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NCIS: Los Angeles: Fame (2010)
'Fame'-ous Episode.
This episode aired a day after my birthday and when I first watched it, It seemed like it was truly a birthday episode. I will now claim that it is the best episode of the season in my opinion maintaining all elements that would attract a fifteen-year-old like me.
The episode starts with interesting opening where a couple is making out in the parking lot over the illuminating Los Angeles nightlife. They are interrupted by what sounds like the screech of car tires become loader and loader as a car comes to view, The almost-dead Navy Sailor hits the back of their car to the car plunging to his death. The screams from the couple of 'no' seemed fake though.
The team atmosphere is wonderful as they all start chatting about the most random things. The introduction of Detective Deeks becoming a Liaison with NCIS is shown and the team still adjusting to him. The episode is filled with many jokes, wonderful undercover work, etc.
The interesting and intriguing connection though between it all is how a man from the Navy is found in a celebrity's car - dead. We soon begin to realize there is more to the story then to what meets the eye.
I MUST compliment Daniela Ruah on her wonderful performance as Special Agent Kensi Blye. She did an excellent job with her undercover work and showed the audience that she is able to get into many different persona's that are the complete opposite to her original character.
And finally, Kensi and Audrey connection and friendship was one my favorite elements of the episode... How they seemed so laid-back and like total best friends. The city theme was also quite wonderful addition to the episode to make it complete.
I would advise and encourage everyone watches this episode if they are a young adult or a huge fan of celebrities' glitz and glam.
NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service: Spider and the Fly (2010)
"'Will you walk into my parlor?' said the Spider to the Fly."
As I previously watched Psycho a few weeks ago for English, we learned about this poem by Mary Howitt being referenced in the movie. It was about walking into a trap without even noticing.
The title of the episode hints us that someone would be walking into a trap but we are anxious to find out as minimal spoilers were given beforehand or the episode being far from predictable.
So, Ten out of ten? YES, IT'S EXCELLENT! And no, I didn't just give that rating because I'm a fan - it was truly quality entertainment worth spending an hour watching.
The plot is picking up from what the Season Finale of Season 7 left off and came with major expectations from the fans and new viewers of maintaining their place on top of the TV tree. It begins with a recap of what has happened last season to give us an insight of the previous events.
Before I start on the positives, I will just comment on the negatives first. The only weak moments of the episode, I must say is when they go to the site of 'helicopter crash' where they find two bodies linked back to Reynosa drug cartel.
Yes, Brian Dietzen was fantastic having more camera time in his adorable roll of Jimmy Palmer but the team seemed so tense and professional. The office may I also say seemed quite boring without the regular team (who McGee was currently in Canada and Ziva in Miami) in the first minutes of the episode but that soon changes.
As for the positives, there are so many! I would like to explain them all but I will be just be brief, being weary of the one thousand word or less limit.
The newfound reignited father-son relationship between the Gibbs' is shown throughout the episode by wonderful acting and a brilliant script. The extreme measures that we observes from Leroy Jethro Gibbs to protect his father like spending more time with him and reassigning agents for his dad; just show how much he loves his father and now finally displaying it.
The humor is subtly used throughout the episode to make light of serious situation and to keep us in a generally captivated mood. This is shown in the scene when McGee is Canada and DiNozzo is joking around, Abby seeking advice from a security guard and the banter between Tony + Ziva.
The amount of locations throughout the episode keeps us on our feet from being in the car park to the safe house, then we go Gibbs house and NCIS headquarters. You can see that there was various locations to create an effective excitement throughout the episode.
I must say I compliment the cast and crew on NCIS for doing a exquisite job in transition between scenes and shots as it remained fast-paced but it all went well to sink in properly.
The use of subtle things done within the episode, really opens the door to future story-lines that could excite many viewers. These include Tony 'IM'ing his father, Vance mysterious contact with Director David (Ziva's Dad)and Ziva's light-weighted messaging to someone from Miami.
The appearance of the characters is very well done to, all wearing clothing that is true to their personality and quite uniquely stylish. Also Sean Murray who plays Tim McGee is looking fantastic since his weight-loss lately.
As I am a 'Tiva' (Tony and Ziva pairing) fan, I especially loved the moment they had where they had flirtatious banter. The chemistry and humor between them was nailed down perfectly with developing a better relationship between the characters since previous seasons.
The plot in general was fantastic and provided many shocks and twists that were unexpected. Such as Alejandro killing his own sister, Ziva + McGee being in Miami and Canada, etc.
As for the key moment? I began to cry a little during the end when Alejandro killed his own sister, she had become likable somehow and the words she spoke originating from the Spider and the Fly poem made more sense and were somewhat powerful. Off I Go by Greg Laswell, The last song played in the last few minutes was wonderful and fit the mood perfectly, I loved it.
So, Maybe it doesn't compare to other season finales such as Season 5's 'Bury Your Dead' and 7's 'Truth or Consequences', but it is a definite must see all fans and all new viewers, to not only have an insight of one of the character's past but see how the team work effectively together to get out of tricky situations like these.
If this episode is what Season 8 has to come, I think this season has potential to be the best yet. It's funny, it's romantic, it's action- packed, it's thrilling, it's incredible, it's different, it's unique... IT'S THE BEST YET!
NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service: Blowback (2007)
It Blows You Away...
'Blowback' keeps you captivated in the very first few minutes of the episode with curiosity and mixed emotions running through our veins. It's a bearable episode but towards the end, It had to tendency to lose all the elements they had gained throughout the episode.
The beginning, in my opinion, is absolutely brilliant... I loved it and I WILL say it's one of my favorite beginnings. It begins with a black van following a paranoid man who ends up being captured by two people in two black masks who we soon find out to be Ziva David (Cote De Pablo) and Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly). The feeling that our heroic NCIS characters could be possible villains seemed almost enticing, This is supported by the mis-en-scene of a dark van, motion and Ziva wearing a really kick-ass leather jacket.
It continues to hold your attention after the credits with us feeling uncertain and anxious on what exactly was happening. A few jokes are thrown in to incorporate humour and get us laughing. There is a few memorable moments + quote during this scene as well.
So, The scenes I previously mentioned were two of my personal favourites of the episode - besides when they went out to meet La Grenouille. I could say it was a wonderful episode but towards the end, the episode tend to have no real purpose and wasn't going anywhere and the overreaction of Jenny was absurd. Not a memorable episode but definitely pure entertainment. It's definitely worth the watch.
NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service: Obsession (2010)
Obsessed With This Episode
'Obsession' revolves around Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) display a more mature and emotional side of himself as he becomes 'obsessed' with Dana Hutton (Ashley Scott), A reporter for ZNN who's brother was murdered previously.
The score throughout the whole episode is absolutely beautiful and I would like to compliment Stefan Svensson on how it was one the most lovely pieces used throughout the series... It captured the emotions of the characters and kept the mood throughout the episode.
The episode is quite intriguing with a unique storyline which has the audience, both emotionally and excited, every single minute along the way. The case itself was very intriguing being quite different and the story Ducky tells us is quite interesting about the origin of which the weapon came from.
As in relation to the character, Anthony DiNozzo, a magnificent portrayal by Michael Weatherly is fulfilled to a high standard. The lighting used in those moments - where he's watching videos of Dana, wondering where she is and playing the piano is done - in a well manner to keep a gradual darkness of the emotional, mature side he is hiding deep down inside underneath. Some criticized his behavior as Out Of Character (OCC) but it tend to be a development of the character in my opinion.
Wonderful casting, brilliant acting, funny humor, intriguing storyline, beautiful score, new knowledge... It's a wonderful episode that I definitely recommend viewing!
Vampires Suck (2010)
Sucks the fun out of Vampires.
It throws in a few funny jokes to keep you laughing throughout the movie but there was over-exaggeration in some scenes of the movie. It IS probably one of the best parodies of the 'Twilight' Series and the ability to merge two films together + capture the essence of those was done well.
It is a film that accommodates both people who are fan of the series or absolutely hate it. The portrayal of Becca Cullen by Jenn Proske was done to make her almost as likable as Bella Swan.
My key reason of watching the film? Matt Lanter, who I previously watched in 90210 and Cutting Edge 3. He pulled of the role and provided the audience with a few laughs. The only flaw was that he was covered in all that makeup.
Vampire Sucks is not as horrible as it's made out to be but it's definitely not Oscar material. It's a bearable film to say the least. Wouldn't recommend going to watch it at the cinema, just hire it at your local DVD store instead.