NCIS: The Complete Sixth Season – DVD Review

By Patrick Luce Sep 10, 2009, 16:18 GMT

NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) is more than just an action drama. With liberal doses of humor, it\'s a show that focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a former Marine gunnery sergeant, whose skills as an investigator are unmatched, formerly led this troupe of colorful personalities. Gibbs, a man ...more

NCIS: The Complete Sixth Season sees its team of investigators getting shaken-up at the beginning, brought back together, and then torn apart again by the ending. Its season cliffhanger might not be the most suspenseful ever aired on television, but it will make you want to see what is going to happen next. 

The season also has a treat for fans looking forward to the series’ spin-off show with a nice little crossover that does an excellent job setting up the new characters.

NCIS continues to be enjoyable thanks to its great ensemble cast who refuse to let the series get boring despite being on its sixth season and getting a bit formulaic at times. If anything, the sixth season sees the show coming into its own, and really starting to fire on all its cylinders.

Several of this season’s plot twists seem like they have been in the works since the show started – which is a great kudos to the series writers. The twists will make you scratch your head wondering how you didn’t see that coming or just how much you can trust some of these characters.

The show’s strength continues to be the charisma of its actors and the way each character feels like a vital ingredient to the show’s success. While Mark Harmon’s Jethro Gibbs might be the leader and main attraction to the show, each character brings something to the table to make the series entertaining. 

It is impossible to see how the series would be as good without the cocky Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), the deadly Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), the lovingly strange Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), the geeky Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), and the endless historical monologues of Dr. Donald 'Ducky' Mallard (David McCallum). Even Ducky's assistant Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) becomes a vital part of the show this season.  

Even if it seems impossible to enjoy NCIS without its main cast, the writers do exactly that as the season kicks off with Gibbs dealing with a new team of investigators, a new boss, and a mole hunt going on within NCIS without his knowledge. 

With this being season six, starting the show off without its main cast was an excellent way to give the season a fresh feel and throw all of the characters out of their comfort zone. The change-up doesn’t last long, but has an impact on the show that will continue to be felt next season. This mix-up and long-term clever plot twist are what a show needs to stay interesting to its fans, and why NCIS is one of my favorite series on television right now.

The mole hunt sees Gibbs struggling to find a working relationship with new NCIS Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) and getting “his” team back together. Once all the characters are back where they belong, it never feels solid and it is clear that something has forever changed the way these characters relate to each other – which is made even clearer by the season cliffhanger.

With the team back in place, the series settles into its familiar groove of DiNozzo providing comical relief (normally at the expense of McGee); David seeming deadly and mysterious; Abby showing why she is the heart of the team as well as the real brains; and Gibbs always being one step ahead of everyone while working on the boat in his basement (how does he get that thing out of there!).

Just as we are starting to get comfortable with the characters again, the series takes a left turn; ends with you wondering what is going on; and counting the days until Season 7 gets started. Even Gibbs (who seems to be all knowing at this point) appears to be out of touch and caught completely off-guard in the final episodes – which are some of the best of the season. 

The DVD comes loaded with the kind of special features that fans of the show will love including commentary from the cast and crew on various episodes; a look at the dead bodies on the show; behind the scenes look at the episodes; a feature with Pauley Perrette singing her song “Fear” (and yes she can sing); and the cast discussing the sixth season.

NCIS: The Complete Sixth Season shows that this is a series that is only getting better, and knows how to keep its fans guessing what might happen next. It might not be the best season to start watching the show, but it won’t disappoint long-time fans.

NCIS: The Complete Sixth Season is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.