One of the things that makes the original NCIS a great show is its ability to deftly blend comedy with its dramatic storylines. The characters on the series aren't just investigators, they're… well… characters. That alone truly sets NCIS apart from CBS' glut of procedural dramas. Why then the new NCIS spinoff, NCIS: Los Angeles would opt to tone down the one thing that makes NCIS different is a little hard to explain.
Several weeks ago I wrote about watching the backdoor pilot for NCIS: LA, the two-part NCIS episode "Legend." I said that the characters showed potential to be interesting, but that until I screened an actual episode of the new series it would be impossible to truly judge it based solely on the backdoor pilot.
Having now watched a full episode of NCIS: LA it appears quite certain that while the show fits perfectly into CBS' procedural drama bread-and-butter milieu, the show almost wholly lacks the quirkiness which makes NCIS so palatable. Gone is the hard-nosed elder statesman and leader of the NCIS team, Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), and in his place, are G. Callen (Chris O'Donnell) and Sam Hanna (LL Cool J). While both men are fine actors, they seem to have been cast more for their looks and potential 18-49 demographic appeal than for what they can truly bring to the roles.
Humor is brought to the table, mainly by the addition of Linda Hunt to the cast. She plays Henrietta "Hetty" Lange, and runs the NCIS: LA division, which, even though Rocky Carroll appears as Director Vance from time to time, puts her more in the Vance role on NCIS than the Gibbs one. There are other people in the cast who seem as though they'll bring an element of humor to the proceedings as well, but they all remain secondary – or tertiary – to O'Donnell and LL's characters and therefore the humor remains subdued at best.
Instead of humor, the show seems to offer a "more is better" type of philosophy which just ends up playing out as a "more is more" one. In addition to having more gunfights, the show, very interestingly, has more still shots heading into and out of commercial. Though they weren't present initially on NCIS, a hallmark of the show has become a still (or nearly still) black and white image being shown upon returning from a commercial break, and the show progresses over the course of that act until it arrives at that image. NCIS: LA doesn't use just one image, instead opting for an excessive series of them, all of which (it seems) occur at some point during the act. As with the casting of O'Donnell and LL Cool J, it seems like a deliberate choice on the part of the producers to try and "liven" things up and, hopefully, play towards a younger audience.
Article comments
1 - The jury is still out...
I agree with all the comments but my biggest problem with the first episode was the weak writing. The plot "twists" were something anyone with a brain would have seen coming. I will probably watch the next episode to see if the writing improves but I'm already thinking I won't be following this show for long.
2 - Erik N Jones
I love the original NCIS but I was left disappointed with the spin off, NCIS LA. Not only are the notable character traits gone with LA but also missing is the science and forensics that made the original NCIS so very interesting.
If the writers were to incorporate the lab and (ME)Medical Examiner roles, along with the autopsy and crime scene investigation that NCIS does, I beleive that this series would truly soar.
If not, then it is only a humorist version of CSI with a little "Beverly Hills 90210" thrown in and very little "crime show" genre that NCIS and CSI are famous for.
3 - Martin N
I was very disappointed with episode 1. As Mr Lasser writes, Linda Hunt does not play the Gibbs leadership role as Mace did in the pilot "Legend". I'll watch maybe one more episode.
4 - boadicea
I love NCIS, so was excited when I heard about LA coming out. After the two shows so far, I'm not impressed and probably won't continue watching.
The boss lady is annoying and unbelievable, the psych guy is like that guy in college we all hated because he overanalyzed your every move...and then had to show off his intelligence...
The two 'other' NCIS guy and girl are so boring I can't remember their names. LL and Chris' roles seem superficial...(i've been given no reason to care for or identify with them...whereas, for instance, the guys in NCIS:DC remind me of my brothers...)
The secret office is kind of silly...
Just nothing sets right with this show!
5 - w4la
What a lousey representation of such a great show as NCIS! Changed the channel after 25 minutes. If this show lasts 3 episodes I will be amazed!
6 - KeithSoCal
Just a number of observations: 1. Office setting- the elaborate facade that they work out of doesn't work. It should be set in a nondescript warehouse or some place that has something to do with the navy. 2. Peter Cambor's role on the show doesn't doesn't fit unless there's some other role he can also do on the team, maybe a demolitions expert or something. 3. Linda Hunt is a great actor and it just seems that her character makes no sense she is a wasted on this show.
7 - crunchycon
I love NCIS, so I, too, was looking forward to the spin off. I'm lukewarm at best. The nicest thing I can think to say is that everyone's trying hard. WAAAY too hard. The geek is too geeky (somehow McGee manages to avoid that); the shrink waxes too faux-philosophical (without Ducky's humorous edge);, and the "tough chick" could probably be taken down by Ziva in six seconds flat- without Ziva losing an ounce of charm. And there's no character to hold it together. I think Linda Hunt's a fine actress, but her character is too ill-defined. What is she supposed to be - an accountant or a personal shopper? I say the program needs a major overhaul and quickly. Definitely not the worst thing on TV, but it should be much better with the pedigree it has.
8 - Aaron
I have been a long time fan of NCIS, but feel insulted at the writing of the new NCIS Los Angeles. It is a smack in the face to previous fans and also to the actors in the new series. I have seen some of the actors before, and know that the fault is in the writer and or director. What a joke. Such a joke that I had to come to this site and say so. Please feel free to contact me if you want a better show, from a non experienced writer. It cannot get any worse. U guys suck.
Customer Aaron
9 - Dr Dreadful
What a joke. Such a joke that I had to come to this site and say so.
Should we be flattered, or...?
10 - Jet Gardner
When Ziva and was rescued on the NCIS opener, I thought it was one of the best episodes of almost any show I'd ever watched, so when NCIS LA played out afterward, I figured I just wasn't giving it a fair chance.
After watching all of NCIS LA so far, I've pretty much come to the same conclusion as everyone else. The things that make you laugh are the things that you see that are familiar in your own life experiences.
NCIS LA just doesn't seem to have anything to cause me to identify with any of the characters.
It's not going to last long on eye candy and gun fights, and plots I can solve in the first 10 minutes.
Good review there Josh...
11 - randa457
Another Miami Vice 1984 shoot'em up!
12 - louise
Wow, so happy to find this site, so darn disapointed in the new ncis, so boring and the old lady is awful, what happened to the blonde in 1st combined episode? I just can't watch it, that house reminds me of what I imagine a "woe" house looks like !! The writers are terrible...let's hope they improve..
13 - louise
My word, not one comment since mine, was hoping something had changed on that boring dead show.....I have stopped watching...sad
14 - Craig
This is a very, very bad show...period. One of the worst I've seen. Last nights show opened with a cab driver picking up a fare in the middle of the day in downtown L.A. He turns a corner and the guy pulls a gun on the cab driver, who manages to get away. He gets shot in the leg and then the Killer walks up and shoots the guy point blank. Magically there were no cars, no people, no cops...anywhere!!! Are you kidding me? Along with awful script writing, unconvincing characters, and a girl whose crazy left eye is so distracting, and you have a show that is very hard to watch. I have tried to give this show a chance, but I just can't watch it anymore.
The worst thing about this show is the people who might miss the show that follows, 'The Good Wife' which is a jewel in the CBS lineup and one of the best on Television. CBS...please kill this show!!!