Blood Brothers

I wrote on this site back when Bishop was introduced and idolized over 3 episodes that she was coming in like a bad ass (in a good way). I also noted that I liked her. When I did that I forgot what a wimpy whiner she was going to turn into. Just a minor example, when Wickersham is costumed in a combat uniform, she looks absolutely impotent. Since those first 3 episodes she has not been a good agent as often as a questionable, perhaps even bad one. When the marital trouble was introduced, it became a downer for the series. I say that not out of sympathy for her, but because it just emphasizes what a loser she is. In this episode, Gibbs finally convinces her to grow some regarding Jake.

Trying to convince the psycho killer to give up his kidney for parole when he turns 70 years old is another example that there are times when middle-school children write the script, or at least the outline.

There are some moments where the appeal to the value of family almost rescues this episode. Almost.

Why did I ever get a crush on Bishop?

In most series the juice runs out around the 4-6 season. The writers have exhausted their repertoire and new writers are brought in or the original writers have to start looking deeper for reasons to mystify the viewers. NCIS has been a bit different and able to hang longer partly because of the changes in the characters. And because they found a way to get a really good cast together that viewers actually cared about.

The show went on with unusual success but this episode is the demonstration that they have finally jumped the shark. Bishop, as a character has been awful and with a husband that is even worse. When a character has to become a cry-baby just about every other show, any dedicated viewer will notice and not like it. Even Gibbs character showed chinks in the armor and mostly because of the Bishop character's propensity to whine. Oh, Da-Veed, why did you have to go and leave the show. You took the balance with you.

This episode brings the team one of the most ridiculous assignments ever after already presenting several that are week-kneed and really really bad. Now we have one that is so bad it has changed the very purpose of the team. Pathetic non-creative work up of a story that nearly brought me to shut it off. I've been watching the whole series on a streaming service and the 13 season is the last one. I was kind of hoping we would hear about season 14 coming on line soon but now, I don't think so. Having NCIS doing the work of a relief agency or the Red Cross and not investigating some murder or other nefarious action from those who want to bring America down. What are they going to do next? Have Tony and McGee looking for who forged some famous painting? Oh, wait, they already did that.

Well the slide has been going on since Da-Veed wandered away and got lost. What a shame. It took Criminal Minds only 3 seasons to tank so that says something for NCIS I suppose.