Okay, I guess my review is going to be a minority report, but I strongly disagree with the two reviewers who gave this a 1-star rating. Yes, the senator and the comedian were both quite unlikeable ... at first. But their characters showed remarkable development in the face of a desperate situation. The outcome was touching, and felt genuine. I can't argue with those who say the storyline wasn't realistic, because I have no idea about what would be realistic ... but I thought this was a very good episode with a good message: "All parents love their children"-well done.
7 Reviews
Double Down
bobcobb30118 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
NCIS definitely tried something different with their last episode before the holiday break, but while it was unique and entertaining, it was not quite a series classic by any stretch. The comedian on the show wasn't funny, the Senator wasn't likable either, and the actual situation with his son got way too convoluted.
It is hard to have an emotional episode when none of the main guest stars you can root for.
It is hard to have an emotional episode when none of the main guest stars you can root for.
Not the minority report
akicork19 December 2022
I feel that this is a great episode, and agree completely with barlowralph's review. The points made there I would all have made here, except that he does not feel able to comment on the realism of the storylines. Let's trawl through some of the other negative reviews. The comedian isn't funny and the Senator is unlikeable? Partly true - the comedian may not have been hugely funny, but the Senator was clearly liked by the troops he had previously commanded, and the interaction between the two of them made me laugh: that was funny! Main plot/subplot? I think it's pretty clear that the main plot is the extraction of the Senator to return to his son. The investigation into the son's injury is a subplot ('cos there has to be at least one investigative thread!). Sloane and Torres "are not really NCIS personas"? Sloane is deeply NCIS - look at her relationship with Vance - and is on the detail because of her experience with NCIS in Afghanistan. Torres - ?! - was eight years undercover for NCIS and is building himself nicely into Gibbs' team. So, no. Then there's the question about whether "the military would allow two civilians to escort a senator in a war zone ". The protection target is a Lieutenant General of Marines. NCIS is tasked to protect all US naval and marine personnel and their families. The protectors are agents of NCIS. Sloan and Torres *are* an arm of the military, protecting all personnel under the umbrella of SECNAV, to whom they eventually report. The idea of a single vehicle passing more safely through a danger zone than a convoy is not new. The Pony Express in the US was born from that concept: that a single rider was more likely to pass unnoticed than a group or an escorted coach. So the plan to travel in a single vehicle was a good tactical decision. Then we have the questions around "All parents love their kids". I would not question that: I have no evidence to contradict it. However, it is indisputable that not all parents are good at bringing up their children. Often they are inexperienced: they do the best they can but just don't know the right things to do. Sometimes their experience is twisted: then they may pass on that experience in damaging ways. Nothing I have seen in this episode is unrealistic.
Unbelievable
Xgrunt1 July 2018
Warning: Spoilers
It's expected with shows that you may have to suspend some belief in reality but to think the military would allow two civilians to escort a senator in a war zone. Or even to think a single vehicle would be allowed to drive alone in a combat zone is just insane. The entire episode is poorly written, poorly executed and almost unwatchable.
Reality is much different than this Christmas episode
CrimeDrama115 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
When Gibbs stated, "All parents love their kids, no matter what," I shook my head. In Houston, TX, two different couples have been charged after abandoning their young children with no utilities and deplorable living conditions. There are probably similar cases around the country. One of the men is also charged with murder after beating a young boy to death and leaving his body in the apartment with three young children (all siblings) to deal with alone for a year. Not "all" parents love their kids. Forcing Mark Harmon to say that line shows how naive the writers are. Shame on them.
Anyway, this is not a believable story. Why can't we just have a good mystery (a reported accident is later revealed to be attempted murder)? Everything involved with the security detail and the senator is silly. It is really just a preview of Sloane's future.
Anyway, this is not a believable story. Why can't we just have a good mystery (a reported accident is later revealed to be attempted murder)? Everything involved with the security detail and the senator is silly. It is really just a preview of Sloane's future.
Yet another okay one!
harrykivi16 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
To tell the truth: I've got a love and hate relationship with NCIS Christmas specials. "Homesick" was bottom of the barrel entertainment with an awful narrative, but "Silent night" , "Newborn king" I enjoyed a lot. Other Christmas episodes have been okay for me and "Double down" manages to be somewhere around them. It's light years away from the worst, though still not something to write home about.
Let's start with good.
. The action scenes are very well handled. They feel intense and violent. There are some lovely themes of fatherhood, friendship here, which is always cozy. The story has sparks of intrigue too. Especially liked that finally we get some backstory with Jacqueline Sloane.
But...
. This is one of those times when the subplot about Sloane and Torres protecting a senator in Afghanistan- I believe- was much more compelling than the main plot in which senators son is pushed of the stairs. Even though the person who NCIS is protecting is agreed bossy, arrogant old man, the proceedings of the subplot seemed more fun.
The main plot felt very average, bit convoluted for me with its too dramatic nature. While I watching this episode, I wanted to ask : is this the best main story you can come up with? There are thousands of narratives yet to tell..
Overall, "Double down" is an average NCIS episode, but it's watchable.
5/10 HK
Let's start with good.
. The action scenes are very well handled. They feel intense and violent. There are some lovely themes of fatherhood, friendship here, which is always cozy. The story has sparks of intrigue too. Especially liked that finally we get some backstory with Jacqueline Sloane.
But...
. This is one of those times when the subplot about Sloane and Torres protecting a senator in Afghanistan- I believe- was much more compelling than the main plot in which senators son is pushed of the stairs. Even though the person who NCIS is protecting is agreed bossy, arrogant old man, the proceedings of the subplot seemed more fun.
The main plot felt very average, bit convoluted for me with its too dramatic nature. While I watching this episode, I wanted to ask : is this the best main story you can come up with? There are thousands of narratives yet to tell..
Overall, "Double down" is an average NCIS episode, but it's watchable.
5/10 HK
samo samo
sandcrab27722 January 2018
Ncis has reverted to mark harmon's childhood yet again...he still has daddy and mommy issues...jack the new femme fatale and torresr are not real ncis personas...this is all a dreamscape....with each new shop i want to puke my guts out...it just gets worse
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
