Abbys already in the lab and that the best replacement for her is someone taking her first real job. I think "an agent I was standing right next to got shot and killed and I nearly died myself" is a pretty acceptable reason for quitting on the spot and not giving notice, assuming the position even required giving notice. So while it might have been out of character, I don't find it unprofessional. Plus, she tells the team and then just takes off, but she might have "given notice" to Gibbs (when he visiting in the middle of the night when no one was watching) or the Director, before she was even out of the hospital. IRL, her recovery before she left would have been at least 2 weeks, but she had to leave the hospital, wrap up the case, and be well enough to fly across the pond before Reeves got too stiff.

Edited May 23, 2018 by slothgirl