NCIS: The Thirteenth Season is another solid year for the venerable series and while not all 24 episodes were top level, more than enough were to make this one of strong years, however the departure of Weatherly’s DiNozzo will test the writers and cast as he is a hard actor and character to replace.
“NCIS”: The Thirteenth Season
(2015-16)
Genre(s): Crime, Drama, Thriller
Paramount | NR – 1013 min. – $55.98 | August 23, 2016
Date Published: 09/26/2016 | Author: The Movieman
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THE SEASON — 4.25/5 |
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Pretty amazing that NCIS, a little spin-off from JAG, would outlast its predecessor (by three years) but it’s easy to see why. The writing isn’t half bad and the stories compelling enough, however what has kept it going, and in turn kept fans on board as well as expand on the viewership, is with the core cast. Along with Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly and Sean Murray comprised the heart and soul though with Weatherly’s exit, it could see a challenge for the writers introducing no less than three new characters, but that’s for next season. Note: This review contains MAJOR PLOT SPOILERS. This thirteenth season provides an expansion for just about every character save for perhaps Rocky Carroll who makes an appearance or two but had an emotional arc for his character last season. Early on, there’s a heavy focus on Ellie (EMILY WICKERSHAM) and Jake’s marriage taking a B-plot line for several episode culminating with the pair getting divorced; McGee (SEAN MURRAY) and Delilah (MARGO HARSHMAN) relationship is close to taking the next step; Gibbs (MARK HARMON) more or less takes a backseat but gets some more depth in the season premiere following getting shot in the season 12 finale; and Anthony DiNozzo (MICHAEL WEATHERLY) basically takes center stage in the final two episodes with a finale where he got to show some real depth, though sadly those wanting to see Cote de Pablo make a cameo will be sorely disappointed (I was). There are the procedural shows, which I tend to enjoy, where it’s a one-off such as an episode where McGee and Bishop pose as a husband and wife couple (not that’s never been on this show before…); the team must hunt down a copycat sniper; an episode where Ducky’s (DAVID MCCALLUM) past gets further revealed as he discovers his long lost half-brother, whom he thought had died, might be alive and is in danger; and another episode finds the Secretary of the Navy’s (LESLIE HOPE) daughter kidnapped. There are some solid episodes and a couple that weren’t exactly gems (‘After Hours’ had its moments but was oddly paced). That said, I felt this season was a tad better than some that came before and unlike some, I like Emily Wickersham’s Ellie finding more of her voice now in her third season. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.5/5 |
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As with previous sets, the 6-discs are housed in 3 separate thin case tucked inside a cardboard slip case. Episode Commentaries – ‘Viral’ with Actors Rock Carroll (who directed), Sean Murray and Emily Wickersham; ’16 Years’ with Actor David McCallum, Director Mark Horowitz and Writer Brendan Fehily; ‘Sister City’ Parts 1 & 2 with Writers Christopher Waild and Christopher Silber; ‘Reasonable Doubts’ with Actors Michael Weatherly, Robert Wagner and Writers Frank COrdea and George Schenck Crossing Over: A Look at ‘Sister City’ (15:37) is a look at the cross-over episode between NCIS and NCIS: New Orleans. Boom (5:31) covers the technical and special effects used on the show, particularly explosives. Inside Season 13 (24:47) delves into the storylines and characters featured in the show’s monumental thirteenth season with sound bites with the cast and crew set against behind-the-scenes footage. The Definitive DiNozzo (14:15) finds Michael Weatherly, and his fellow cast members, looking back at his time and his favorite scenes throughout his 13 seasons and his final thoughrs on his departure. All’s Fair in Love and War (7:28) looks at the marital troubles between Ellie and Jake and their eventual split. The Agency Turns 50 (8:25) is an interview, conducted by Rocky Carroll, with real members of the NCIS. Deleted Scenes are available on ‘Reasonable Doubts’ and ‘Charade’ |
VIDEO – 4.0/5, AUDIO – 3.75/5
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| NCIS arrives on DVD through Paramount and shown in its originally televised 16×9 enhanced 1.78 widescreen aspect ratio. The video this time around more or less matches up with previous seasons where colors are more on the drab side, moving more towards naturals so there’s real pop to it, however the overall look is nice.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 track is, as with previous seasons, pretty good with a spattering of depth in particular on the opening theme and dialogue levels are clear and sound effects are fairly decent though hardly expansive. It’s a fine track that is more or less in keeping with how the show aired. (Copied from “NCIS” Season 11 DVD Review) |
OVERALL – 4.0/5 |
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Overall, NCIS: The Thirteenth Season is another solid year for the venerable series and while not all 24 episodes were top level, more than enough were to make this one of strong years, however the departure of Weatherly’s DiNozzo will test the writers and cast as he is a hard actor and character to replace, much harder than de Pablo or Alexander before him. |