NCIS – Did Adriana really have a crush on McGee after all?

The case on last night’s episode of NCIS was a cool one. Even as it was a bit degrading to have our team of NCIS special agents assigned a protection detail — I believe they’ve done it a few times in the past — I enjoyed the machinations of both the case of the missing girl and the case of the dead Marine that Gibbs was dead-set on solving.

I also enjoyed that the first scene of the episode was really from the middle of the story. Sometimes I find those “spoilers” to be disruptive, but here I was constantly on the lookout for how and when that would happen in an anticipatory fashion. I actually imagined it would be while Tony, McGee, and Adriana Gorgova (Elena Satine) were out on their run.

The only thing was that I knew Adriana was involved in the mystery from the moment that she met with Professor Fleming (Christopher Redman), the guy from the earlier scene in Belgravia with the attempt on the minister’s life. By the way, how cheap were the splices of footage to make it look as if Hillary Clinton was there?

Anyway, it was already clear at that point that Adriana either had a problem with the proposed treaty or hated her father, and that she was working with Fleming to have her father, Defense Minister Andor Gorgova (Ray Laska), killed. So that stole a bit of the mystique.

And in a ridiculously odd coincidence, I was also ready for the switch from planned kidnapping to partner going crazy and demanding a ransom. Last week’s episode of Blue Bloods, which I had watched just yesterday, was about basically the same thing. The only difference was that there the kidnapped girl wanted her divorced parents to reconcile; here she wanted to alter the course of peace in her country. Not quite the same goal. But still, talk about coincidences. Do you think the suits at CBS realized?

I thought the snatch scene was fun. From Adriana calling for McGee’s help in the bathroom to McGee stepping out of the crashed car into the hydrant’s flow it was a great couple of minutes. I think it would have been cooler if Adriana hadn’t known to expect it, but still. Nice.

Some other fun stuff:

• The ongoing thread of the blood drive, and Tony’s fear of needles ever since being in the hospital with a deadly disease. The fact that it demanded more of Abby’s presence was irritating, but Tony was funny ducking his donation appointment.
• Tony calling for the group, sans Gibbs, to gather around the campfire. When’s the last time we saw that happen? Because it’s awesome.
• Tony’s hidden folder of agency crime scene stickers. The perfect gift for your agent on the go … who’s okay with ethically questionable actions.
• Palmer dressed all dapper like Ducky. Was that new?
• The great use of the personal side of the team members within the universe of the case. That was pitch perfect this week.

What I didn’t understand was why Leon was getting on Gibbs’ back for going against his orders not to pursue the dead Marine case. I mean, I get it, but he seemed to blow it a bit out of proportion. Might we finally be about to see the showdown between Vance and Gibbs that’s been brewing for seasons?

“What’s with McGee?” – Adriana
“What do you mean?” – Ziva
“Is there a Mrs. McGee?” – Adriana
“[Laughing] What a concept!” – Tony

Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Feb 16, 2011 @ 13:00 EST5EDT