(514-word review) The first season is a blur; it's been too long since watching it. Also, the time to get through this one has been long enough. Because of that, I'm unable to compare the two. There's not much about the first season that I remember, and even though this one is in more recent memory, most of the episodes at the start, maybe even towards the middle, are a blur.
With shows like this, it's the usual episodic format, so it's a matter of whether or not the writing of the individual plots was more exciting; part of me feels compelled to say this season was better regarding that. But I'm not in the position I should be to say one or the other. That's because I hardly remember the first one, and I barely remember enough of this one; this show is lighthearted, easy to consume/lacking the brain usage other shows require, and therefore, easy to forget/not have a grasp on the plots because of the episodic format.
Plus, this season's finale, including the penultimate episode and the stakeout scene with Tony and Caitlin in the seventeenth episode, has likely given me a biased perspective regarding the first season. Now that this season is in the can, I bet I'd consider the first one even better because of the deeper connection and the experience of "reliving the beginning," aka the novelty/"freshness," and because of this season's ending.
But the more I think about it, some of the episodes in this season stand out. So, while the first one had the novelty and some "iconic" episodes, this one "made do" without that novelty, still managing to have its respective selection of "iconic" episodes: and, more specifically, a broader scope concerning the plots, different areas of the writing, and the one-off characters.
However, there was one definite thing with which this season has an "advantage." And that was Sean Murray's (Timothy McGee) upgrade/promotion to the leading cast. He was a guest star before. The third season onward is the "playing field" of the iconic trio; if you know, you know, and I look forward to it.
Not only that, and related to that, it's safe to say the character moments were better/improved upon. The team was three before; McGee's character likely paved the way, writing-wise, for better character moments. But the way I see it, the writing, generally, improved concerning that aspect.
All that out of the way, the quality of this season was around the same level as the first. Something to watch, sufficiently entertaining, with memorable characters. The seventeenth episode, especially the final two, were all the peaks. The last two were the best, and they were hard-hitting.
The third season and a few after that should be rather good. I'm somewhat confident somewhere around there was the "Golden Age" of this show, especially taking the 'golden trio' into consideration. So, interestingly enough, as "disappointing" as the finale's ending was, what comes from it (or should I say, who comes from it) makes me excited for what's to come.
Shout by Dann MichalskiBlockedParent2021-12-02T17:00:06Z
CBS’s hit drama NCIS continues into a second season of crime solving. The writers do a pretty good job at creating new and different crimes (in addition to carrying on several plot threats set up in season 1), so that the cases never feel repetitive; and the character interactions are entertaining and fun – feeling like a real group of coworkers. Also, a number of interesting guest stars are featured, including David Keith, Alicia Coppola, and Tamara Taylor. And the shocking season finale is a game changer that promises exciting things to come. NCIS delivers a solid second season that establishes the series as a premier crime drama that’s still realizing its potential and isn’t afraid to make bold moves.