What I’m Watching: NCIS

NCIS: Season 7, Episode 2 “Reunion” (B+)

It was inevitable that Ziva would return to the team as normal, but it’s still good to have an episode that really explores and emphasizes her impact on the team. I’ve always liked her unique relationship with Gibbs, but the real unexpected fun confrontation this episode is between Ziva and Abby. Though she’s one for dramatics, Abby rarely truly chews someone out, and it was especially amusing because, while serious, she kept realizing during it that maybe Ziva had a point and it made sense to doubt Tony. The externalization of her internal monologue is one of the things that make Ziva such an endearing character. The chemistry between Tony and Ziva, however, is what really gives this episode energy. Their heart-to-heart in the men’s restroom, which was powerful, provided the setup for a device this show rarely uses. Most episodes of “The Closer” find Brenda making a startling discovery or realization based on something someone says to her purely by coincidence, and this show did that fantastically this episode when Ziva pointed out that Tony is a cop. The pure delight and excitement on Tony’s face made it even more of a terrific moment. Mistaken identity and people posing as someone they’re not are always fun elements of a show, and here they’re used just as well as ever.