NCIS (TV Series) Butterfly Effect (2023) User Reviews

Butterfly Effect

[bobcobb301 · 6/10 · 14 March 2023]

This episode at least seemed a little bit different in the beginning. They teased us with the idea of gas or some sort of airborne virus, and that it turned out it was not as dangerous as it seemed. Definitely interesting.

But they then went the kidnapped father routine and the bad guy who is somehow always too tech-savvy, basically they fell into all of the same traps that this show always does.

It was a decent episode and one of the better installments this year, but overall it was not an episode of NCIS that will have any replay value down the road when it pops up on USA or Ion TV or whatever.

A flawed case!

[harrykivi · 5/10 · 6 February 2024]

Christopher J. Waild, the writer of this episode, has had his fair share of ok and bad episodes. "Butterfly Effect" is not one of Waild's better episodes. It's average at the end of the day.

Let's start with the good.

. The production values of the episode are great as usual. "Butterfly Effect" is well-directed, the music fits the scenery and the acting's fine.

. The mystery is decent. There are some emotional scenes with Knight here and did like the setup to a sequel at the end.

But....

. The jokes usually miss the mark. The subplot about eagle eggs wasn't funny and felt rather bizarre. The dialogue doesn't always grip, some of it is mediocre. Do agree that the case has elements, which have been handled better in previous episodes.

Overall, a flawed episode.

5/10 HK.

Stupid writing!

[mqrtdpxa · 3/10 · 21 April 2023]

The episode had some good twists and heartwarming scenes, but give me a break. What is wrong with these Hollywood writers.

Agent Knight is shown as a carring loving daughter. She hears about her father's bike accident and is upset and concerned about his condition. You can see how hurt she is when she talks to her sister. She can't get too much information, because Japanese hospitals don't give out information over the phone. She is definitely worried not knowing what is going on. Then the director says he can pull some strings to get her to get a phone call. She says thank you. Then something happens and he gets worse. Put on oxygen. She is devastated. So her sister gets her an airline ticket.

But then she misses the plane because she has to finish the case HOW TOTALLY STUPID IS THAT? What is wrong with these writers. How do you take a concerned caring daughter and change her into caring more about a case then her father! STUPID!

Where is the NCIS magic?

[EllieMBlake · 5/10 · 17 May 2024]

When I first discovered NCIS, I could not get enough of the stories and characters. I wanted to watch each and every episode. That was many years ago back when it was Gibbs, DeNozzo and Ducky.

I've tried to be open to the cast which have a hard act to follow, but the chemistry is missing and I'm not engaged or inspired by any of it.

This episode was lukewarm, like a bath that needs more hot water on a cold winter's night. Parker is never going to match the legendary Gibbs. Knight is unlike any of the wonderful female agents they've had front and centre. Torres isn't Ziva. These characters from years ago had heart, soul and dimensions. Maybe it's the script, or the actors, I don't know.

The personal drama didn't hook me in, the stakes just didn't feel high and I didn't care if the case was solved.

I caught an old episode, where Bishop was overseas with Gibbs and a guy was granted US asylum. The marine roots really made such a difference. The rules mattered. Fighting for what's right, our values were all part of the package.

NCIS needs a massive rethink. What about an all female elite force with Bishop and Ziva with an international element? Kate's death was faked and she's back. Abbie is doing her thing too. Crazy stuff, but with guest appearances from DiNozzo, then other women who have also been significant B stories, they all had something, but couldn't shine in a very male dominated past.

I doubt it could happen since mainstream channels buckle down to tradition in these tough economic times, so they ditch diversity, originality, and creativity. Perhaps it's a Netflix or Amazon project which could come up with a fresh take on a now tired but much loved show to deliver 20 more years of drama that we watch repeatedly, craving, and wanting more.

I'm still loyal and try to watch NCIS. Jimmy and Tim carry some of the old charm that we loved in NCIS, but they aren't enough. It was always going to be tough post Gibbs' exit, but we need a young Gibbs prequel or some cooler spin-off that injects new energy into the current NCIS. I'd like for it to continue in some form, but it needs resuscitation, because the show is dying. It's very sad.

The art of misdirection

[lor_ · 21 June 2023]

This segment of the series is overly serious -almost no comic relief or kidding/ribbing each other amongst the team. Also, the complicated screenplay is bent on throwing the viewer off, more than twists but story U-turns instead.

It starts off like a terrorism or epidemic thriller right out of the late Wolfgang Petersen's prophetic: "Outbreak". Then the story turns on a dime, with more switcheroos to come.

Not my cup of tea, especially since I originally became addicted to this show for its more linear straight-ahead "solve the crime" approach rather than a changing gears at will type of writing.