Navy CIS Dagger (2003– ) Online

After a great Format Breaker like "Cloak", a 9/10 episode, can "Dagger" deliver? Too often in the case of two-parters, if the first part is great, the second is a big letdown (many two-parters of The X Files come to mind). The opening credits raise bad omens: there are two writers, neither of which wrote "Cloak", and the director has changed. If there's one rule that should always be followed when making a two-parter (or a double-length episode such as a season ender), it is to have *one* team execute it from script to screen.

Fortunately, the episode begins promisingly. Unlike in the previous one, which had a magnificently labyrinthine script, this one *has* no option but to be straightforward because of the way things were set up at the end of the first part. And when it comes to the characters, there is, for example, a wonderful scene between Lee and McGee. We see a new side to Abby, which deepens her character - but there is also a typically hilarious Abby scene, this time between her and Vance. Ziva is consistently portrayed as the team's Sherlock Holmes, as well as the pragmatic spy. It's nice to see some friction between Gibbs and Ducky.

The plot? There's some surprises which make you go, "Of course! Why was I surprised? I should have expected this!" Which is lot better than writers pulling some illogical twist that sure does pull the rug from under the viewer, but requires the Man Behind It All to be omniscient (see Saw), therefore falling completely flat. Not so here. Also, the Man Behind It All has logical and realistic motivation for his actions, which may not be at all what the viewer expects. There's also a wonderful trick twist, which also makes perfect sense. However, in the climax, the writers fall into the cliché pit where everything is tied up nicely a bit too neatly and the American flag is waved patriotically a bit too forcedly and predictably. Sadly, this robs the episode one star, making it "only" a 8/10.

I love this show. The writing, the acting, the story lines, the action, the authenticity. These this make NCIS a great show to watch. That being said, this episode is pretty close to crap. I hate how everyone feels sorry for Lee and how they all allow her to explain her way into their forgiveness, after she killed 2 people, one of which was an agent, and she stole vital military secrets, commuting treason in the process. I don't understand why she wasn't treated more harshly, by being locked in the interrogation room instead being allowed to roam freely, or to be present during briefings. If anyone else would have done what she did Gibbs and the team would have locked them up until the situation was resolved. The character and story lines of Lee are some of the worst in this show.

I recommend skipping them entirely. - Last Man Standing, Cloak, Dagger

Is that two traitors well killed together. The rest of this episode is pure crap. As to the 'new' Abby alluded to, she should have been fired after the incident with Vance. The way she acted with Vance, and her obsession with over talking every time Gibbs asks her a question has finally put her a the top of the 'least favorite' character list, ahead of the obnoxious Tony. Don't get me wrong, Michael Weatherly is a great actor, it's just the Tony character that is bad. Can't say the same about Perette.

Once again a female character is killed off (Kate, Jenny, Paula), which seems to be an obsession with the writers and/or producers. At lest time the character deserved it.