NCIS (TV Series) Old Wounds (2023) User Reviews

Old Wounds

[bobcobb301 · 7/10 · 25 February 2023]

It seems like once every ten episodes we get one of these shows where Parker goes rogue and has to confront something from his past. I like that because I feel like sometimes television cops are just a little bit too by the book and while we should expect that from our heroes in blue, it is TV after all. We want excitement and something exciting.

NCIS is having a surprisingly decent season over all and Parker has replaced Gibbs about as well as you could expect. A fun episode here, not one with any particularly strong amount of replay value, but an easy one to get through and proof there's still a pulse with this show.

A decent episode!

[harrykivi · 6/10 · 3 February 2024]

Brian Dietzen and Scott Williams have written two episodes together. "The Helpers" was a mixed bag, "Old Wounds" is a fine episode at best. It's not bad, but doesn't agreed excite.

Let's start with the good.

. The production values of the episode are great. "Old Wounds" is well-directed, the music fits the scenery and the acting's solid. Gary Cole is pretty good as Parker once again.

. The mystery is enjoyable for the most part. It's nice to learn more about Parker. There are some good jokes and there too.

But...

. Parts of the story feel done in previous episodes. For instance: an investigator wanting to get the bad guy at all costs. "Requiem" from the 5th season handled that storyline a lot better. I wanted to be a lot more emotionally invested in the case, the ending with the letter left me a bit cold. The subplot about Jimmy trying to find an assistent wasn't all that interesting and felt like a way to find something to do for Jimmy.

Overall, a decent episode.

6/10 HK.

A bit more about Parker

[C-R-1970 · 5/10 · 18 September 2023]

While it may not qualify as a filler episode there's not really anything here to drive the overall story along. Instead what we get is a little more explanation of how and why Parker came to be the multi hobbyist pastry king of the NCIS franchise.

Cue the intro of his old F. B. I. Partner, who as fate would have it years ago ended up in a wheelchair after their last case together. This we are led to believe is the fault of the episode's bad guy of the week, another link from Parker's pre-NCIS past. A supposedly reformed drug dealer turned tech company CEO.

It seems to be a recurring theme of this season in particular to have one-off episodes where one of the team has to deal with some sort of demon in their past coming back. The only minor deviation from that plot device was when Nick was dealing with his alcoholism and turned to Dr Grace for support, thereby allowing the subplot to show her own past demons and how she dealt (or failed to deal) with them.

Parker is a capable agent and leader and likable, but he'll never be anything more than a placeholder for McGee or Gibbs orDiNozzo (if either of the latter 2 ever return to the series).

My only real complaint about this episode was that Parker years ago accidentally shoots his partner, and his partner somehow manages to cover it up. I find it very hard to believe that the F. B. I. Didn't recover the slug after whatever surgery was performed & immediately trace the forensic ballistics back to Parker's service weapon.

A touch of noir

[lor_ · 19 June 2023]

The odd and very brief pre-credits opening is a voice-over by Cole, putting me instantly in the mood of a film noir format. Whta follows as a full-length flashback isn't in that genre, but was still dieveritng, ephemeral entertainment.

This begs the question: when, if ever wlll Gary Cole get screen credit as the lead player of the show? I supsect this all has to do with contractural issues, but it's disconcerting to have him replacing Harmon but treated like a temp. Some day the real story behind Harmon's departure will be told.

I especially enjoyed seeing Cole as an irritable creep -nice acting to momentarily change his image for story's sake.