Thoughts on last nights episode, 18x1. Went in with mixed feelings. I love the show, have watched since the beginning. The last two years I've watched mostly for Gibbs/Sloane. Yes, I love Slibbs. Knowing Maria Bello is leaving made watching last night more difficult. I really don't want them to kill her. She is rarely in the field, and it seems a stretch to kill her in that context. Leaving for her daughter is really the only thing I'd buy. Anyway, I watched cautiously. Not wanting to get emotionally attached, but wanting to see my favorite show after such a long break. I wasn't all that impressed with the episode. I enjoy Fornell episodes, but this seemed forced. The dialogue didn't seem to flow. Almost like the actors had lost their rhythm during the long hiatus. Again, Scott Williams, the writer of this episode, is one of my favorites. However, this one didn't seem to go. Like they were trying to answer questions from previous seasons quickly and without much thought.(Fornell's daughter's overdose was back in season 16.) The saving grace was the 30 second Slibbs scene outside the concert hall. As sweet and wonderful as it was, it is just going to make her departure that more painful. They could have done such great things with Sloane's character. I feel like they squandered what could have been a great thing to the show. That was an incredibly long ramble to say, I'm not sold on this season, especially knowing what lies ahead. But I love Mark Harmon, am happy the show has returned, and will continue to watch. Albeit, cautiously.
