(323-word review) Besides the dated and offensive representation/writing concerning a particular topic, akin to the nineteenth episode in the first season, this was yet another engaging episode. It was even better than the previous one, which was this season's best so far; now, this one slid in, one-upping it. It's not even close.
Initially, it started one way and then evolved tremendously into an entirely different beast, which, in and of itself, is praiseworthy. But regarding that initial part, I loved the scene in the car with Caitlin and Tony; it almost felt bittersweet, probably due to my awareness/knowledge of a significant thing that's going to happen. Considering that scene was unlike any of their interactions prior, that must have been intentional by the writers.
The writing overall, particularly the characters and Gibbs' exasperation, was well-done. The probability it's the best display of that aspect of things thus far in the show is high. Steven Kane, the writer: his first and only written episode of the show, did well. He arrived, wrote one of this show's best episodes yet, and then didn't write any others. 4D chess grandmaster over here.
Beyond that, concerning the second half after the tone shift, it effortlessly overtook what this episode started as. Then, all of a sudden, espionage, backed by a high-up chain of command interference, is going down. That's a significant shift, and I loved it. Anthony Heald's performance was good. Name-dropping Ari Haswari again, too.
We're getting more breadcrumbs of a larger picture, and I'm curious to find out whether this high-up person will be relevant and brought back instead of an odd one-time thing. A particular character without his first appearance yet, who I'm pretty sure joins the main cast of characters, comes to mind. But part of me is skeptical that it's him. Most of the distinguishment concerning the high-up character's appearance, particularly the hair, makes me doubt that it's him.
Good episode.
Initially, it started one way and then evolved tremendously into an entirely different beast, which, in and of itself, is praiseworthy. But regarding that initial part, I loved the scene in the car with Caitlin and Tony; it almost felt bittersweet, probably due to my awareness/knowledge of a significant thing that's going to happen. Considering that scene was unlike any of their interactions prior, that must have been intentional by the writers.
The writing overall, particularly the characters and Gibbs' exasperation, was well-done. The probability it's the best display of that aspect of things thus far in the show is high. Steven Kane, the writer: his first and only written episode of the show, did well. He arrived, wrote one of this show's best episodes yet, and then didn't write any others. 4D chess grandmaster over here.
Beyond that, concerning the second half after the tone shift, it effortlessly overtook what this episode started as. Then, all of a sudden, espionage, backed by a high-up chain of command interference, is going down. That's a significant shift, and I loved it. Anthony Heald's performance was good. Name-dropping Ari Haswari again, too.
We're getting more breadcrumbs of a larger picture, and I'm curious to find out whether this high-up person will be relevant and brought back instead of an odd one-time thing. A particular character without his first appearance yet, who I'm pretty sure joins the main cast of characters, comes to mind. But part of me is skeptical that it's him. Most of the distinguishment concerning the high-up character's appearance, particularly the hair, makes me doubt that it's him.
Good episode.
