TVSquad

(S07E15) Interesting episode of 'NCIS,' one that was somewhat fun, somewhat lighthearted, and even a little playful. Of course, there was still a dead body, and a chance for Gibbs to interact with an old adversary. We're a few weeks out from the Paris trip, but Tony and Ziva remain as cagey as ever about what happened... if anything happened at all in that hotel room. More on that and the 1971 Plymouth Barricuda hemi after the jump.

Gibbs was still on the mend from getting hit by a car saving McGee's life. And McGee was in dire need of rest from trying to keep up with the 'boss.' He even tried coffee with extra sugar, but caffeine only made McGee geekier.

There were a couple of strange connections on display, Jethro and Werth was one. Ducky suggested Gibbs felt responsible for Damon, like he owed him something. Perhaps it was more of an identification thing, with Gibbs seeing something of himself in the ex-Marine, Rambo type. Whatever, it put a potential dangerous animal -- McGee compared him to a bear -- in the midst. Damon Werth -- super Marine who washed out as a psyched out steroid case. Was he going to explode or remain true to the mission?

The other weird relationship is Gibbs and Tobias. It was fun to watch the push-pull between the two, but clearly they can work well together. They like each other, but they don't necessarily trust each other. Maybe a little. Joe Spano is always a welcomed return on 'NCIS.'

The scene when they pretended to run into Werth and Ziva at the gas station was priceless. Gibbs and Fornell were squabbling about the car -- a 1971 Dodge Charger that's actually one of Jethro's prized possessions -- and the bitching made them sound like an old gay couple. A very butch gay couple.

The cross-country truck business wasn't about contraband at all. It was transporting collectible cars as part of a wager between a couple of rich guys, and one was the killer. Abby, Gibbs and Fornell sussed out the truth, confirming it with the help of a magnet. Yes, old school forensics.

Other points of interest

-- Tobias: "This is a big deal, you letting me drive your car."
Gibbs: "Whatever, you already slept with my wife."

-- Tony referenced 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' and 'World's Greatest Athlete,' the latter with a 'young Jan Michael Vincent.' Only DiNozzo would remember 'Air Wolf' and the character Stringfellow Hawke. He's right; a very cool name for a character.

-- McGee responding to Gibbs' request to call Tony and Ziva: "Oh, you want me to get them out of bed. Their individual beds." What does McGee know?

-- In the end, Ziva's "see you later" to Werth got under Tony's skin. Again, we wonder, what's up with Tony and Ziva? Was he curious or jealous?

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