Apparently this series seems the constant factor in my binchwatching life. It started with CSI and House, and for the English series a Touch of Frost. Ofcourse I finished House and Frost but from the still ongoing series, I'm still following NCIS including New Orleans and recently Hawaii. LA is more the CSI Miami variant of NCIS and equally annoying. NCIS succeed in keeping the cast interesting which keep it fall to boring. NCIS as well as CSI, the originals, seem to stick more to proper police procedure then the other variant's allthough the participation of the agent's in the securing buildings for arresting purposes or other investigations stil seems pretty stupid concerning the risk. Like you have a highly trained SWAT team who accept unknown and untrained agent's in there unit during a raid. That's ofcourse for cinematic reasons but it's another thing when one of the NCIS main characters decide to enter a home of an armed presumed killer on her own, not waiting at least for back up. And in this case they rang the door more then a day ago and nothing seems to be changed according to the officers guarding the house since. That's a bit to much, so I think they running out budget or something if they cutting corner of this believable procedure. And the blind fate put in a podcast about the case by this seasoned 'special' agents is also really disturbing. And then proclaiming they believe in the evidence and still say wholeheartedly he's guilty based on the podcast. And from that point the focus of the investigation seems to be proving he is guilty instead collecting evidence in and let the evidence guide the investigation. Funny that one of the officers who was certain of his guilt, completely turned around in believing he is innocent al based on her conversation with him. Like he was going to say, I'm guilty so arrest me. And with this obvious oversights and twisted perception of due process the public is fed in the general distrust of the law enforcement or think this is the way you can premature ruïne somebody's live by publicly convict innocent suspects. Real responsabel approach from the writer's I want to conclude. For entertainment value still a six but hopefully an exception off the writer's.
12 Reviews
A fine episode
harrykivi28 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Katie White, the writer of this episode, wrote "In a Nutshell" in the 17th season "In a Nutshell" had a great premise, but the execution of the idea did not fully deliver. "The Wake" is a better episode, but the story could have been better.
Let's start with the good.
. The production values of the episode are great. "The Wake" is quite well-directed, the music fits the scenery. The acting's solid. Out of the guest stars Mike Erwin gives a compelling performance.
. The mystery has its moments. Was quite intrigued by White's examination of how a false accusation can ruin someone's life and how podcasts cannot be taken for granted. The solution to the mystery was fine too.
But...
. The humor did not always work for me. Casey is still not a compelling character and a scene with a Cyber team member felt unnecessary. The mystery could have benefited from few more twists and colorful characters. The murderer is quite anonymous throughout this case.
Overall, a fine episode.
6/10 HK.
Let's start with the good.
. The production values of the episode are great. "The Wake" is quite well-directed, the music fits the scenery. The acting's solid. Out of the guest stars Mike Erwin gives a compelling performance.
. The mystery has its moments. Was quite intrigued by White's examination of how a false accusation can ruin someone's life and how podcasts cannot be taken for granted. The solution to the mystery was fine too.
But...
. The humor did not always work for me. Casey is still not a compelling character and a scene with a Cyber team member felt unnecessary. The mystery could have benefited from few more twists and colorful characters. The murderer is quite anonymous throughout this case.
Overall, a fine episode.
6/10 HK.
Love the gruesome opening
jayfalconfox25 March 2022
Validation...at last!
Carycomic23 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The above heading has a double meaning. On the surface, it refers to how Sam Radnor was finally proven innocent of all the accusations being hurled at him by the Court of Public Opinion. Especially by Casey and Jessie who, as law enforcement professionals, should have known better!
Indeed, I found it pleasantly ironic that Agent Baker knew something of biological interest before Casey did. Namely; that vultures barf when frightened! And what vulture wouldn't be frightened by a near-fatal miss with a skywriting plane?
But, last night's episode also validates the praise I gave to the otherwise controversial dog-fighting episode of last year. I mean, let's compare the two plot gimmicks used for NCIS involvement. A truck carrying two naval missiles gets overturned when its panic-stricken driver swerves to avoid running over a dog. Dog turns out to be an escapee from an attempted drowning by illegal dog-fight middleman. Gibbs investigates despite everyone telling him that NCIS has no jurisdiction.
And, yet, simply because all that vulture barf landed on a petty officer and his guests, at a gender-reveal baby shower, NCIS has all the authority needed to investigate the murder of a female civilian otherwise unconnected to the U. S. Navy (either directly or via her husband)? People more cynical than myself might call that a variation of Pretty White Girl Syndrome!
What I'm trying to say is this. Cruelty to animals should never be considered less relevant than the cruelty of spousal abuse. Both are equally evil! But, they pale in comparison to being falsely accused of something you genuinely didn't do...and yet cannot prove it.
So, kudos to Director Vance's number one team for proving Sam Radnor innocent. And my thanks, to the episode's writers, for justifying my faith in the credibility of "Watchdog."
Indeed, I found it pleasantly ironic that Agent Baker knew something of biological interest before Casey did. Namely; that vultures barf when frightened! And what vulture wouldn't be frightened by a near-fatal miss with a skywriting plane?
But, last night's episode also validates the praise I gave to the otherwise controversial dog-fighting episode of last year. I mean, let's compare the two plot gimmicks used for NCIS involvement. A truck carrying two naval missiles gets overturned when its panic-stricken driver swerves to avoid running over a dog. Dog turns out to be an escapee from an attempted drowning by illegal dog-fight middleman. Gibbs investigates despite everyone telling him that NCIS has no jurisdiction.
And, yet, simply because all that vulture barf landed on a petty officer and his guests, at a gender-reveal baby shower, NCIS has all the authority needed to investigate the murder of a female civilian otherwise unconnected to the U. S. Navy (either directly or via her husband)? People more cynical than myself might call that a variation of Pretty White Girl Syndrome!
What I'm trying to say is this. Cruelty to animals should never be considered less relevant than the cruelty of spousal abuse. Both are equally evil! But, they pale in comparison to being falsely accused of something you genuinely didn't do...and yet cannot prove it.
So, kudos to Director Vance's number one team for proving Sam Radnor innocent. And my thanks, to the episode's writers, for justifying my faith in the credibility of "Watchdog."
I am a casual consumer of this show and I liked it, a lot!
coalandswitches-125 March 2022
In a procedural show like this, it's hard to stand out, but I loved the details like vulture stomach bile! It's a standout episode from me, it also felt a bit more topical than most given the suicide storyline.
I also thought the body parts from the sky was both gruesome and awesome. We're lucky to spend time with these characters after all this time.
I also thought the body parts from the sky was both gruesome and awesome. We're lucky to spend time with these characters after all this time.
Unwatchable
jdgtc124 March 2022
Pointless
coreycitn6325 March 2022
Ridiculous
ginzu-8281724 March 2022
Another episode with too many failed attempts at corny humor.
That seems to be the recurring theme in their bullpen and morgue meetings.
They should stick to the mission of NCIS, and be serious about it.
It's too bad that Gibbs is gone!
That seems to be the recurring theme in their bullpen and morgue meetings.
They should stick to the mission of NCIS, and be serious about it.
It's too bad that Gibbs is gone!
Disappointing and pointless tactical scene
CrimeDrama122 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It has been documented that police and other people have the skill to cross a 21-foot gap in 1.5 seconds to try to subdue an armed individual. However, a skilled shooter could get off two shots in the same amount of time. I don't understand why Knight, who is closer than 21 feet, runs at Sam once he picks up his gun off the nightstand. That is not the best option. During the standoff, Knight was in a dominant position since Sam was sitting on the floor with his back to the wall. She still has her gun in her hand as she lunges at him but he could have pointed his gun at her instead of himself! Knight should have initially insisted that if he goes for the gun again he will be shot. Knight is made to look like she lost control of the situation and panicked. I continued to shake my head after the commercial break, learning that Sam got off a shot but only grazed himself as Knight intervened. It is not really believable and I am not buying any of it anyway because it has no real value to the story! Just because a podcast makes the victim's spouse out to be guilty, there is no real evidence until her body is finally found. The arrest of Sam could have been simply summed up after the fact.
Meanwhile, it took a long time but Jimmy appears to have matured and become as professional as Ducky was. Finally.
Meanwhile, it took a long time but Jimmy appears to have matured and become as professional as Ducky was. Finally.
Vulture vomit???
cmheard-7450223 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
What a stretch about how the body was brought out to be discovered, and it just happened to be a famous victim? Also, Gary Cole doesn't have to be a hard a** like Gibbs, but as a federal agent, he should at least try to be a solid leader. I think Knight is a stronger character than he is. Seems like McGee is almost a background character lately, and Torres isn't even all that present. They did the same thing when Ellie joined though, putting her in the forefront for a while so the audience could bond with her. I'm just tired of the mediocre stuff. And just to be nitpicky, shouldn't Kacie be wearing her hair up and have on more protective gear so she doesn't contaminate evidence? And all the door-kicking is crazy. One of little pet peeves about these cop shows. It's not that easy to kick in a door!
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