NCIS - Guilty Pleasure

Network: CBS
Time: Tuesdays, 8:00-9:00pm
Cast: Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Cote de Pablo, Sean Murray, Pauley Perrette, David McCallum, Rocky Carroll

Summary: The death of a Navy officer is linked to a prostitute, and the team asks for help from a D.C. Madam, Holly Snow. Guest starring Dina Meyer.

Review: Aw, this was a fun episode.

I mean, sure, it started with a guy getting hit by a car after being stabbed multiple times, but it pretty quickly devolved into the character banter it's so good at.  From the get-go, McGee and Tony are the middle of a little spat--the "seven year bitch," as Ziva says.  It lasts for the whole episode.

It is probably the funniest thing I've seen on this show in a long, long time.

McGee gets jealous because Tony's hanging out with Detective McCadden.  And Tony's mad because McGee wouldn't be his wingman and help him pick up a girl at a museum.  So they spend the entire episode sniping at each other like teenage girls, while Ziva watches and laughs at them (as well she should).

It was fun to see tension on the show that wasn't between Tony and Ziva.  Or Gibbs and Allison Hart.  Or Gibbs and a CGIS agent.  Or Gibbs and... any woman who walks onto the show (really, how many almost-romances does he need to be in?).

Speaking of almost-romances, this episode marked the return of the DC Madam Holly Snow.  Did anyone else completely forget the previous episode she was in until midway through this one?  And did anyone else think she was way cooler this time than she was last time?  She was kind of a really sweet character.  I actually felt pretty bad for her through the whole thing.

I also really appreciated that Tony was more serious in this episode than he's been in awhile, almost on par with the Tony of the first couple seasons.  Tony's always been the comic relief of the show, but he used to work hard behind-the-scenes, surprising his co-workers by behind a step ahead of them.  Recently, he's been all funny and not enough seriousness.  McGee usually does all the real work, and Tony and Ziva go pick up potential suspects.  It was nice to see Tony doing some of the work this time.

There were a couple other really funny moments.  Like when Tony went undercover as a John to trap a prostitute and was hopelessly out of his element that it was actually kind of surprising.  Or Abby realized McGee was jealous of Tony's "man-mance" with McCadden and tried to get Gibbs to give him a hug.

But there were a couple off moments as well.  Like when Abby tried to confront Holly about her prostitution, but only managed to stand there awkwardly while Holly did most of the talking.  Or Gibbs charged in like a white knight, gun a-blazing at the end of the episode.

It seems like NCIS is on a bit of an upswing again, with this episode and the last being generally pretty good.  I still don't feel like I'm anticipating it quite the same way I was at the beginning of the series, but there are still a few episodes left for them to win me back, and the episodes are certainly enjoyable to watch.

Do you feel the same way too, or is it just me?  What'd you think of this episode?  Leave me a comment and let me know.

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Favorite Lines:
Abby: I don't think I could be an escort.  I'm really friendly, and I'm a really good listening, and I like men, but.... eeeeh.

Tony [after meeting with a prostitute]: I'm just going to take a cold shower, Boss.

Ziva: You had a fling, Tony.
Tony: Guys don't have flings.  We hang out.
Ziva: Things were hanging out?  That is gross.

Rating:
[5] Excellent
[4] Good
[3] Average
[2] OK
[1] Bad