When I saw the previews for this episode of NCIS, called “Newborn King”, I was fairly certain that it was just going to be one big Christmas cliché. While I wasn’t exactly wrong, I was surprised at how well they pulled it off. I should have known that the writers of this show wouldn’t let me down. Sure it had all the normal Christmas cliché’s
(actually let’s start calling them “references” – that sounds a lot better), but the way they put them in made all the difference. For instance some of the dialogue flat out quoted Christmas songs/movies, and the rest of the…erm references were done so tongue-in-cheek that I found myself laughing along (not flinching or groaning, as I’d expected).
Even THE Christmas reference, you know the one – a woman gives birth on Christmas Eve, not in a hospital and the baby is delivered by someone who is not a doctor – even that one turned out to be so much more than I expected. It pulled out an emotional response that hit me harder than I thought. Because you know how that whole bit was supposed to be sappy and so, so very cliché? Well all that went away the moment that Ziva started killing people while it was happening. A silly sitcom this is not.
Then there was the final scene. What can I say about that one that isn’t going to involve me getting emotional again? Probably nothing so I’m just going to go for it. This show once again pulled out an amazing ending between Tony and Gibbs. Each time they do it (whether it’s on Gibbs’ couch or in his basement) seems to get better than the last. Everything in this one – from Tony wondering to Gibbs if maybe he was ready for a family now, to Gibbs ordering him not to make his mistakes but learn from them – was absolutely perfect. Now who knew THAT would be the scene that would make me cry?
My favorite bits…
Christmas reference number one – no room at the Inn.
Okay, I don’t remember “two armed men” being a part of The Twelve Days Before Christmas.
McGee and Ziva grilling Tony about the Christmas card from his ex- fiancé.
“To what do we owe this lovely sweater vest?” – Interesting. First Dean in an episode of Supernatural a couple weeks ago and now Jimmy. Who knew the sweater vest was making such a big comeback?
Palmer describing Brina’s father’s reaction to asking him to marry his daughter.
Is it just me or is Tony looking particularly sexy in this episode? I am particularly enjoying the jacket he’s wearing in this one.
Aw, so sweet of Gibbs to talk up Jimmy in front of his future father-in-law.
Ed daring to mouth off to Gibbs. Not smart, dude. Not smart.
Ed mouthing off to Ducky now, too? Oh no he didn’t!
Abby calling Ed a “Grinch-in-law” – Haha! Love it.
“What do you know about it? You a leather neck?”
“How do you think I got this hair cut?” – You know, Gibbs isn’t known for cranking out the one-liners, but when he does, he can send me into hysterics. This one did exactly that.
“What do you think I am? Your elf?” – aaaand now I’m picturing Tony in a green outfit and tights.
Ziva’s little grin when Emma talked about how sand could get into some pretty inconvenient places.
Once again totally wanting that sweater that Abby is wearing.
Christmas reference number two – a newborn king.
Christmas reference number three – three kings.
Abby putting Ed in time out. Have I mentioned how much I heart Abby?
Christmas reference number four – Ed as Ebenezer Scrooge.
“Brina will be happy if YOU are happy. Tell that to Mr. Ed.” – Wait. Jimmy’s talking to a horse?
Snowy night. Broken down car. Pregnant woman. Christmas Eve. Gee I wonder what’s going to happen now?
Gibbs telling Emma not to push. Har.
Finding out that Gibbs wasn’t there when Kelly was born. Aw, poor Gibbs.
McGee and Tony using cookies as a lie detector test. Pretty darn brilliant, I must say.
McGee and Tony figuring out where Gibbs and Ziva were hiding out with Emma. Like I said, brilliant.
Yes! Jimmy finally growing a pair and giving Ed a piece of his mind. I think it must be the sweater vest.
The montage of violence and birth to the tune of a haunting version of Silent Night.
Gibbs giving one of the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen on this show, when he handed the baby to Emma.
“It’s Christmas dad, you didn’t miss it.” – Christmas reference number five
“Mother and child are fine.” – Christmas reference number six.
Ebenezer, erm I mean Ed telling Jimmy not to work too hard because he wanted them to have babies someday. Aw!
Gibbs telling Tony that he’d made the same mistake twice.
That entire final scene between Tony and Gibbs in the basement (see opening comments above as to why).
The holiday message to the troops.
What did you think of this episode of NCIS? Got any favorite bits or least favorite bits of your own? I’d love to hear from you!
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