I really like Parker's dynamic with the team. Sure I'll miss Gibbs, I mean who wouldn't, but I'm really glad Parker is there. He works really well and his dynamic is different from Gibbs', which is nice. I'm excited to see where Parker takes the team. This was a good first episode with Parker officially on the team.
12 Reviews
Fresh start!! Good so far..
plutox-music2 November 2021
Some logic problems
frabark-727743 November 2021
It's really hard to believe that there is no resident NCIS investigation team in Norfolk. The team has to come all the way from DC to be first on the scene? And they seem to have some sort of teleportation device. I realize time has to be compressed for an hour show (42 minutes without the commercials) but they get to Norfolk instantaneously. Like before the body is cold. Before the fight is over. Have the show's writers ever driven south on I-95 then east on I-64?
Average
koohii26 April 2023
Average, but then again "Just Average" is a big step up from where the show has been. There are no scenes of people whining about characters no longer in the show, no moping or sappy schlock...
Instead we got a basic investigation that would logically be handled by NCIS, rather than some rando outside crime that is at-best tangentially related to the Navy.
Funny thing about blanks... it's not even the paper, but just the concussive force of the blast that can kill. The number of actors who have accidentally killed themselves by playing with guns loaded with blanks thinking that they were safe is... Depressing. Almost as bad as the number of parents that let their kids vape or use e-cigarettes because they think "Safer" is the same thing as "Safe."
Funny thing about blanks... it's not even the paper, but just the concussive force of the blast that can kill. The number of actors who have accidentally killed themselves by playing with guns loaded with blanks thinking that they were safe is... Depressing. Almost as bad as the number of parents that let their kids vape or use e-cigarettes because they think "Safer" is the same thing as "Safe."
What a relief!
spikeluvr3 November 2021
I was really worried about Gary Cole. He usually plays a cocky know it all. The last thing NCIS needed was tension between the team and the new "Gibbs". It's been exactly the opposite. The team is wary of anyone different than Gibbs but they're slowly giving him a chance and he's not pushing it. He's got a different skill set than Gibbs and the team seems to appreciate them. All in all it's a relief to know that the series can continue and be as close to the original as it can without Gibbs. Gibbs is virtually irreplaceable but they've come as close as they can.
Comparison of Old and New
pattysue573 November 2021
Tonight (11/2/21), I am watching old NCIS shows (Sundance TV). As much as I love Mark Harmon's acting, I think bringing in some "fresh faces" was needed. I actually believe Mark Harmon knew that and besides age, was part of his decision making process. By what I understand, Mark is still involved behind the scenes. NCIS needed a spark. Not to minimize the skill of the cast, but the show needed to be able to go in different directions.
Good honest slogging investigations work
hindsonevansmike3 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
The team settles into the normal run-of-the-mill investigations of a suspicious death.
Cue backgrounds on motivation and excellence, leadership and culture, pushy parents and honesty.
The team are gelling into one established unit and Gary Cole's character Alden parker is taking his time to come into the leadership role. Having effectively arranged to get himself "fired" from the FBI (by not-quite arresting Gibbs in Alaska back in S19Ep04) he needs to prove himself.
I predict that an actor of Cole's capabilities will be a great asset to NCIS from Season 19 onwards (I know that this was filmed in 2021 and S20 & S21 are now out live). Bluntly, it was time for Gibbs to retire.
Cue backgrounds on motivation and excellence, leadership and culture, pushy parents and honesty.
The team are gelling into one established unit and Gary Cole's character Alden parker is taking his time to come into the leadership role. Having effectively arranged to get himself "fired" from the FBI (by not-quite arresting Gibbs in Alaska back in S19Ep04) he needs to prove himself.
I predict that an actor of Cole's capabilities will be a great asset to NCIS from Season 19 onwards (I know that this was filmed in 2021 and S20 & S21 are now out live). Bluntly, it was time for Gibbs to retire.
Yay!
JosephFabeetz2 November 2021
Back to the good old days of solving crimes directly related to the Navy! No political lectures. No explosions and gun fights. No soap opera schmutz (and no office romance appears to be on horizon). Nice transition to new boss. NCIS, unlike its spin offs, is entertaining. Let's hope they stay on track!
Another fine episode!
harrykivi24 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Great seasons of "NCIS" seem to be gone, the last very good episode of this series was probably "No Vacancy". That being said, "False Start" is definitely not a bad episode, but there aren't a lot of new ideas here.
Let's start with the good.
. The production values of the episode are great. The direction's decent and the music fits the scenery. The main cast is good as usual. Am liking Gary Cole so far. Randy J. Goodwin has some touching scenes.
. The case is intriguing at times, there are relatable themes touched upon and I like that Parker is different from Gibbs.
But....
. The mystery agreed feels like something we have seen million times before. Not all of the humor works and the story did get quite silly (especially the storyline with the scientist). Some performances are not very good either. Zeus Taylor and Joshua Brockington felt a bit wooden.
Overall, a fine episode.
6/10 HK.
Let's start with the good.
. The production values of the episode are great. The direction's decent and the music fits the scenery. The main cast is good as usual. Am liking Gary Cole so far. Randy J. Goodwin has some touching scenes.
. The case is intriguing at times, there are relatable themes touched upon and I like that Parker is different from Gibbs.
But....
. The mystery agreed feels like something we have seen million times before. Not all of the humor works and the story did get quite silly (especially the storyline with the scientist). Some performances are not very good either. Zeus Taylor and Joshua Brockington felt a bit wooden.
Overall, a fine episode.
6/10 HK.
Unbelievable Trite
centaur113513 November 2021
I don't have a problem with the new team leader or new team members.
I have a problem with the script writing. It is an abysmal, un-plausible story. NCIS is known for good stories, but this story is comedic, not in a good way. It's like the show is contracted to turn out a story, and any old bilge will do to get one episode closer to the end of the contract. It's like they don't care. The actors did the best that they could with a poor script.
Sharpen up please, you can do better.
I have a problem with the script writing. It is an abysmal, un-plausible story. NCIS is known for good stories, but this story is comedic, not in a good way. It's like the show is contracted to turn out a story, and any old bilge will do to get one episode closer to the end of the contract. It's like they don't care. The actors did the best that they could with a poor script.
Sharpen up please, you can do better.
A full 18 years but
AYSMITH3 November 2021
At last an episode so unutterably boring that I started to fast forward through it to see if it would improve?
It didn't.
A yawnfest from start to finish with not one redeeming feature.
Only the bean counters can possibly want to keep this travesty going because I can't imagine the fans of a once great show will.
Sad, Sad, Sad.
It didn't.
A yawnfest from start to finish with not one redeeming feature.
Only the bean counters can possibly want to keep this travesty going because I can't imagine the fans of a once great show will.
Sad, Sad, Sad.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
