NCIS 8.22 Baltimore - Episode Review - Beware Spoilers

[dragonheart]

I went into this episode with high expectations and walked away only mildly disappointed.

 

 Why am I disappointed?

 

 

I am not really sure, the episode gave us a lot of information about Tony’s past, some of it pretty interesting – namely that Tony was once engaged to a woman named Wendy and unless I missed it when my husband walked into the room talking about his dry cleaning (urggg) we don’t know what happened to her or the engagement – my curiosity is certainly peaked on that one – is this failed relationship the reason for his fear of commitment? 
 

We said weeks ago that Tony’s partner threw a kink in the victimology of P2P – now we know why – he was killed by a copy cat – Tony’s old boss – I thought the premise was kind of cheesy, but it was really the only option to shoehorn his origin episode into the middle of a serial killer arc and make it somewhat relevant without sullying the information we were already given. But I did enjoy the Gibbs and Tony flashback scenes.

 

 So while we learned a lot about Tony, we didn’t learn a lot about P2P – I learned more in the 60 second promo for next week than I did in this entire episode, but I think the writers don’t want us knowing too much too soon.  The flash was pretty quick, but did I see Trent Kort wearing an eye patch in the promo?  Still nothing definite on that eyeball except that it belongs to someone with a very high security clearance - you would think as Director of NCIS Vance would have or be able to get that information.   BTW, where was Vance?  You would think he would be right in the middle of this given his feelings for Gibbs and Tony at the moment.  Maybe he was in Hawaii with EJ and her team.
 

What we did learn in this episode:

·         Tony couldn’t find his phone (later to be found at EJ’s, but why do I think it was planted there? – he’s a seasoned agent, he wouldn’t just walk off without his phone would he?)

·         Gibbs glasses are missing (me thinks the killer has been inside the bullpen and he is “collecting”)

·         We learned two new rules: #35 – always watch the watchers and #5 don’t waste good

·         Tony used to be the more “casually” dressed partner – Danny told him that with the right clothes he would be unstoppable – and everyone credits his snappy dressing to Kate – maybe it’s a combination of the two

·         Mighty mouse stapler – got a giggle out of that one – but it doesn’t really explain his fondness for it – wonder if he will keep it now in light of what he just learned.

·         Tony was engaged once to a woman named Wendy – don’t know the full story there and I really want to know!!!

·         Tony would rather have the plague than be a navy cop – kind of jinxed himself there

·         Gibbs was married, but in the midst of a divorce when he met Tony

·         Tony wore tube socks – OMG is all I can say on that 
 

So to wrap it up - You know that feeling you get on Christmas after all the presents have been opened and you are surrounded by all your goodies, and life is grand and you are blessed beyond measure, but you still feel kind of let down – not because it wasn’t great, but because the anticipation is over and the adrenaline level has dropped? - well that’s what I am feeling right now -
 

Comments

[rigil-kent.livejournal.com]

Tony was engaged once to a woman named Wendy – don’t know the full story there and I really want to know!!!

Might be Detective Kemp's (from season 6's "Silent Night") wife.

[dragonheart]

oooh, forgot about her. Did we know her name? Might have to revisit that episode... thanks for the heads up.

[rigil-kent.livejournal.com]

Just a guess. I have no idea if that's accurate or not since I've tried to block most of season 6 from my memory...

[whiteink]

I loved it for it's absolute Tony-centricness.

I think the snappy dressing comes from the break-up with Wendy. But we don't know how that happens.

I think rule 5 is my new favorite rule.

Tony leaving his phone ... what I wonder is if she's in Hawaii, does that mean he has a key?

I think Vance is getting killed.

Oh the plot bunnies!!! Bunnies!!! Fortune cookies!!!

[dragonheart]

I prefer to think that he picked her lock - he knew if he didn't find his phone, Gibbs would have his butt, so he went there looking for it. Darn, who am I kidding? of course, he has a key.... urrggh

[dragonheart]

p.s. he was watering her plants while she was away - yes!! that explains the key ...

[whiteink]

Yeah ... that's it. Watering the plants. I think he did that before she left.

[dragonheart]

you are soooo bad *g*

[whiteink]

*whistles innocently*

[proseac]

I think Vance is getting killed.

I think Vance is the P2P killer.

[whiteink]

ohhh...I pondered that ... but I'm not sure how he would have gotten to all those other ports.

[proseac]

Well, I would assume the Director of NCIS has to do a fair bit of travelling, dropping in on various field offices. Wouldn't be too much of a stretch...*g*

[whiteink]

I'm not sure from the preview for next week if they're saying they know the name of the killer or not. There's just so much going on in that 20 sec promo.

[proseac]

Darn it, here in Canada the stupid network always cuts in before we have a chance to see the promo. Everyone's buzzing about it, and I haven't seen it! *stomps foot*

But I gather people are saying Kort's wearing an eye patch. Hmmmm...

[whiteink]

I think they name the p2p killer ... but I'm not positive.

[alidiabin]

They do. But I can't remember what the name is though.

[alidiabin]

I loved it. Then again it's been three weeks since the last new episode. I didn't get the whole Wendy thing though.

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

I wondered when we learn that Gibbs had lost his glasses about the killer being internal and collecting things. But unlike you, I think Tony just left his mobile behind.

It does seem to imply, however, that the killer is internal/very tech savvy given the email Ducky received purporting to come from Abby, didn't actually come from Abby.

For me the episode was better than I'd been expecting/fearing, but not great.

[blueeyedgirl83.livejournal.com]

Tony being once engaged coupled with MW most recent interview is making me quite nervous. If this is headed where I fear is headed I'll be pretty disappointed and really pissed.

[dragonheart]

I think I know what you are thinking and I will be very upset too. We know EJ arcs out in a couple of weeks and as far as we know she won't be back for S9 - there is always the possibility she is killed, but if he proposes to her and no matter how she ends up, I will be livid - maybe enough to quit watching the show. Freaking show messing with my ship!

[blueeyedgirl83.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm thinking.

You are right, as far as we know her character won't be back in season 9, but if the producers decided to keep her alive and her and Tony together, they could just have them date offscreen with Tony mentioning her from time to time. And they could bring her back for guest apparences if the storyline requires it.

And even with the new knowledge that Tony was once engaged to someone (which is a huge deal and changes a lot where is character is concerned, imo), it doesn't make sense to me that he would consider proposing to EJ after barely 3 months of knowing her...but I guess I come to expect the worst from the writers.