Finally an episode that is mostly about the main story and main reason for the show solving crimes and getting the bad guy. Now lets hope they can stick to that and start the who dun its being more armed services centered.
10 Reviews
An exiting story again
cpotato101012 May 2021
This one is much closer to what NCIS once was.
Most of the episode is devoted to the main story, with the evolving thread from the initial casualty to the danger to Phineas, and even Gibbs.
As for Gibbs giving Lucy to Phineas, perhaps that is an indication that Gibb's suspension is coming to an end.
And how will Gibbs get that boat out of his basement? Another "unseen improvement"?
Most of the episode is devoted to the main story, with the evolving thread from the initial casualty to the danger to Phineas, and even Gibbs.
As for Gibbs giving Lucy to Phineas, perhaps that is an indication that Gibb's suspension is coming to an end.
And how will Gibbs get that boat out of his basement? Another "unseen improvement"?
God bless Karri Turner!
dtucker8612 May 2021
JAG was always one of my favorite shows. Even though it has been sixteen years since it went off the air I still think it stands shoulders above what's on tv today. My favorite character on the show was the sweet, wonderful Navy Lieutenant Harriet Roberts played by the wonderful actress Karri Turner who has a small part on this episode as Phineas Aunt Mickey. There is a difference between someone who plays a hero and one who IS a hero in real life and Karri is a singular example. She has dedicated so much of her time to touring with the USO overseas entertaining and supporting our troops. Except for Bob Hope and Gary Sinise, I don't think there is a celebrity who has done more for veterans then Karri Turner. Even though she is only in this episode for a minute or two at the end, it brought back so many fine memories for me and she has aged very well.
This is a really fine episode in every other way as well. It shows Gibbs as an aging lion in twilight. That boy that plays Phineas is a really awesome little actor and I love his character because for a change he is a polite and respectful kid. The chemistry between him and Gibbs is just amazing, its like a grandson and grandfather. There is a touching moment when they both share their loneliness and in the end Gibbs gives Phineas his dog. I have heard that Mark Harmon might be leaving the show after eighteen years (he has played Gibbs for over a fourth of his life 412 episodes!). I hope he enjoys his retirement and at least he is going out on top!
This is a really fine episode in every other way as well. It shows Gibbs as an aging lion in twilight. That boy that plays Phineas is a really awesome little actor and I love his character because for a change he is a polite and respectful kid. The chemistry between him and Gibbs is just amazing, its like a grandson and grandfather. There is a touching moment when they both share their loneliness and in the end Gibbs gives Phineas his dog. I have heard that Mark Harmon might be leaving the show after eighteen years (he has played Gibbs for over a fourth of his life 412 episodes!). I hope he enjoys his retirement and at least he is going out on top!
A welcome return
lor_3 July 2023
I always enjoy when this series goes after bigger game, not just the usual police procedural of who killed a navy person and why. This segment includes some significan national securities which may be at play, alongside the murder mystery.
It's enjoyable to see Mark Harmon left on the sidelines (so as to focus on the team's intrinsic competence on their own) while still giving him shtick to do (the current latter-day episodes suffer from Harmon having been written out of the series entirely). And the banter and interplay of the regulars with romantic elements dangled for comedy relief works well to balance the more serious moments.
Then the big plot switch satisfyingly brings Harmon back into the foreground, with the returning character of the lovable kid he bonded with back as a key element of the story, even slipping in the meaning of its cryptic sort of title.
It's satisfying, well-scripted and acted entertainment in the NCIS tradition.
It's enjoyable to see Mark Harmon left on the sidelines (so as to focus on the team's intrinsic competence on their own) while still giving him shtick to do (the current latter-day episodes suffer from Harmon having been written out of the series entirely). And the banter and interplay of the regulars with romantic elements dangled for comedy relief works well to balance the more serious moments.
Then the big plot switch satisfyingly brings Harmon back into the foreground, with the returning character of the lovable kid he bonded with back as a key element of the story, even slipping in the meaning of its cryptic sort of title.
It's satisfying, well-scripted and acted entertainment in the NCIS tradition.
Still nothing to write home about
harrykivi5 October 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The 18th season of "NCIS" started off very well, but then got consistently worse, "Gut Punch" and "True Believer" being really bad. "Unseen Improvements" is an interesting title, because improvement are indeed nowhere to be seen here. It's not an awful episode, but there are thousands of other stories I would watch for the second time.
Let's start with the good aspects.
. The production values of the episode are great. "Unseen Improvement" is well-directed, liked the music and the performances. Mark Harmon has agreed always had great chemistry with kids.
. There are relatable themes (like loneliness) touched upon and moments of suspense here. The mystery is fine this time around.
But....
. The humor is quite infuriating at times. The scene with the tablet was awkward at best and the stuff with Casey really annoyed. The subplot about Torres and Bishop is another one of those storylines I've never gotten behind. Actually find this subplot rather dumb. I have had more chemistry with girls I haven't dated than Bishop and Torres. The dialogue's at times quite bland too.
Overall, average at best.
5/10 HK.
Let's start with the good aspects.
. The production values of the episode are great. "Unseen Improvement" is well-directed, liked the music and the performances. Mark Harmon has agreed always had great chemistry with kids.
. There are relatable themes (like loneliness) touched upon and moments of suspense here. The mystery is fine this time around.
But....
. The humor is quite infuriating at times. The scene with the tablet was awkward at best and the stuff with Casey really annoyed. The subplot about Torres and Bishop is another one of those storylines I've never gotten behind. Actually find this subplot rather dumb. I have had more chemistry with girls I haven't dated than Bishop and Torres. The dialogue's at times quite bland too.
Overall, average at best.
5/10 HK.
Annoying Punk Kid Keeps Coming Back
Johnny_West13 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
So Gibbs killed Phineas' Mom a couple of seasons ago, because she was the spy that wanted to kill Ziva "The Diva" David. In spite of the fact that Gibbs put a cap in his Mom, little Phineas keeps coming back to Gibbs as some kind of grumpy old grandfather figure.
This time Phineas shows up after his real dad, the international terrorist, tries to kill his foster parents. How did the kid walk across the entire county to find Gibbs without a GPS or cellphone?
The Scooby Doo Crew is behind the curve, like usual, but Gibbs saves the day. The idea that the only person Phineas loves and trusts is the guy who killed his Mother, is not just sad but cynical.
This time Phineas shows up after his real dad, the international terrorist, tries to kill his foster parents. How did the kid walk across the entire county to find Gibbs without a GPS or cellphone?
The Scooby Doo Crew is behind the curve, like usual, but Gibbs saves the day. The idea that the only person Phineas loves and trusts is the guy who killed his Mother, is not just sad but cynical.
Another poor story
ak202029 May 2021
I am astonished that so many reviewers caould give this episode such high ratings.
The story is full of holes and soppy. The actual basis of it could have been developed into a worhtwhile episode, with some degeree of tension and excitement, but the writers persist in diluting each episode with back stories and sentimentality - turning NCIS into just another soap opera.
The story is full of holes and soppy. The actual basis of it could have been developed into a worhtwhile episode, with some degeree of tension and excitement, but the writers persist in diluting each episode with back stories and sentimentality - turning NCIS into just another soap opera.
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