NCIS:Tribes (Season 5)

Having dropped the pro-Iraq war stance that NCIS has held so dear for so long in favour of a pro-American soldiers stance (much more suitable if I may be so bold as to make social comment), the series continues the theme this week with an episode centering around the murder of an American Muslim marine for reasons that remain unclear until the end of the episode and, the catch of the episode, in a manner that is equally unclear. Ducky takes a moral stand by refusing to autopsy the body in line with his father's and his faith's wishes, much to Palmer's disagreement as he points out that, were the victim to be white or Christian, religious wishes would have absolutely no ground whatsoever to stop the autopsy.

Gibbs becomes the episode's cold, unfeeling brain, demanding an autopsy and holding the body until the case is solved, prompting him to be asked why he hates Muslims, although Gibbs merely replies that he doesn't. Ducky, of course, comes up with a solution to the autopsy situation that serendipitiously provides them with the manner of the victim's execution, and from there the episode merely looks for the one person who hasn't been blamed for the murder.

The social commentary is somewhat interesting as, although the Iraq war is no longer held in high regard, it's clear that the producers of NCIS want us to remember that Al Qaeda are still a very real threat, and while it is easy to condemn the American invasion of Iraq, it is equally quite difficult to condone the actions of Al Qaeda on 9-11. They did kill an awful lot of people for pretty much no real good reason to anyone who is not a mad Al Qaeda supporter. It's nice to see NCIS take a more liberal viewpoint on the whole situation.

Meanwhile, the characterisation of the regulars is on its usual top form; it's nice to see Ziva as the very sympathetic side of the team towards the Muslim, although once again DiNozzo and McGee are relegated back to being comedy backups as DiNozzo's love of movies is challenged by Ziva's study of the subject and McGee gets a big mug. Meanwhile, does anyone else think that there might be something going on between Gibbs and Abby? If there isn't, there should be!

"A-"