Kill Ari (Part II)

I find it difficult to review this as a stand-alone episode. This is at least a 3 episode arc that include "Twilight" and Kill Ari (part I). With all of these included, I think this is arguably the best that NCIS has to offer. The writing, direction, production, and acting are all top-notch. The suspense and twists are superb.

The "Ari" arc actually began in season 1, and he's not forgotten as the show continues on for many years. There were many great arcs over the first 10 seasons, but this one set the bar.

Were it not for items like "Casablanca", "The Grapes of Wrath", etc., I'd have given this a 10. These 3 episodes are a must watch for any NCIS fan.

I too was wondering about that song. Have you happened to come across the name of the song? If so, it would be much appreciated. It sounds like it might be in the Jazz genre if you looked it up on iTunes or something related to that. If you might know the decade in which it might have been released, that would also be helpful. I was also wondering if you had any other suggestions for movies with the actresses Abby or Ziva in them. Ziva's persona kind of reminds me of Dr. Brennan on the show Bones. Just her very literal mind and non-personal attitude. I would be very grateful. Now I must write 5 more lines to have this at least considered for submission. I wonder if I would be allowed to copy and paste this underneath so it would technically constitute as 10 lines of writing? That would make my life so much easier.

This second of a two parter was after "Kate" was killed, and the NCIS team goes full bore after her killer. Throughout the episode her "ghost" either appears to the crew, or is in their thoughts, as they try and work thru her demise. There has been some discussion in other postings about not caring much for the Kate character, but I thought she provided a level balance between the wide range of emotions of the others, and I still miss her, and look forward to the re-runs she is in. The new character of "Ziva" eventually becomes Kates replacement in the series, and she is completely different from Kate, more emotional. It took me awhile to like her since I was never sure at first where her loyalties really were. At the end of the episode., as they are all walking away from the grave-site, Abby has a music player (MP3?) that plays some New Orleans Jazz style music. What is the song, and what group??

Suspense is at a fever pitch in this strong conclusion to the classic season opener. With so much jeopardy involved and Ari the loose, plus solid spy goings-on led by Ziva (and not working for the home team) and more black humor. Bellisario has a knack of involving all the characters without ruining the plotting or making matters get silly.

The foibles of these characters are endearing and, again with the benefit of hindsight, it seems obvious that they would earn #1 status on tv and endure so long (including endless syndication). But I wonder how the show can continue with less interesting replacements.

The stunning and compelling aspects of this episode could make this 10 stars. The drama, when it dominates, is outstanding. The climactic scene was riveting, but only if you understood the part that was only implied by the message from the flowers.

Some viewers will laud the artistry of the scenes where dead Kate talks to her comrades. I found it sacrilegious given the tragedy. Those who formulated this episode intended it to echo back to Kate's relationships with the various characters, especially Tony, but as it picked up so quickly in the previous episode, and carried on in this, it overwhelmed the sense of grief. Perhaps with an entire summer for viewers to get used to the absolute shock, the showrunners thought the lighthearted approach was more appropriate than dwelling on the grief. They might have decided to try to lift the absolute darkness that resulted from Kate's fate. I found it inappropriate.

It might seem contradictory, but I found the very last measures in the last scene to be appropriate, but only because it was two full episodes after the tragedy, not almost immediately after the summer break.