dragonheart | NCIS Episode Review: 9.08 Engaged Part 1

I almost hate to say it because I don't want to jinx it - but I will anyway...

This season (apart from 9.01 NoTB) can do no wrong. There are no words to describe the love I feel for this episode, it is definitely going on my favorites list.

I had a week to prepare myself for the plane going down and the aftermath scene and I handled that okay - a few sniffles and a lumpy throat, but I made it through it. What tore my heart out and punched me in the gut was the Gibbs/Shannon scene: it was so loving, so intimate, so happy and then the phone rings and it's back to the real life lonely existence for Gibbs. He deserves some happiness, he really does.

The missing marine case could have been so cliché - but it was handled perfectly - to the point of heart break.

Our team pulled together and worked their butts off - the only one not on board was SecNav Jarvis - yes, I have officially decided I don't like him. I had been on the fence about him but his "wrap it up and move on" comment sealed the deal for me. He is now in the position of having to "win" me back to his side.

Tony's Bucket List - showed just how deeply this case affected him. I believe his deepest fear (to be revealed next week per the spoilers) will be that he is afraid of dying before he ever gets the chance to live. When I say live - I mean live a real life - something more than the job.

I am excited to see next week's episode - Gibbs and Ziva are going to Afghanistan to look for Gabriella. I am excited and apprehensive all at the same time - so much potential with the storyline. This is the first time that Ziva has been back to the Middle East and she is looking for a female hostage, that's got to open up some old wounds.