NCIS - Choke Hold - Review + POLL: "The Cold War and the new Tiva"
19 Oct 2014
DV NCIS ReviewsIt was quite a Cold War on this week's NCIS as a Russian Counselor seemed to be giving NCIS misinformation. We also met Tony's supposed new love interest in the form of FBI agent Leia Pendergast.
The episode starts with two men finding a supposedly dead Navy research scientist in a park. However, the woman appears to be still alive when she opens her eyes. The next day NCIS is called to the crime scene but Ducky is there too. The team learns that the scientist has died as her head was cut off when she was moved into the ambulance. The murder weapon appears to be some sort of garotte. The scientist's boss later explains that she was recruited from Russia, and that her former co-worker Nelly Benin is still there. While the two are professional rivals, they are also best friends.
The Russians come back into play when Gibbs and Tony are called to a secret meeting by Vance. While Tony has to guard the door, Gibbs, Vance and SecNav discuss the scientist's murder and SecNav tells them she has information from a foreign embassy. That information comes from Russian Counselor Anton Pavlenko, whom we see in the season premiere trying to help Gibbs and McGee when their helicopter was shot down. Pavlenko tells them Benin killed someone in Russia and now works for Sergei Mishnev, the terrorist responsible for said helicopter shooting. To find her, NCIS has to work with FBI Special Agent Leia Pendergast. They track down Benin but she says Sergei is responsible for the Russian's death and that Sergei offered her to work for him. The fact that she's in danger shows when a hit woman almost gets to her in the restroom. Benin asks for asylum in the United States. However, Pavlenko learns that NCIS is holding Benin and asks for her to be transferred back to Russia.
Meanwhile, the hit woman is identified as Renata Atal, who uses strange murder weapons to carry out her hit killings. When Pendergast takes Benin to the airport, she notices she's being followed. They are indeed followed by Atal, but Tony calls Leia to tell her they have been following her follower. When Atal is surrendered, she uses a garrote to kill herself. That might have been one of the most gruesome moments the series has ever done.
Benin is still handed over to Pavlenko as NCIS can't find any evidence connecting Pavlenko to either Atal or Sergei. As the team is ready to give Benin to Pavlenko in the NCIS garage, Benin takes Pendergast's gun and threatens to shoot the Russian Counselor. However, Pendergast pulls another gun and kills her. Pavlenko is shocked but at least he doesn't have a problem anymore. After he leaves, a furious SecNav asks for an explanation, and it is shown Benin is still alive and well. Pendergast had blanks in her gun.
This was a good episode. I didn't expect them to come back to the Sergei arc so soon. I was definitely surprised that the episode started with a 'Previously on NCIS' so early into the season. Sure, I had read in the press release that Pavlenko would return, but I thought that the case would be unrelated to Sergei. It will be interesting to see how the story continues throughout the season. Maybe we will see Benin again? Honestly, I thought she really died when Pendergast shot her. The show has done this 'fake killing' multiple times before and yet it still manages to surprise me in this episode. Maybe I was just naïve, but I have to compliment the writers for catching at least one NCIS viewer by surprise in that final twist. Also kudos for coming up with a new murder weapon twelve seasons in, and for having one of the most gruesome scenes of the show.
Of course, in this episode we were also introduced to Leia Pendergast, Tony's supposed new love interest. Honestly, I don't know what to think of her just yet. From what we have seen so far, I don't dislike her but I'm not all in for 'Teia' (Tony + Leia) just yet. She doesn't appear to be much of an original character, with the usual daddy issues being all too familiar. I believe I need more time to form an opinion on Pendergast.
However, I am curious to see what you all think about her and 'the new Tiva'. That's why I have a poll below where you can share your vote. Please tell us what you voted in the comments below, and while you're at it, also tell us what you thought of the episode overall. You can also watch the promo for Tuesday's all-new episode, "The San Dominick", below.
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I can (reluctantly) accept a new love interest but I'll always miss Ziva/Tiva. Definitely not going to
ReplyDeletebe the same.
Absolutely! Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo had such amazing chemistry that it's so hard to top that. They won't every find anyone who will have the same chemistry with MW as CdP did.
ReplyDeleteHere we go with the Zbots. She is gone, she was a drag on the show. I am glad she is gone, I hope they have a scene where they get the call she is dead so you all will hush up about it. Yes, please, get him another love interest, I don't care who, so you all will finally shut up about it.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Jacobsen was great!!!
ReplyDeletePlus, since there never was a Tiva there can't be a "new" Tiva. And, if you're going to insist of the stupid name combining thing go with Leny.
She is just a bimbo with fleshy lips. I don't like her. She isn't natural!
ReplyDeleteI'm very cool with the idea of Tony having a mostly off screen romance. I like Pendergast alright but am not sure she ought to be "the one". She seemed a little too severe for Tony. Not as severe as Ziva (who I deplored), but still she was sexy without being feminine. i'd like to see Tony with someone who has a more gentle personality.
ReplyDeleteTo say that Michael Weatherly would have NO chemistry with another actress is bullcrap. The man is a top actor and I would love to see him as the next James Bond. Don't insult him by insisting that he can only be with an actress that left the show of her own free will.
ReplyDeleteI know right? Michael Weatherly has chemistry with everyone he shares scenes with. That's one of the things that makes his scenes pop with even the most mundanely written situation. The question is what kind of character should they get for Tony's love interest? My vote goes to a more gentle, feminine, but capable strong and professional without being - in your face - about it. I like Jeanne a lot.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a disgusting and crass comment. You are a sad, sad person.
ReplyDeletePlease stay polite in the comment section. Don't attack other commentors personally based on their opinion. Everybody has the right to their own opinion.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, I might have to rephrase that. What I'm trying to say is that Michael and Cote had great chemistry which is hard to top. However, it took some time to get this chemistry. I'm thinking that's always the thing: it takes time to develop this chemistry. Weatherly is a great actor indeed! I would love to see him as the next James Bond!
ReplyDeleteI liked Jeanne too! Never really got the hate towards her.
ReplyDeleteLeny is a good one too, lol.
ReplyDeleteI certainly didn't dislike Stephanie Jacobsen, but I think she just needs some time to grow on me.
I liked her acting and liked the character. I believe Tony is, at heart, a slacker and needs someone to keep him alert. Gibbs does that at work. I, however, would not have hired someone with dark features. It just opened a door that didn't need to be opened.
ReplyDeleteMostly off screen is where all the team's romances need to be.
ReplyDeleteTony only became a slacker when Bellasario was fired as show runner. In the first four seasons Tony got the job done but and knew his stuff. When he goofed off it was because he had already gotten the job done. Once Brennan took over as showrunner, Tony lost about 30 IQ points, his work ethic, and many of his formerly possessed skills. They, along with his cajones were put on a silver platter and given to Ziva. While Tony's significance as an agent hasn't come anywhere close to early seasons (largely due to the fact that Gibbs is the center of ALL important arcs, danger scenarios, and pivotal scenes) Tony is at least not demeaned on weekly basis. I would love to see Tony as the central player in a well thought out, danger filled crime arc but have virtually no hope that this will ever happen again since Gibbs must have it all.
ReplyDeleteBefore I comment, let me preface by saying I'm not a 'shipper, it doesn't bother me that Ziva is gone, I never thought 'Tiva' was a big deal, and I like Bishop. Okay, now that I got that out of the way...
ReplyDeleteI wasn't feeling this new character at all.
* First, I don't like her name. "Leia Pendergast." It's like the writers randomly picked first and last names from a hat.
* Second, everything about her character and her interactions with Tony scream "trying too hard."
* Lastly, Tony's attraction to this woman is making him act like season 1-4 Tony and that's way too juvenile for me after all these years.
It can't be TIVA without Ziva.
ReplyDeletePendergast WAS awful! Rude, arrogant, cheap...
ReplyDeleteAnd now I know why Jacobsen didn't sound familiar...I don't watch the sort of shows where women look like playmates...
I don't care about the Ziva haters, Cote de Pablo needs to return!
The new TIVA? Ridiculous idea!
I don't know why every says chemistry takes time. It doesn't. He had instant chemistry with Cote de Pablo in their very first scene. Of course he can have chemistry with other actresses, but it won't be as good. Just MHO.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
ReplyDeleteyes ..the chemistry it is Big..
ReplyDeleteI dont know. Sasha Alexander had chemistry with Weatherly too. Seems a long time ago now.
ReplyDeleteAt one point they were turning Tony into the new Gibbs, but I think Tony has realised he dosnt want to end up alone like that.
Thanks for the review, Daniel. I've kept away from spoilers so I was pleasantly surprised to see Tony with a potential new love interest (and to read in your review that that was the case so I knew for sure). I actually really liked her. I loved the way they interacted. She's firey and dishes it right back to him, which I think is good for him. He needs someone who keeps him on his toes. (And fights right back as he claims is his "type.") Tony is so fun with women that I have missed these types of interactions. I was hoping for a love interest this season!
ReplyDeleteI also wasn't expecting the Sergei arc to return so soon. But I did guess that Benin was alive. I hoped she was and waited to see if I was right. :)
Thanks again for the review and poll. I thought this was a really nice episode.
Thanks Tonya! It's good to keep away from spoilers, but I can't do it haha. Good to see that you liked Pendergast already, I need some more time to form a judgement on her. But overall, I liked the episode as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting! I agree that they were trying Tony/Leia too hard. Gibbs at one time said during the episode: "She's your girlfriend Tony". That was proof that the producers were trying to force us to already believe them as a couple.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a Ziva hater but I live in the real world. Cote de Pablo DOES NOT WANT TO RETURN! I'm sure if they kidnapped her and tied her on a set they could force her to be part of some scenes, but I doubt it would be very satisfying.
ReplyDeleteComing in an NCIS thread and watching it fill up with the primary school bickering is becoming very tiresome. How great would it be to have one conversation about this show that did not mention the actress that deserted us, and focused on whatever else is being discussed.
Thanks for the review Daniel, but please don't poke the elephant again and leave Diva out of it..
How do you know Cote doesn't want to return? She even stated that because they didn't kill Ziva off, there's always hope she can come back and Cote also stated that she's open to making guest appearances. So does that sound like somebody who doesn't want to return?
ReplyDeleteThat's the standard comeback when asked such a question. Open to guest appearances doesn't mean anything long term even if it happened. (which I doubt)
ReplyDeleteIn the meantime she's moved on. Give the show a chance to do the same.
Oh, I have and it sucks....the ratings are dropping even if they're still the most watched of the night. Gee, I wonder why they're slowly losing viewers? Have a good night. :-)
ReplyDeleteAgreed. The show pushed everything too hard and so the character and her interactions with Tony seemed completely artificial.
ReplyDelete