NCIS Episode Review: 9.19 The Good Son

[dragonheart]

 

I didn’t have any real expectations going into this episode. For me a Vance centric episode isn’t much to get excited about; couple that with the overused premise of a family member (named Michael) being a suspect in a murder case and it all adds up to boring. To be honest, I watched this episode because it was a Tuesday night and that’s what I do on Tuesday nights.

Imagine my surprise when I liked the episode. I can’t rave about it, but it’s not rant worthy either. Will it be on my must watch again list? No. But, for what it was - I liked it.

I have always been kind of ambivalent about Vance (except for that whole busting up the team thing – I hated him for that). I like that we only see him every now and again, and I haven’t been interested in learning more about him or his back story.

He has always been portrayed as a devoted husband and father and they really amped that up this episode – extending that devotion to Jackie’s troubled younger brother.

We learned that he has been in a lot of trouble, so much so that when Leon brought Michael home, Jackie told him to get out of the house. Now that’s harsh, so I imagine that Michael gave her a lot of stress and heart ache. I was glad to see them reconcile (for a little while).

Was I surprised that Michael was actually guilty of manslaughter? Yes!

Am I buying into the hype/hysteria that the only family member to be found guilty on NCIS was a troubled young black man? Heck no!

#1 - He wasn’t the only guilty family member – Gibbs former MIL was guilty of murder – the only difference is that Gibbs arrested Michael, where as he let his MIL walk away a free woman (don’t get me started on that) and
#2 – race didn’t even enter the picture for me. What surprised me is that the BIL of the Director was the one who was actually guilty and I think that was a well played and interesting plot. It is lonely at the top of the Pyramid and being at the top doesn’t mean that bad things don’t happen to you or your family – it humanizes the powerful and levels the playing field, so to speak.

We did get to see a (teeny) bit more of Abby this episode, but she is still little more than a background character these days. We got next to nothing of Ducky (they really need to get him out of autopsy more) and absolutely nothing of Jimmy Palmer.

I am beginning to think that McGee has been pulled out of the field for some unknown reason or infraction. Seriously, we only see him sitting at this computer these days. I don’t think he’s been outside of the bullpen since his excursion with Dorney. I would like to see him get some action scenes (like tackling the running Navy seaman). 

I did like seeing Jackie Vance again – I really like her. Strong mother and wife – not afraid to put her powerful husband in his place and I think she is beautiful. I hope we see more of her in Season 10.

The kids were cute, but for some reason I thought they were a bit older. Loved the ending scene with Vance and his son. I have to admit that I did get a lump in my throat at Vance’s anguish over Michael. He loves him and family is indeed precious – even the troubled ones.

So all in all, a good middle of the road episode – better than I expected.

Comments

[whiteink]

He wasn’t the only guilty family member
Ari was probably the guiltiest family member of all. Granted, Ziva wasn't a part of the team at that time ... but still!)

So ... Ari, Gibbs's MIL, Michael - guilty
McGee's sister, grandmother, Tony's dad - innocent
And technically - Frank's DIL was the one that shot those bounty hunter guys that her mom sent after her.
And Jimmy's little fling Michelle was guilty.
Actually ... the people related to or close to the team typically are found guilty. Unless they're related to McGee or Tony.

[proseac]

And what are the statistical odds of one group of people being connected to that many people either guilty of or accused of crimes? Astronomically low, I'd say. But I guess he just have to say, that's Hollywood, and leave it at that. Sigh.

[dragonheart]

*sighs* I know - right?

[whiteink]

Eh ... thinking of the people I know and/or am relatied to ... it could be statistically possible I guess.

[alidiabin]

The episode does explain why Vance doesn't just boot Gibbs out, he's an enabler.

I love Jackie Vance.

Also, the people who are talking about the race stuff, are typically people who would have no idea about it. They just think its cool to spout that sort of stuff. And besides Vance is the director of a federal agency,and there have been numerous black NCIS agents who have been successful as well as agents from many other races.

[karaokegal]

The only problem I had with Michael being guilty was that I knew he HAD to be guilty because GIBBS CANNOT BE WRONG.

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

It's quite a coincidence that you mention Gibbs's M-i-L, J and I (as part of our rewatch from beginning to end) watched 'Mother's Day' last night.

Somewhat interestingly (or not *g*) when I saw it for the first time I wasn't that bothered as we know he's done similar reprehensible things before. However, on rewatch I was really troubled by him just letting her walk - for murder. But then, let's be honest and let's not dress it up, Gibbs himself is a murderer. Did he have grounds? Yes. But do those grounds excuse what he did? No.

At least Michael didn't set out to kill, unlike M-i-L who murdered one man and was responsible for the death of another!
Yes, I'm more trouble all the time about him letting his M-i-L walk.

As for Ducky, I'm beginning to despair of ever seeing more of him.

And on the subject of McGee/SM. I confess the more I see, the more worried I'm getting about SM - not the weight loss thing, but his voice, the fact that he's sitting down at his desk so much of the time and when he's on his feet his looks almost shaky. I really hope it isn't anything nasty and if he is unwell it's just one of these long-lasting viruses or bugs that can linger and linger and linger. But yes, I'm really getting worried about him :-(

[dragonheart]

I am worried also, and my dream last week only makes it worse. I found myself scruntizing everything he did and said.

Maybe it is just my overactive imagination, but his voice seems to be raspier each episode and he is so very pale.

The weight loss never phased me - it is Hollywood and I thought "oh well, he has given in to the skinny mentality" the voice, the palor, the shakiness and noticably reduced screen time does cause me wonder a bit.

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

I can imagine it does :-( Me too.

I agree with you - it isn't your imagination and you're right he is very pale. And when it comes to J commenting on it (as he's done for the past couple of episodes) that actually makes me worry more.

I thought he lost too much, too quickly, but this is something else entirely. I really do hope it is just a nasty drawn out virus/bug.

*Crosses everything*