Customer Reviews

NCIS Naval Criminal Investigative Service - The Complete First Season

5 star:		(131)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Television is an medium which cannibilizes its own successes, where one hit show inspires more variations on the same formula every pilot season. Those shows that invariably succeed do so because they take a formula and make it unique to their show. This is the case with NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service. It first appeared to be a combination of CSI and JAG, not shocking considering JAG producer Bellisario's involvement as creator and executive producer and CSI's overwhelming success. What it showed throughout its first season is that NCIS stands out in its own right through clever writing and great acting, making for solid, entertaining TV drawing a devoted fan base.

NCIS is the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, responsible for crimes by and against members of the United States Navy and US Marine Corps. The team of NCIS agents introduced in Season 1 is led by former Marine Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a tough no-nonsense leader and interrogator. The team also includes ex-homicide detective Special Agent Anthony DiNozzi (Michael Weatherly), former Secret Service Special Agent Kate Todd (Sasha Alexander), goth forensics expert Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), computer specialist and rookie Agent Tim McGee (Sean Murray),(McGee appears in a cameo role 6 episodes in and quickly becomes a reoccuring character. By season 2 he is a full timer) and quirky coroner Doctor Donald "Ducky" Mallard (David McCallum). Each actor does an exceptional job developing their character, especially Perrette who makes Abby one of the best and most intriguing characters on TV.

In Season 1, the team investigates a broad range of crimes from the apparent parachute death of a Marine, sniper attacks against a Marine recruiter, the disappearance of a service member, and the infiltration of a Navy base by a suspected terrorist. The twists and turns are frequent and the tension is kept high. The dialogue between the team members while on the case is especially fun, the writers really making an effort to hint at deeper personalities while keeping a balance between funny and dramatic. There are some minor stumbling blocks, occasional episodes that are less than perfect, but overall , Season 1 was a runaway hit. Expect NCIS to remain a top show for CBS for many more years.

The Season 1 box set contains 23 episodes, for a total running time of almost 17 hours. It begins with Yankee White, the first offical NCIS episode. It does not contain the 2-Part JAG episodes (the murder of LT Loren Singer) that introduced the NCIS team and concept. The set is in Dolby Stereo and 16x9 widescreen, and contains three featurettes: Creating Season 1, Building the Team, Defining the Look. The featurettes run about 20 minutes each, and have some great interviews with the cast and creater Bellisario. There is also an audio commentary by Bellisario for episode "Yankee White". This box set is a must buy for NCIS or JAG fans and for fans of solid, entertaining television shows that don't insult your intelligence. Order your box set today and start working the case!

A.G. Corwin
St.Louis, MO

I recently got hooked onto the series, and found myself studying it, and the history surrounding it. While the characters were introduced on JAG, the term "spin-off" I didn't think appropriate for it. For those who have seen many of the Bellisarius productions, they seem to swing between emphasis on interpersonal relationships (Magnum, Quantum Leap) and strongly patriotic vehicles (Airwolf, JAG), with the shows having the better developed characters being the stronger shows.
This is why--and Don Bellisario backs this up in interviews--NCIS seems to lean more towards Magnum in terms of of how the characters react towards one another, and the quirks that play out with them. Mark Harmon's Gibbs--the lead investigator; doesn't work well with authority or other agencies (or his ex-wives), coffee-addicted, carving a boat in his basement, and known for his "mysterious redhead" companion. Michael Weatherly's DiNozzo--the jock who won't grow up, making a pass at anything with a skirt. Sasha Alexander's Kate--in an homage to "Moonlighting", becoming Maddie to DiNozzo's David; while being the mature and smarter part of that combination. Sean Murray's Tim McGee--yeah, he's the computer nerd. But women are seeing SOMETHING in him. Especially Abby. Which brings us to Pauley, Pauley, Pauley--Miss Perette takes our classic concept of a Goth chick and throws it out the window in a spectacular fashion, with her peppiness and her open attraction for the men in the office. It is David McCallum though that really brings the Magnum memory into clear relief. Think about John Hillerman's Jonathan Higgins on Magnum--know it all because he's seen it all. Put him in a lab coat and give him more and lighter hair, and we have Ducky Mallard.
Clearly, NCIS isn't JAG, and it certainly isn't even close to being related to the CSI franchise. There's a fun in the drama that plays out in every episode that leaves the viewer giggling while anticipating the action, and that's what makes the Season 1 set so entertaining.

If you want to know if you'll like this show read the first part of this review:

Are you someone who likes drama shows? Particuarly crime drama shows? If yes, continue on then.
Are characters that are easy to fall in love with important to you? Are you a human that enjoys a good laugh? Do you cherish the sweet moments on television?And do you crave out-of-your-seat tension that will keep you up all night wondering what will happen in the next episode?
If you said yes to all of these things, I guarantee that you will love this show!

And here is my personal take on NCIS:
I like crime dramas like CSI, Law and Order, JAG, and such. I also like thrillers like LOST. But I also like SpongeBob SquarePants.
CSI is okay, but it doesn't really have the laughs that I like in a show.
Law and Order is nice, but the relationships between the workers are too perfect.
LOST is nice, but once again, no laughs, no 5+star ratings.
NCIS has the wonderful combination of all of these show into one. It will leave you laughing, crying, or staying awake staring at the ceiling hating Dave Bellisaro.
I won't go on about the characters, because there are about 6 reviews talking about them.
I just wanted to give my take on this show. It is by far, my favorite show on the network.

I started watching NCSI because Mark Harmon stars in it but I thought I'd have to see some gruesome things I didn't want to see as a trade off. I soon found out they don't fill my screen with a bloody mutilated horror show every week for shock value like some of the other CSI shows I've seen. I get to watch my favorite actor and his co-stars weave a great, suspenseful, dramatic, actual story to keep me entertained, without icky stuff imprinting on my brain! Too bad I can only give up to five stars, I'd give this show a galaxy! :)

Finally the DVD version arrives. I have been waiting for DVD box since i saw the first episode on hallmark tv channel here in czech rep. I got many friends to watch the tv show and debates about the newest episodes are big part of our talks. NCIS is one of the best and clearly the most entertaining criminalistic TV shows of all times.

Its not only the great plots in each episodes with very surprising revelations. Its the magic of the characters being performed by great team of actors. I love the tension between Tonny and Kate, the coffee addiction of Gibson and Abby is simply charming with her pigtails and ruby red lips. The humor is better than what we can experience in many sitcoms and it is not ruined by "fake" laughter.

this one is simply going straight to my basket.

As a fan of criminalisc shows such as CSI, Law and Order,Numbers, and so on; I think that NCIS is probably the best. The plotlines are filled with suspense and its not just a show where they blow up things. There is some blowing up, but not enough to become boring to those that like the thinking and crime-solving part of show. This show is the best show on television,so watch it.

Right now this is the best show on tv..better then any of the CSI or Law and Order show...The Cast work together so well it's amazing.

NCIS is not JAG (which it was spun off from) nor CSI (which is was compared to and on the same network) nor is it Law and Order Criminal Intent (a show in a similar vein). Naval Criminal Investigative Service is a real life investigative agency, investigating miltary crimes connected to Navy . These show are not like Dragnet or the FBI , which use to take cases from these agencies.

Mark Harmon leads the team playing Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs with a cool aire in his step. With his second in command the con man-ish (think FACE from the A-Tean) Anthony Dinozzo (played by Dark Angel's Computer whiz Michael Weatherly-in a role more suited for his talents) and ex secret service Agent Caitlin Todd (Sasha Alexander) (who joined in the first episode). Doing medical for the team is "Ducky" Mallard (played by the EX Man from UNCLE's David McCallum). With Goth princess /Forensic Specialist Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette)rounding the team, they take on the unique and bizarre cases, which seem to have a ring of truth in today's world

Their methods are sometimes unorthodox, but always effective. Interesting TV. It does intrigue, however the mystery draws you in. This 6 disk 23 episodes will NEVER bore you, I will say that!

The extra have documentaries. The first episode has some insightful commentary by writer/producer/director Donald Bellisario.

However what is missing is the three part JAG episodes that introduced the NCIS program, which ran as part of the JAG series
Well maybe in season two of NCIS box set, just like Universal DVD did with The Rockford Files pilot, which it placed on Season two box set of Rockford.

So is it worth it, It is good solid smart mysteries that with makes you think , with a likeable cast, Go get it!

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

It's about time this came out on DVD, the most underated TV show that's out IMO. It has great scripts, acting and the humour is the perfect mix. Thank god for multi region dvd players, but someone tell me it will be out soon on Region 2 as well.

As a UK citizen I will have to wait an age to get my mits on this boxset - but it will be worth the wait. As a huge West Wing fan, I like my shows to be fast paced, intelligent and fun, and Bellisario certainly delivers. (Couldn't expect anything less from the creator of Quantum Leap!). The characters are complicated and captivating, and I love the squabbling between Kate and Tony; they are like siblings but you know they do care really. I loved Mark Harmon in season 3 West Wing and was thrilled when NCIS came to FX! Better than JAG!!