NCIS (TV Series) Bête Noire (2004) User Reviews

Wow

[dagget_says_hi · 10/10 · 30 September 2009]

OK, first off, yes, I am writing this review quite a few years after the episode first aired, but when I realised no one else had written one I immediately thought something was wrong with that.

"Bete Noire" features a first for the NCIS team - a terrorist has infiltrated NCIS HQ in Washington via Autopsy. The terrorist (later named as Ari Haswari) has taken Ducky, Gerald and Kate hostage. The terrorist's demands are made and Gibbs, DiNozzo and Abby are left to deal.

This episode was amazing. Action, thrills, humour and a hell of a lot of suspense - the episode had everything. The standout of this episode, without a doubt, was the acting by guest star Rudolf Martin (Haswari). The charming, charismatic terrorist is as deadly as he is alluring. His eyes look kind...moments before he fires his gun. The character is just brilliantly portrayed and well written.

All in all, Bete Noire is without a doubt one of the best, if not THE best episode of NCIS. 10/10

Best episode so far.

[LegendaryFang56 · 8/10 · 17 November 2021]

Well, that's one way to introduce the antagonist of the next season, and sort of this season as well; the end of this season, to be precise. As I've mentioned in my review of the previous episode and the eighth episode, and now this episode: I spoiled myself that there will be an antagonist of what looks to be the end of this season, and probably the entire second season, and by knowing his name, too. I'm pretty sure this new character that managed to slip away is that antagonist.

Once I saw his face, I thought that he had to be him. I also seemed to recognize him as someone who did "something" in the second season. If you know, you know. And if you do, you probably also know that "it" was staged. Or at least, I think so. But I don't remember the reasoning behind it.

And it's interesting to see the seeds planted between him and that character, which I'm pretty sure played a huge part in the staged act. It seems like that character will be the focus of some inner conflicts. Maybe character development as well, while we're leading up to that fated moment in the second season.

So, I'm interested in seeing where his character and the storyline(s) involving him will end up leading. I thought he was with the Mossad because of the dialogue at the beginning of the episode. But apparently, he's a terrorist, yet he seemed a little too skilled. I wonder if he's a former Mossad agent, perhaps. Either way, he knows what he's doing. And I'm interested to learn more about him. As well as see where this storyline with him will go.

NCIS Special Agent Paula Cassidy made her second appearance, which didn't come as a surprise because I guess I was expecting her to show up again. On the Trivia section of the eighth episode, where she made her first appearance, it said the first appearance of Special Agent Paula Cassidy. That suggests she'll show up again, maybe that she'll even be a significant character.

I don't remember her character from the bits and pieces of the show that I do remember, so I'm guessing she won't be that significant of a character. But she has to show up a few more times after showing up in this episode. If this is the only other time she shows up, it wouldn't have made sense to write that on the Trivia section.

Another familiar face, but not from a previous episode, was Matthew Del Negro. I was pleasantly surprised to see him, as I think he's a good actor who's massively underappreciated. Not to mention: underutilized. His role deserved to be more worthwhile, more like throughout an entire episode. This episode was probably before his roles got more lengthy than a few seconds. Seeing him listed on the opening credits of the episode was odd because of that.

This episode was pretty good. Initially, I felt like the previous episode was better, at least more enjoyable. But after contemplating it, I concluded that this episode was better and more enjoyable. It's the best episode so far. I have no idea what to expect from the following episodes that remain in this season, but it would be nice if one of them tops this one. But if that's not the case, this episode is more than good enough to have the title of Best Episode in This Season.

He he

[bevo-13678 · 10/10 · 14 June 2020]

I like the bit where he comes out of a body bag. Very clever trick if you ask me.

A very good episode!

[harrykivi · 8/10 · 19 August 2023]

"Bete Noire" is an episode that definitely stands out in this season. It's not as good as "Marine Down" in my opinion, but still manages to be very good.

Let's start with the good.

. The production values of the episode are great as usual. The direction's solid, so is the music and the acting. Rudolf Martin gives a very captivating performance. His character, who is later found to be Ari Haswari, is one of the better villains of "NCIS". Charming, intelligent, yet extremly intimidating.

. The story, while pretty straightforward, is an intense one. The action is well-done and the humorous bits feel welcome.

But...

. I agree with a previous reviewer: the writers could have gone into more detail how the terrorist escaped NCIS. The ending did not seem very plausible.

Overall, a very good case.

8/10 HK.

No.

[stratus_phere · 4/10 · 7 April 2017]

Not "Wow". No.

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

When the bad guy gets away, it's never a good episode. If you go to the trouble to make a bad guy REALLY BAD, and then let him get away, why on earth do you think viewers would enjoy this crap?

TV shows END when writers get all stupid and crazy and think that somehow viewers are interested in building some yearly long bond with a crazy, psychopathic bad guy. The writers can go sit at home and dream of their favorite bad guys, if that's what they're into. But the rest of us want an hour of entertainment with a good ending.

This was not a good ending. This was not a good episode. Do better, or find another career.

Series Ruining Stupid Writing

[scottstigall · 1/10 · 17 December 2021]

How could this episode be so highly rated. Most impossible escape in any show I have ever seen. How do you know someone will be in a position to have the gall to try to shoot you? How do you switch spots with another body without someone becoming aware? How do you not only get out of autopsy but out of the building and off the base? Never explained because not possible. Had I watched this episode in the original run, I would never had continued watching this series and may never watch again. Pure stupidity.