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NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service: The Stories We Leave Behind (2024)
Goodbye David McCallum
Well folks, it's finally here. Dr. Mallard's goodbye episode. We all knew it was coming since the unfortunate passing of David McCallum. But it's here and it was amazing. In the previous episode, Jimmy calls the team to inform them about Ducky's passing. In this episode, we find out how and why. Now, the entire NCIS office is mourning the death of Ducky. I especially love the references to ALL the NCIS shows (including New Orleans) where each location sends flowers to the main location.
Not long after, Jimmy gets a visit from the daughter of a deceased soldier who was dishonorably discharged for deserting his troops and using drugs. She asked Ducky to help clear his name and help her get into a good college. But his unfortunate passing prevented him from finishing the job. Naturally, the team jumps in to help clear her father's name and finish Ducky's last case. Long story short, turns out a politician was involved to cover up his A55 with his involvement in drugs and pinned his crimes on the girl's father since he was his bodyguard.
This was a great episode and a great send off for David McCallum. This episode even included flashbacks to some of Ducky's best moments in the series. I would have given this episode a perfect 10 but I was disappointed that the politician didn't get arrested for his crimes. Instead, he suspends his campaign for Senate. He's a politician, they get away with just about everything. Of course, he probably made a deal with NCIS too. But no big deal!
At the end of the episode, we get treated to a surprise appearance by Tony DiNozzo himself, returning after eight years. I was surprised to see him return. It's great to see Michael Weatherly back on the show. Hopefully we'll see more of him on the show.
Great episode and RIP David McCallum 9.7/10.
NCIS: Hawai'i: Dies Irae (2023)
Down, Not Out
Charlie 1 is down folks! Charlie 1 is down! Jane is taken and tortured by Adrian Creel, who she thought was killed in a car bomb explosion years ago. Turns out he survived, and he wants payback. Thankfully, Jane escapes with help from Kate and Sam Hanna (I was not expecting him to come in and help out!) Jane is then reunited with her team, and they proceed to find Adrian and figure out what he wants. Turns out, Jane's mentor, Maggie Shaw, is involved in this ordeal and she has to help them bring Adrian out of hiding. Adrian needs more money from shadow accounts to go into hiding. Jane and Maggie find and take out Adrian, through unconventional methods, but Maggie escapes from the authorities. Will we see her again in Season 3? I would go with a definite "Yes". Also, it sounds like we're getting an existing character from NCIS: LA. Who's it going to be?
This series is starting to grow on me. It started off slow, but I am enjoying this show. Now to talk about the one issue I had with this episode, and it establishes who my least favorite character is. That would be Lucy Tara. Before I begin and before you start shooting me down with your homophobic rants, I want to make things clear that I will NOT BE making any homophobic comments about her. Her sexuality is NOT the reason why she's my least favorite character. There was a moment in this episode where I went, "Really, Lucy?" When Kate calls the team to explain that the situation down in South America went sideways, Lucy starts giving her compliments like, "Oh, you're such a beautiful agent in these situations." Lucy, your boss is in trouble, and you compliment your girlfriend? Where the heck did this come from? I'm a little ticked that Kate didn't even say, "Lucy, I appreciate the comment, but can it wait until this is over?" Good to know Lucy is worried about her girlfriend's beauty rather than the safety of her boss. I think Lucy has always been my least favorite character since the start of the show. When she went overseas for that special assignment, I actually enjoyed the episodes without her. I thought Kate would be my least favorite character, especially when we first met her at the start of the series. But she's growing on me and I love how she's willing to help out NCIS in any way. Will Lucy be more tolerable to me in later seasons? Maybe, maybe not.
Other than that, this episode was a great Season Finale. Looking forward to Season 3! 7.9/10.
CSI: Vegas: Dying Words (2023)
Josh Goes Rogue!
When we last left Josh Folsom, he witnesses his mother get into the car of a drug dealer and he throws a temper tantrum. We continue into this episode (the Season Finale) where Josh's mother and the drug dealer enter a warehouse and find a dead woman on the floor. Next thing we know, she gets killed by the drug dealer and his accomplice. Josh finds out and doesn't take it well. We find out more about Josh's past where he comes from a family that is struggling to make a living. Back in the present, Josh decides to take matters into his own hands and find out who killed his mother, with the help of his friend, Trey. You guys remember Trey from Episode 18? The guy who had a guy OD in his apartment. Well, Josh decides to bail him out of jail to help him find the people responsible for his mom's death. The boy has gone rogue, folks and it looks like it's a race between the CSI crew and Josh to find the suspect.
It's also quick to point out that Allie starts off her new position as Day Shift Supervisor. And she's already off to a good start by giving orders to the team on how to handle the evidence and find anything that connects to a suspect. Back with Josh and Trey, Trey finds someone who can help them find the dealers and the murderer(s) of Josh's mother. This suspect, Kahn Schefter, is hard to break and Josh has a trick up his sleeve...by making him slowly bleed to death through a knife cut he made on the suspect's wrist. It's interesting to see that this suspect is bleeding quite profusely. Soon, Kahn gives a name and Josh reveals he pulled a fast one on the man by cutting open two bags of blood he had with him. But, just as Josh is about to let the man go free, he finds the man had scratch marks on his arm. Earlier, they found skin cells under his mother's fingernails. Turns out the man was there when Josh's mother was killed! Josh is about to go berserk!
The episode ends with CSI finding Josh and Kahn, murdered and in a trash bin. It looks like Josh went over the line and ruined his career...or did he? Did he really kill Kahn? The bloody fingerprint on the picture of his mother seems to imply he did. Or is he covering for someone else? Trey is missing, folks. He wasn't with Josh when CSI came to arrest him. Is Josh covering up for Trey? And will CSI catch the drug dealer, Ramon? I guess we'll find out in Season 3!
A great episode to end the Season. Kept me on the edge of the seat. 8.7/10.
M*A*S*H: Dreams (1980)
A Hauntingly Unforgettable Episode
The doctors are working nonstop over 72 hours due to incoming wounded. And they have to sleep to regain their strength and stamina. As each doctor and Major Houlihan sleep, their dreams are not what they seem. Each of their dreams have one common theme: war. I can't really explain these dream sequences except that they are so haunting. I guess they represent how the war has affected their lives. I find it interesting how Potter's dream does not involve wounded soldiers but the enemy.
I wonder if this episode explains how the war affects soldiers and doctors who are risking their lives to serve their country. I never served in the military so I don't know if this is true. But I can believe it. I have watched movies and shows with soldiers that suffer PTSD and can have nightmares about being in a war. Maybe that's what this episode is like? About how the war can affect our minds? I mean the brain is a very powerful organ in our body. Maybe those who have been in the military can relate to this episode. I don't know...
Anyway, this episode is hauntingly unforgettable. There is no comedy, just drama. Kudos to Alan Alda for making this episode unforgettable. Watch this episode and maybe you can relate to it? 9.3/10.
CSI: Vegas: Shell Game (2023)
Ah Nuts!
A charismatic weatherman is found dead in a pistachio factory. Well that's new! And he's allergic to pistachios! You probably think that this was just a natural cause, right? It's never that easy for CSI. Naturally the CSI team investigates this and discover a scandal involving the Mayor. Ruh roh!
Meanwhile, Max is deciding who should be the Day Shift Supervisor. The lab is betting on who will get the job: Folsom or Allie. Both are qualified for the job but only one can get the job. Who's going to get the job? Place your bets! Meanwhile, Folsom is doing the Lone Wolf attitude as he tries to figure out what's going on with his mother since he found out she's been doing drugs. He's been keeping everyone in the dark, including his "girlfriend". And it looks like their relationship may be over. Thank you!!! In the end, they catch the bad guys and Allie gets the job. I wasn't surprised that she got the job. Will she do well? I guess we'll see what happens in the third season.
This episode was good. Better than the previous episode. I'm glad we're learning more about Folsom. He's one of my favorite characters. I'm also glad he and Serena broke up (maybe). I didn't like their relationship because it seemed like it was forced to drive a wedge between Folsom and Allie. But after watching this episode, it worries me that Folsom would do the same thing to Allie in the future.
The season finale is next week and based on the trailer, things aren't looking good for Folsom. Stay tuned folks!! 7.4/10.
CSI: Vegas: Dead Memories (2023)
Weekend at Bernie's: CSI Edition
Gene Farrow is back and this time he's the victim of a crime that involves the death of his aunt. But is he REALLY the victim or is he causing problems for CSI again? Anyone who remembers Gene Farrow, he was the second episode of this season where he was a suspect in a murder at a haunted house. He also made a CSI doll of Allie Rajan. Yeah, THAT's not creepy at all. Well, he still has the hots for her when he asks her for help in this investigation. So, the CSI team investigates this murder, and it turns out that Gene was not the victim but the culprit. He kills his aunt because of a safe she has that includes jewelry inside (I only saw this episode once so I could be wrong about what was inside the safe). He also tries to establish an alibi by inviting his weird friends over for a party with his dead aunt, gives them drugs to not remember what happened at the party, and gets a REALLY creepy girl to help him play the victim card. As stated in the episode, Weekend at Bernie's meets the Hangover.
This episode is...okay. It's not the best episode but it's not the worst either. Praises to J. P. Manoux for playing the creepy Gene Farrow again. There's also this subplot involving Max still reeling from her attack. Honestly, I feel that they've been dragging that for most of the season and it's getting tiresome. I understand that it sets up for what's to come in the upcoming episode but still... Oh, and Greg might become a professor at a university to teach Criminalistics. I guess that means we won't be seeing Greg anymore...or will we? The show has been renewed for a third season so, anything is possible. I am upset that he didn't play a big part in this episode like the previous ones. And once again, the chemistry between Folsom and Allie is stronger than what's going on between Folsom and Serena. I still don't understand why they made Serena sort of go out with Folsom. I mean, Folsom confided with Allie about what is going on with his family in light of recent events. Serena has no clue and Folsom continues to keep her in the dark. Allie has to tell her what is happening with him and Serena seems to be okay with it rather than be a little ticked off that Folsom told Allie and not her. I have a feeling Serena is going to end this "relationship" with Folsom probably at the end of this season and hopefully down the road, Folsom and Allie get together.
Also, what is with the hate Allie is getting? One of the reviews said nothing but bad things about her. Am I the only one that doesn't mind Allie? Anyway, I would recommend watching this episode once in a while. Not the best episode but watchable. 6.3/10.
CSI: Vegas: We All Fall Down (2023)
A Disappointing Ending
So the Silver Ink Card Killer Arc (or whatever it's called) comes to an end and I just have one word to say about this: Disappointing. Honestly, they should have ended this Arc on the previous episode. But no, they had to drag it out for ONE more episode. My question is, why? I mean, they finally caught the guy that was responsible for the killings. But here's the shocker, he's not responsible for this! Someone else is pulling the strings. Oh no...
So, the mastermind turns out to be really smart and wants to kill anyone he deems inferior or not as smart as him. Which is why he wants to kill everyone at a mental hospital. And the threatening cars he made for the CSI team; he just wants to scare them and get them off his behind. A typical lame CSI villain. This guy is just forgettable. Best part is we never find out why he made those cards with the freaky writing. Penny even asks him and all he does is just smiles at her and gets locked away. So, we're to make an educated guess that he did it just for giggles. This ended just as bad as the Miniature Killer from the original series where they never fully discuss why Natalie killed those people. I had to look up on Wikipedia to find out more about the Miniature Killer and why she killed her victims.
Oh, and the Medical Examiner gets poisoned by the killer but I'm really not too crazy about her. Her attitude is just annoying. I like the Black M. E. who has temporarily replaced her. They should keep him and let her go.
Aside from the good acting, this episode is just disappointing. I'm adding the Silver Ink Killer to my list of Lame CSI villains. He's right there with the 333 Stalker from CSI: NY. 3.2/10.
M*A*S*H: Love and Marriage (1975)
Love is Blind
Love is in the air as we see several American Soldiers get a check-up to marry Korean women. One of them is clean-cut Private Danny McShane (played by Dennis Dugan, who comes back to play Col. Potter's son-in-law in Season 11). McShane was seen earlier in the episode sucking up to Major Frank Burns for his performance. Hawkeye and Trapper see the woman McShane wants to marry and noticed she's been around the block longer than anyone else. Hawkeye and Trapper suspect something is up. Sure enough, they're right as they receive a visit from a "Doctor" Pak. The woman works for Pak who informs the doctors of his plan of having Korean women marry American soldiers, so they can move to the States and do some "night work". Basically, a free green card for these women. Pak then reveals that McShane is in on this sham. Turns out McShane is not so clean-cut as we had hope. Pak wants the two to okay the woman's physical but they refuse and tell him to buzz off. When Trapper reveals to McShane that his future "wife" has tuberculosis, McShane storms off in anger. I guess the wedding is off?
In another plot, Mr. Kwang, a Korean aide played by Oh-Soon Teck, wants to be reunited with his pregnant wife. Hawkeye, Trapper, and Radar try to help him by having Col. Blake sign R&R papers without his knowledge. But thanks to Hopalong Ferret Face, their plan is ruined. So, Hawkeye and Radar decide to bring his wife to him. On the way back, Kwang's wife goes into labor. Hawkeye delivers the baby with the help of the innocent Radar, who goes into a state of shock upon their return to 4077th.
This episode is great and brings an important message about who you meet overseas. Love can cloud your judgment about who you meet. Sure, you can think you may have found the one true love. But watch out for they may not truly love you and just want a free ticket to the Promised Lands. Sounds like TLC's 90 Day Fiancé. I never watched the show entirely but after seeing clips of it, I can see the drama. This episode also reminds me of a friend of my parents who met this Vietnamese girl and married her, thinking he found his one true love. My parents knew something was up and tried to warn him that this girl only wants to marry him to move to the US and do whatever she wants. Sure enough, not long after they got married, the girl got her green card and dumps the guy.
I don't know this from experience, but I would rather meet someone local. Again, this is a great episode. There are flaws but a good episode. It delivers an important message about the risks of who you meet in a different country. The acting is great too. I especially love the scene of Kwang's wife giving birth. Shout out to Gary Burghoff for his performance as the young, innocent Radar. 8.0/10.
M*A*S*H: Guerilla My Dreams (1979)
Looks Can Be Deceiving
I wasn't too fond of this episode, mostly because of Hawkeye and BJ's behavior. I thought it was Out-of-Character for them. I'm not military, though my dad was in the Air Force for 20 years, but after reading some of the reviews about how Hawkeye and BJ would be arrested and court-martialed for their behavior if this happened in real-life, I could believe that. The main issue with this episode is that everyone at MASH 4077 turned a blind eye to this woman. They think she's like every other Korean civilian they met. They never noticed how she tried to kill one of the patients and misread her actions as "trying to get away from Lt. Park". Even after she openly admitted her actions to the doctors, they still try to protect her from the firing squad. Really guys? I get Hawkeye and BJ are against the use of guns and the death penalty, but they need to understand that they can't interfere with other countries' rules. It's like the Prime Directive from Star Trek. You can't always get what you want.
Remember how Frank Burns treated every Korean Civilian as the enemy? Imagine if he was in this episode. He would rub the incident in Hawkeye's face and be all "I told you so!" and possibly threaten Hawkeye with a Court-Martial offense.
The acting is the only good thing in this episode. Mako gives another stellar performance as Lt. Park. I especially love the chess scene with Lt. Park and Charles. Other than that, this episode is...okay. It definitely earns a spot in my Top Ten Not-So-Good M*A*S*H Episodes. 5.2/10.
M*A*S*H: House Arrest (1975)
Watch Out for that Bar of Soap!
Okay, time to address the elephant in the room. While I consider this episode to be one of the funniest in the series, after reading the reviews, I can see why some people think this episode is bad.
First off, let me say that I actually felt bad for Frank because he REALLY did nothing wrong for once. So, Hawkeye chastises Margaret for her performance in OR, but that's only because an important Colonel is coming to MASH 4077. So, Margaret peer pressures Frank to "teach Hawkeye a lesson". His response is towel whipping Hawkeye. Now usually, Hawkeye just insults Frank and walks away. But instead, he PUNCHES Frank. Now, I'll admit, this is a bit out of character for Hawkeye. But then again, this isn't the first time he got physical with Frank (see Season 1 episode "Sticky Wicket" for more details). And to add insult to injury, Frank gets falsely accused of raping Colonel Reese (played by Mary Wickes) when she putting the moves on HIM. So, yeah, I felt bad for Frank in this episode.
So, everyone on here is talking about how Hawkeye gets treated as royalty for hitting Frank. I get why they're upset, but folks, you need to understand why this happened. NO ONE AT THE 4077 LIKES FRANK!!! Frank is an unlikable character that no one wants to hang out with. He thinks he's better than anyone at the camp and treats anyone who is below his rank like dirt. He acts all gung-ho when it comes to military tactics when in reality, he's nothing but a coward. Plus, I'm pretty sure the whole camp doesn't know the whole story of why Hawkeye punched Frank. They just give a big cheer because they don't like Frank. One of my favorite parts of this episode is Trapper giving his witness statement saying Frank "slipped on a bar of soap". And Hawkeye tried to catch him by "jamming his fist in Frank's eye" XD.
There's also the B Plot of Radar buying new shoes to make him taller. But Hawkeye tells him that he doesn't need the shoes to make himself taller. He just has to be himself and not change his image.
I read that some people believed this episode was the reason why McLean Stevenson and Wayne Rogers left the series. But I don't believe that is true. There were other reasons why they left. But this episode isn't one of them. Other than that, I still love this episode, regardless of the negative reviews I have read here. I do understand the hate which is why I'm giving this episode a 7. It's still an enjoyable episode.