NCIS (TV Series) Semper Fortis (2014) User Reviews

Strong as always, but flawed

[bbecksted · 8/10 · 18 November 2014]

The premise in this episode is that a Navy Corpsman does not receive the same automatic certification as a medic from other services in spite of their identical training. While this may be true, it isn't really relevant in accident response situations. First responders who are not EMTs or Doctors are protected by "good Samaritan" laws in most states, including Virginia. Because of this they are protected from charges and suits while providing assistance to injured persons and waiting for emergency units.

It's also worthwhile noting that Navy Corpsmen are recognized as Marines because of their combat attention and support for Marines in action. It would have been nice to see a passing reference to this during Gibbs support for her work, especially since the woman in this story received a Bronze Start for actions.

This has been one of the most reliably excellent shows on the air, and I hope they continue to achieve success and keep up the great performance.

Must you assist

[fiat0903 · 8/10 · 4 July 2017]

To add to the other comments, there are states in which, if you have the ability, you must render assistance. These laws were passed when news reporters stood by as Buddhist monks immolated themselves. The cameras rolled even though many of the news camera teams had fire extinguishers at the ready, ostensibly to protect the news crew. Once the law was passed, the suicides stopped.

Further, there is a painful irony in the comments of the police sergeant that "you can't change the law". When I was a child in Virginia, it would have been unthinkable for an African American to be a policeman, let alone a sergeant. The laws limiting such jobs to White people were changed. Laws are changed regularly. Sometimes by legislatures, sometimes by courts. Sorry, Sarge, but you were wrong, painfully so.

Good Samaritan Law

[xbox1 · 7/10 · 26 November 2016]

I am not sure that I actually have spoilers in this review and I doubt that anyone really cares about what I have to say but I was glad to see that another reviewer shared the same thoughts that I have to some degree. I have issue with the writers and the way that they portrayed a Good Samaritan. It was a bit tiresome to watch as a script played out that painted such a erroneous situation. Good Samaritan laws would have protected ANYONE that in good faith rendered aid, and the fact that she had medical training would have been a huge plus (to the victims not to the application of law). There is no District Attorney in Virginia, or anywhere else for that matter, prosecute the Medic in this episode. Now my real beef with this episode - if you were not a informed person, you may think, after this show that you should not render aid in a situation that you could actually help someone. This was somewhat entertaining, but a bit "over the line" for my tastes. One more thing, the Fairfax police officer was a bit overbearing in his "let me do my job" and "It's the law".

Jury trial

[mikeos3 · 9 March 2020]

I assume that if she had gone to trial there would have been a jury. No mention was made about the extreme difficulty of getting a guilty verdict given all the favourable testimony on her behalf.

Why does anyone want to live in the USA?

[akicork · 10/10 · 13 December 2022]

OMG! Yet another brilliant illustration of how broken is the US legal system. There are a couple of side issues. How on earth can Navy corpsmen come out with different qualifications from anyone who has been through the same gauntlet of fire in the Army or Air Force? Then, how can these legal systems not work together? With different states having different laws (another problem!) there are understandable areas of friction, but if some law enforcement body is pursuing someone through their investigation a village cop should not be able to block that investigation, and vice versa. But the principal question is: Why should someone coming on someone else in distress not be permitted to help them, let alone be prosecuted for doing so? There are references in other reviews to "Good Samaritan" legislation. Why on earth should such be necessary? People must respond to the need of others! If while hill-walking I come across someone with a broken leg and help them by splinting it so that it is less likely to set badly, am I criminally liable? As another reviewer has suggested, if a mother puts a plaster on her child's knee, is she in danger of prosecution? What sort of legal system even thinks of such idiocies?

EDIT 2/4/23: On the fourth (?) time of viewing, I find that this episode is perhaps the one that makes me most angry out of the whole series. I accept that when the US constitution was written in 1789, Franklin and the other authors were anxious to ensure the rights of individual states against the proposed federal government, but I have two serious issues here. One issue is how someone who is employed by the federal government to carry out a task (battlefield medic) should not have the recognition of that training and experience in all states. The other issue (and perhaps more worrying) is that anyone might be considered to have committed a crime because they tried to help someone in distress. No matter what our level of training may be, no matter our qualifications, we are called as Human Beings to succour any other being (human or otherwise) that needs our help. If we see children in a burning building, and the Fire Brigade is not there as professional rescuers, we may rush in to try to save the children. Under what legal system could that be a criminal act? "Good Samaritan" laws are redundant: we all have to do what is necessary to help other beings. Standing by and not using whatever skills or abilities we might have would be an actual crime. I move my rating up to 10 because the episode makes the point so well.

Good Sam law in Virginia

[cnanrw · 10/10 · 25 July 2019]

At the time of the shooting of this episode, the state of Virginia did NOT have the Good Samaritan statute in place. It didn't become law until 2015.

Despite previous reviews, the episode is LEGALLY ACCURATE

[sarmedic · 10/10 · 4 March 2024]

As a Retired Navy Hospital Corpsman who also has 37+ years of prehospital experience as a licensed EMT-PARAMEDIC and an Instructor, at the time of this episode, any bystander is covered by the Good Samaritan law, as long as they do not attempt an "invasive procedure". When the Corpsman performed an emergency tracheotomy, she crossed the line of Good Samaritan. This procedure is taught to Hospital Corpsman to be used in the field, and to Advanced EMT''s, such as NREMT-Intermediate or Paramedics. Upon discharge from the Navy, if you do not have these civilian certifications, you are held responsible for your actions. Rendering basic first aid, performing CPR, rescue breathing, etc. Is all that is covered under the Good Samaritan law. This was a good example of getting the certification before getting out of the service is important.

The Bad and the Good of this episode

[nymormon · 6/10 · 17 December 2021]

I am disappointed every time that I watch this episode. You will NOT be arrested in Virginia for rending aid to accident victims; you are protected by the Good Samaritan Law. The law has been in effect since the 1970's, at least (unlike the other reviewer who said differently). I took an EMT class in Virginia, and knew people with EMS and the fire department, and at that time they all were protected by the Good Samaritan Law. The good part of this episode is informing the viewing public that Navy medics are not equal to medics in the Army and Air Force, in that they are not licensed. Please do not hesitate to stop and assist an injured person when you can. Your assistance will be much appreciated.

So: Every Mom In The USA Should Be In Jail ?!

[nebohr · 4/10 · 7 January 2022]

Semper Fortis 12.8

My wife and I. We both have theatre background. And we're not about to launch into a boring six paragraph dissertation on any TV show or movie. We would like to think that our light-hearted, semi-non sequitur reviews based upon the silly MST3K model might be enjoyable for some. WE get a kick out of it ; ).

"Practicing medicine without a license" would include a mother putting a bandage on her son's scraped knee. Think about THAT.

8-stars. Everything starts with an 8-star rating.

Unfortunately this episode is yet another non-starter as we will explain:

The executive producers Gary Glasberg and Donald P. Bellisario along with writers Matthew R. Jarrett and Scott J. Jarrett do a grave disservice to anyone living in The United States or anywhere else where Good Samaritan Laws apply. Imagine a person who might be able to assist your injured neighbor, friend, relative, loved one or yourself but they don't render assistance because of disinformation supplied in this episode. We don't find evidence of any lawsuits brought against Glasberg, Bellisario or the Jarretts nor do we find any attempt to include a disclaimer in the production.

We think that, at the very least, those in the medical professions, first responders and police would be aware of these laws. But ideally they should be common knowledge throughout the general population.

5-stars.

Tony asking Ben leading questions. You so pro, bro.

Hollywood cliche #020: someone must feel guilty for a situation beyond their control.

"You can't change the law"?!

"We won't win"?! That's the attitude lady lawyer. You so pro.

4-stars.

What kind of genius steals a truck from a garage then rolls the door halfway down?

Umm Abby? The evidence bag with the big wrench in it? Dropping it onto the table will most likely cause a tear in the bag resulting in contamination.

You so pro.

Ah yeah. The black roses. Way to go, Burt.

Having to do community service indicates that the corpsman was pronounced guilty of a charge by a judge in a courtroom. When did that happen?

3-stars.

Connect Emotionally With Character(s)? Yes.

4-stars.