Tonight, Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette) proposes an excellent idea… celebrating those who do good deeds in everyday life.
On that note, we would like to designate Leroy Jethro Gibbs as the “Second Most Trusted Man in America” (the title of “Most Trusted Man in America” having been bestowed already on the late Walter Cronkite.)
Since Leroy Jethro Gibbs is a fictional character, the “Most Trusted” title should extend to the portrayer, cast and crew who make up this fine show, because without them, there would be no Gibbs. And a world without Gibbs is sadder, more dangerous and has less hope.
A lot is said in the news about lack of opportunities for the families of active service personnel and veterans. Not enough is done to fix the problem, possibly because it is more bad news cluttered among 22-minutes of other bad news.
Tonight, NCIS and First Lady Michelle Obama are teaming together in an episode to put faces and possibilities to the situation.
The episode, “Homefront,” features an appearance by the First Lady as she welcomes Gibbs and the wife of a Marine to the White House for a “Joining Forces” roundtable with military spouses.
Not only did NCIS writers and producers spend an hour of valuable airtime to shine a light on this continuing situation, as the most-watched drama on the planet, perhaps the storyline will focus a much-needed look at a quandry that affects far too many families.
Also putting its money where its mouths is, the show cast actual military spouses as “extras” in the roundtable scene.
To quote a press release regarding this initiative:
“’Filming inside the White House was a dream come true for the NCIS cast and crew,’” said Executive Producer Gary Glasberg. It was such a pleasure working with First Lady Michelle Obama and it’s our honor to support the Joining Forces initiative and the military families that benefit from it.’”
“In 2011, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden came together to launch Joining Forces a nationwide initiative calling all Americans to rally around service members, veterans and their families and support them through wellness, education and employment opportunities.”
Lest you think that the entire hour is a public service announcement, it is not.
In a poignant depiction of what happens to the families of those who serve, McGee (Sean Murray) connects with the teenage son of a deployed serviceman, sharing his own pain as the child who was left behind “for the greater good.” One who, in his own way, served on the “Homefront” by being braver than his years to lessen the stress on his father who is being shipped out again.
Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and Bishop (Emily Wickersham) work together to assist a service wife who may lose her career because of her husband’s transfer.
There probably are enough scenarios like these to fill another 13 years of NCIS storylines, but the fact that there are even two is very sad, indeed.
A prediction… there will be an opportunity for some laughs as well. Director Vance (Rocky Carroll) and Senior FBI Agent Tobias Fornell (guest star Joe Spano) travel to London as part of the ongoing escaped British spy case. Watch for these two experts at comic timing to glean the most out of any funny line that comes their way.
A London trip also provides a setup for the introduction of MI-6 Agent Clayton Reeves (guest star Duane Henry) who will be introduced on next week’s episode to help fill the void created by the departing Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly). (NOTE: I am really going to hate not being able to use that phrase. It has brought me many smiles.)
NCIS also stars David McCallum and Brian Dietzen. Guest starring on “Homefront” are Sandra Nelson. Benjamin Stockham, Reiko Aylesworth, Adrian Sparks, Pete Gardner, Zoe Perry, Elijah Mahar, Stephen Oyoung, Paul Holowaty and Juliette Angelo. “Homefront” was written by Gina Lucita Monreal and Jennifer Corbett and directed by Dennis Smith.
Once again, congratulations to all of the fine folks who make Gibbs and NCIS who and what they are… the personification of our beliefs. We celebrate YOU. You make us proud to be in your company.
Watch NCIS tonight at 8:00 p.m. on CBS in the U.S. and on Global TV in Canada. Tell your friends that you are watching NCIS with the President, First Lady and Leroy Jethro Gibbs (we bet they will be tuned in.)
