Call of Silence

I have been into NCIS almost for six months and this one is one of my favorite story during the whole season. In Korea, it doesn't matter South or North, guys have to join the military service. Choosing army, navy, air force or special unit is the only choice who turned into in his 20's can make it. It is beside the point, but all I want to say is that I was absolutely able to gain what kind of feeling that would be. I was in army for 2 years. It is not that long but would be enough to give me some experiences related in military. Can't imagine how someone is confusing about killing his best friend at the battle field will be like. In short, I touched and want to keep watching this great TV show.

I just saw this episode for the first time. Great episode made all the more important by the performance of Charles Durning- D-Day vet, Malmedy vet, Silver Star, Bronze Star.

NCIS helped give us a bit of education, also, as to the particulars of the attack. This is the first episode I've seen that reflected a bit of history and the costs of those historical battles.

This episode is all the more poignant with Mr. Durning's recent death this past Christmas Eve. (Congrats also to IMDb for the timely update.)

R.I.P. Greatest Generation. "Thank You for your Service" to all past and present Service members.

Someone mistakenly said their is no requirement to salute a Medal of Honor recipient. That's technically true, but practically wrong. The salute is rendered to honor the medal and what it represents along with the person wearing it. In the Marine Corps I can testify to the salute being one of the most respected traditions we have. I witnessed a bird colonel salute a gunny who was wearing the ribbon on his summer service charlie. The technical adviser for NCIS the first few seasons was dead on his advice and Mark Harmon played a former Gunny almost perfectly. I wish they still had the TA because recent episodes have deteriorated considerably. That said...Code of Silence with the great actor and American hero Charles Durning is the best episode ever made. As a former Marine I never cry, but the performances in this episode certainly produced some sweat around the eyes. Semper Fi.

"Call of Silence" is the only TV show or movie I have ever rated a 10. The final 10 minutes are so emotional and heart wrenching I guarantee you will not have a dry eye, and the lump in you throat will be unavoidable. It will start when Ernie and Kate are slow dancing to "Begin the Beguine", which Ernie sings and hums. Moments later, when Cmdr. Coleman and two Marines are about to take Ernie into custody, Tony slowly pulls Ernie's tie to the side to reveal his Medal of Honor. Cmdr. Coleman and the marines snap to attention, and the marines smartly render a salute. I have watched this episode at least a dozen times, and each time I see this scene I feel a great sense of pride in our men and women in uniform, past, present and future. And finally when Gibbs convinces Ernie he did nothing wrong, it's another scene that will bring moisture to your eyes. Mr. Durning's performance (he was a real life WW2 veteran, and he shows Tony some actual photos of himself during his military service) is beyond outstanding in this episode, just one of the reasons this episode rates a perfect 10.

This was also my favorite episode of NCIS. Charles Durning does a great job, and there are some great scenes in the show. My favorite is when Tony reveals the Medal of Honor to the two Marines who snap to attention and salute. In my opinion, (and I may be prejudice since I am ex-Navy)NCIS is the best show on TV. For the most part, they get the language right (bulkhead, etc) and the customs (not saluting when your cover is off, etc) Michael Weatherly is a good actor who can go from acting goofy to serious parts (like the time, he had the plague) And of course there is Leroy Jethro Gibbs. It will be real interesting to see how the spin off does.