Why haven't I seen this before? Probably because Real Life interfered.

Anyway. I've seen a bunch of my flisters proudly displaying their "I got nominated!" banner (congrats, guys!) so I went to have a look at the comm. I'm all for spreading fandom (and especially fanfic/fanart) love, after all! :)

I was a bit surprised to see names I've never heard of in fandom being nominated while others I was sure would get tons of nominations aren't listed (yet). I shall rectify that oversight! *g* And then I will check out the - for me - new members of our fandom. Always neat to get potential awesomeness recced, after all!

So, if you haven't already but want to, why not check out the comm, think if there's a story or two you absolutely love, and nominate your favorite(s) before it's too late? (Deadline: end of January!)

Best. Reaction. Ever.

I think everyone in the NCIS fandom knows or at least has heard about the uproar, especially on FB, regarding Dorneget, a recurring character that turned out to be gay.

I'm not gonna go into any details here, y'all know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, here's the most awesometastic reaction ever. An open letter. A BRILLIANT open letter.

If you don't much care for the review of  "Need to Know" (though it's funny and raises a few interesting questions, most notably about the absence of Jimmy Palmer), just fast forward to about five minutes in. That's where the open letter starts.

Please allow me to use the following video, made by the awesomely talented NCISmelanie, to help me sum up why I love this show so very friggin' much.



Of course, it also helps that the music's by Coldplay. *g*

Man, the meme's over already! *wails* I had so much fun doing this! And I've been waiting to post this vid since the first day! LOL! Because, honestly, there's no better way to explain why NCIS is one of the bestest TV shows out there. *hearts my li'l show*

As a sidenote, I'd like to thank NCIS for kick-starting my fanfic career again. I've only ever really been active in the X Files fandom, and I wrote a lot of stuff there, but sort of lost my forward momentum after several years. I still write in it (in theory, at least), but I honestly didn't believe I'd ever fall in love with a show again to the point that I'd play with the characters the way I did with the X Files. And while I've watched NCIS since the JAG episodes, it took me ages until I got bitten by the fanfic bug! In fact, it was the wonderful "I miss you, too, Dad" scene in S06E01 "Last Man Standing" that finally whacked me over the head with the Tibbs goodness. I've enjoyed the eye candy before, and I loved the equal opportunity shippiness of the show, but good lord, it took my Daddy kink to kick in until I started to see the light! LOLOL! After that, there was no holding me back. :) I know they'll never see this (and that's a Good Thing, too! LOL!) but a sincere thank you to Mark and Michael for inspiring the living daylights outta me with their awesome portrayal of Gibbs and Tony. *hearts them*

I've found a handful of wonderful new friends in this fandom, and even though there have been very rough patches in the last couple of years (Tiva wars, anyone?), I still think this is an awesome fandom to be part of, and despite all the naysayers out there (and honestly? If you hate the show so much, get the fuck off my fandom wagon already!!!), I think NCIS is still (or, more precisely, again) going strong. I can't wait for the season premiere (and ZOMG, Sep 20 is still sooo far away!!! *despairs*) and I sincerely hope that there'll be a season 10. And 11. And 20. *g* (NCIS: The Next Generation. It'll work, trust me! *g*)

Please allow me to use the following video, made by the awesomely talented NCISmelanie, to help me sum up why I love this show so very friggin' much.



Of course, it also helps that the music's by Coldplay. *g*

Man, the meme's over already! *wails* I had so much fun doing this! And I've been waiting to post this vid since the first day! LOL! Because, honestly, there's no better way to explain why NCIS is one of the bestest TV shows out there. *hearts my li'l show*

As a sidenote, I'd like to thank NCIS for kick-starting my fanfic career again. I've only ever really been active in the X Files fandom, and I wrote a lot of stuff there, but sort of lost my forward momentum after several years. I still write in it (in theory, at least), but I honestly didn't believe I'd ever fall in love with a show again to the point that I'd play with the characters the way I did with the X Files. And while I've watched NCIS since the JAG episodes, it took me ages until I got bitten by the fanfic bug! In fact, it was the wonderful "I miss you, too, Dad" scene in S06E01 "Last Man Standing" that finally whacked me over the head with the Tibbs goodness. I've enjoyed the eye candy before, and I loved the equal opportunity shippiness of the show, but good lord, it took my Daddy kink to kick in until I started to see the light! LOLOL! After that, there was no holding me back. :) I know they'll never see this (and that's a Good Thing, too! LOL!) but a sincere thank you to Mark and Michael for inspiring the living daylights outta me with their awesome portrayal of Gibbs and Tony. *hearts them*

I've found a handful of wonderful new friends in this fandom, and even though there have been very rough patches in the last couple of years (Tiva wars, anyone?), I still think this is an awesome fandom to be part of, and despite all the naysayers out there (and honestly? If you hate the show so much, get the fuck off my fandom wagon already!!!), I think NCIS is still (or, more precisely, again) going strong. I can't wait for the season premiere (and ZOMG, Sep 20 is still sooo far away!!! *despairs*) and I sincerely hope that there'll be a season 10. And 11. And 20. *g* (NCIS: The Next Generation. It'll work, trust me! *g*)

There are countless scenes that come to mind whenever I think of the show, but the one that really stands out is the "headslap of life" in "SWAK".

Why?

Well, for one thing, it's in one of my all-time fave episodes. Secondly, we get Tony whumpage, which is all kinds of awesome, and there can never be enough of it! LOL! Thirdly, it's filled to bursting with Tibbs goodness. *g* But even if you don't ship the guys, the scene still highlights several things that define this show. One, a Gibbs headslap. I think everyone who's seen more than two episodes will mention the headslap when asked about the show. *g* (Hell, remember last year's Superbowl ad? Where the headslap is the new handshake? *dies laughing just remembering*) Two, Tony's unwavering devotion and obedience when it comes to Gibbs. Three, Gibbs' tough love approach when it comes to Tony. This little scene, maybe ten seconds long, pretty much sums up the core dynamic of the show. Perfect! :D

There are countless scenes that come to mind whenever I think of the show, but the one that really stands out is the "headslap of life" in "SWAK".

Why?

Well, for one thing, it's in one of my all-time fave episodes. Secondly, we get Tony whumpage, which is all kinds of awesome, and there can never be enough of it! LOL! Thirdly, it's filled to bursting with Tibbs goodness. *g* But even if you don't ship the guys, the scene still highlights several things that define this show. One, a Gibbs headslap. I think everyone who's seen more than two episodes will mention the headslap when asked about the show. *g* (Hell, remember last year's Superbowl ad? Where the headslap is the new handshake? *dies laughing just remembering*) Two, Tony's unwavering devotion and obedience when it comes to Gibbs. Three, Gibbs' tough love approach when it comes to Tony. This little scene, maybe ten seconds long, pretty much sums up the core dynamic of the show. Perfect! :D

This one's a bit of a toughie because I really, really, really adore Mark Harmon. But in the end, I gotta go with my beloved Michael Weatherly. :)

He's incredibly funny. When you watch/read an interview in which he doesn't channel Tony but is "just Michael" you get to see how smart, insightful, humble and modest he is. I think Jesse Stern's blog entry about "One Last Score" described him perfectly, and when I read it the first time (yes, I went back to read it more than once!), I fell in love with the guy all over again. Heck, whenever I read or see an interview with him, I fall in love with him a bit more.

His coworkers continuously comment on what a great guy he is, and I honestly believe that they're being honest. Pauley once stated about their first meeting that she thought he was some air-headed pretty boy, and five minutes later, she realized what a great guy he is and they became best buds. *hearts* I love how Mark Harmon, who always speaks kindly of the entire cast and crew, only ever really singles out Michael and all but gushes about what a wonderful person he is. Damn, I love their rapport (not just as Gibbs and Tony, but as, ya know, Mark and Michael. Genuine love and respect right there. *hearts*).

Seriously, what's not to love about Michael? I mean, he fanboys all over Mark Harmon and Robert Wagner!!! Even his coworkers comment on his man-crushes! How much more adorable could that guy possibly be?

(In unrelated news, I've decided to use my scruffy!Michael icon to inspire gibbsgirlabby to write another shaving fic... *angelic smile*)

This one's a bit of a toughie because I really, really, really adore Mark Harmon. But in the end, I gotta go with my beloved Michael Weatherly. :)

He's incredibly funny. When you watch/read an interview in which he doesn't channel Tony but is "just Michael" you get to see how smart, insightful, humble and modest he is. I think Jesse Stern's blog entry about "One Last Score" described him perfectly, and when I read it the first time (yes, I went back to read it more than once!), I fell in love with the guy all over again. Heck, whenever I read or see an interview with him, I fall in love with him a bit more.

His coworkers continuously comment on what a great guy he is, and I honestly believe that they're being honest. Pauley once stated about their first meeting that she thought he was some air-headed pretty boy, and five minutes later, she realized what a great guy he is and they became best buds. *hearts* I love how Mark Harmon, who always speaks kindly of the entire cast and crew, only ever really singles out Michael and all but gushes about what a wonderful person he is. Damn, I love their rapport (not just as Gibbs and Tony, but as, ya know, Mark and Michael. Genuine love and respect right there. *hearts*).

Seriously, what's not to love about Michael? I mean, he fanboys all over Mark Harmon and Robert Wagner!!! Even his coworkers comment on his man-crushes! How much more adorable could that guy possibly be?

(In unrelated news, I've decided to use my scruffy!Michael icon to inspire gibbsgirlabby to write another shaving fic... *angelic smile*)

Okay, this prompt wins the award for most awkward grammar. But I digress. *g*

I don't think I've ever actually cried when I watched NCIS. I'm not even sure I really teared up, to be honest. *ponders* I did have a lump in my throat on a few occasions, so maybe that counts?

Michelle Lee's death, for example, in "Dagger." The way she gave Gibbs permission to shoot her, the way he didn't want to but knew it was the only way. And then, in the end, when he talked to Michelle's daughter. That was pretty intense.

I might've teared up a little when I watched "A Man Walks Into A Bar..." because I figured out who Rachel was at the same time Tony did, and that look he gave her, the very sweet and gentle smile of understanding, it just did something to me. And then, as a double whammy, we get Gibbs in the very next scene with a sleeping Rachel, and we find out that he knew all along (well, this is Gibbs, after all! *g*) and the way he treats her in that scene... *swallows hard*

"Requiem" was pretty intense as well for obvious reasons, I think.

Funnily enough, "Flesh and Blood" made me tear up twice. The last scene with the DiNozzos, when Senior tells Tony he loves him (and Tony's reaction!) and then the very last scene between Tony and Gibbs because it just showed us how close those two really are, and how much Gibbs gets Tony. *hearts* Amen, indeed.

Okay, this prompt wins the award for most awkward grammar. But I digress. *g*

I don't think I've ever actually cried when I watched NCIS. I'm not even sure I really teared up, to be honest. *ponders* I did have a lump in my throat on a few occasions, so maybe that counts?

Michelle Lee's death, for example, in "Dagger." The way she gave Gibbs permission to shoot her, the way he didn't want to but knew it was the only way. And then, in the end, when he talked to Michelle's daughter. That was pretty intense.

I might've teared up a little when I watched "A Man Walks Into A Bar..." because I figured out who Rachel was at the same time Tony did, and that look he gave her, the very sweet and gentle smile of understanding, it just did something to me. And then, as a double whammy, we get Gibbs in the very next scene with a sleeping Rachel, and we find out that he knew all along (well, this is Gibbs, after all! *g*) and the way he treats her in that scene... *swallows hard*

"Requiem" was pretty intense as well for obvious reasons, I think.

Funnily enough, "Flesh and Blood" made me tear up twice. The last scene with the DiNozzos, when Senior tells Tony he loves him (and Tony's reaction!) and then the very last scene between Tony and Gibbs because it just showed us how close those two really are, and how much Gibbs gets Tony. *hearts* Amen, indeed.

The obvious choice would be season 2's "Twilight" but I already knew that Kate would die, so it wasn't shocking or unexpected anymore. Under normal circumstances, I'd go with that ep though.

I was really shocked when Gibbs left (and how he left) at the end of season 3. (And I hated that he came back because of Ziva, who was pretty much the last person that made sense, but...ya know, never mind...)

The most shocking and unexpected season finale is, for me, season 5's "Judgement Day, Part 2."  When Vance assembles the team in his office at the end, only to break up the team and assign them to their new jobs... That was just WHOA WHAT THE HECK DID JUST HAPPEN?! (So yeah, it would've been a great answer to yesterday's prompt! LOL!)

The obvious choice would be season 2's "Twilight" but I already knew that Kate would die, so it wasn't shocking or unexpected anymore. Under normal circumstances, I'd go with that ep though.

I was really shocked when Gibbs left (and how he left) at the end of season 3. (And I hated that he came back because of Ziva, who was pretty much the last person that made sense, but...ya know, never mind...)

The most shocking and unexpected season finale is, for me, season 5's "Judgement Day, Part 2."  When Vance assembles the team in his office at the end, only to break up the team and assign them to their new jobs... That was just WHOA WHAT THE HECK DID JUST HAPPEN?! (So yeah, it would've been a great answer to yesterday's prompt! LOL!)

Most people would probably go for Kate's death. I'd've probably picked that one, to be honest, but, since I live in Europe and didn't watch the eps in "real time" back then (as I do now, thanks to live streams), I was already spoiled in that regard. The way she died was still painful to watch, but the death itself didn't come as a surprise.

So, what else? *ponders*

gibbsgirlabby picked a wonderful moment, namely Gibbs giving Tony a pat to the butt in "Aliyah." Ah, what a loverly image that was. (And why do I get the feeling that it was ad-libbed by MH? I highly doubt that was in the script! *g*)

I might have picked the full body tackle in "Baltimore" (gibbsgirlabby , raise your glass!!! *g*) but, again, I had already seen the scene as spoiler, so it doesn't really count, does it? (Well, I did go "OMFG, did that just happen?!?!?!?" the first time I saw that spoiler, so maybe it does count...LOL)

There's a particular scene that comes to mind which I will not pick because it's my pick for tomorrow's prompt. *g*

In a rather negative way, I went "OMFG, did that just happen?!" when I saw the ZOMG THIS IS SO OOC IT HURTZ MY EYEZ!!! shower scene in "One Last Score." Hell, there are a bunch of really negative "OMFG, did that just happen?!" scenes, like the headdesk-worthy scene in "Mother's Day" when we found out that Shannon's mother got off scot-free thanks to Gibbs being ZOMG THIS IS ALSO SO OOC IT BURNZ MY BRAINZ. Or how about Gibbs and Mallison leaning in to kiss each other at the end of...was that also "Mother's Day"? That came so totally out of the blue, it freaked me out (and not in a good way!). Or the reason that was given for serious!Tony being so serious in "False Witness" because ZOMG DON'T YOU KNOW YOUR CHARACTERS?!?! Does any of that count? But I think this is about shock value in a good way, so...

My pick's gonna be the teaser for "Requiem" where Gibbs drives the car into the water. We had no idea what was going on, all we saw was the car in the water with Gibbs and an unknown young woman, and Tony running around, all heroic, shooting bad guys and jumping in after his lover boss. I sat there with my mouth open and remember thinking, "They can't top that..." but they actually did, because the rest of the episode was all kinds of awesome. \o/

Most people would probably go for Kate's death. I'd've probably picked that one, to be honest, but, since I live in Europe and didn't watch the eps in "real time" back then (as I do now, thanks to live streams), I was already spoiled in that regard. The way she died was still painful to watch, but the death itself didn't come as a surprise.

So, what else? *ponders*

gibbsgirlabby picked a wonderful moment, namely Gibbs giving Tony a pat to the butt in "Aliyah." Ah, what a loverly image that was. (And why do I get the feeling that it was ad-libbed by MH? I highly doubt that was in the script! *g*)

I might have picked the full body tackle in "Baltimore" (gibbsgirlabby , raise your glass!!! *g*) but, again, I had already seen the scene as spoiler, so it doesn't really count, does it? (Well, I did go "OMFG, did that just happen?!?!?!?" the first time I saw that spoiler, so maybe it does count...LOL)

There's a particular scene that comes to mind which I will not pick because it's my pick for tomorrow's prompt. *g*

In a rather negative way, I went "OMFG, did that just happen?!" when I saw the ZOMG THIS IS SO OOC IT HURTZ MY EYEZ!!! shower scene in "One Last Score." Hell, there are a bunch of really negative "OMFG, did that just happen?!" scenes, like the headdesk-worthy scene in "Mother's Day" when we found out that Shannon's mother got off scot-free thanks to Gibbs being ZOMG THIS IS ALSO SO OOC IT BURNZ MY BRAINZ. Or how about Gibbs and Mallison leaning in to kiss each other at the end of...was that also "Mother's Day"? That came so totally out of the blue, it freaked me out (and not in a good way!). Or the reason that was given for serious!Tony being so serious in "False Witness" because ZOMG DON'T YOU KNOW YOUR CHARACTERS?!?! Does any of that count? But I think this is about shock value in a good way, so...

My pick's gonna be the teaser for "Requiem" where Gibbs drives the car into the water. We had no idea what was going on, all we saw was the car in the water with Gibbs and an unknown young woman, and Tony running around, all heroic, shooting bad guys and jumping in after his lover boss. I sat there with my mouth open and remember thinking, "They can't top that..." but they actually did, because the rest of the episode was all kinds of awesome. \o/

Oh come on now. While I love a lot of the different friendships on the show, my all-time fave is most definitely

Gibbs and Fornell.

They are like the Waldorf and Stadler of NCIS!!! Whenever they are together, I crack up big time. And while I'm a die-hard Tibbs girl, the show is not making it easy to ignore the, uh, Fibbs? Gornell? Gibnell? Forbbs? love.

Their awesometastic banter throughout "Jack Knife" only got topped when Fornell cooked for Gibbs in "Short Fuse." That was an ep full of slashy potential, and I'm not even shipping them!!! LOL!

Oh come on now. While I love a lot of the different friendships on the show, my all-time fave is most definitely

Gibbs and Fornell.

They are like the Waldorf and Stadler of NCIS!!! Whenever they are together, I crack up big time. And while I'm a die-hard Tibbs girl, the show is not making it easy to ignore the, uh, Fibbs? Gornell? Gibnell? Forbbs? love.

Their awesometastic banter throughout "Jack Knife" only got topped when Fornell cooked for Gibbs in "Short Fuse." That was an ep full of slashy potential, and I'm not even shipping them!!! LOL!

Um, what?

Okay, are we talking about me being an extra ("background artist" as it's called if we wanna be politically correct)? Me playing one of the roles, like a guest star? Or me playing a role that isn't in an ep but I think would make a nice addition? Or...what?

Okay, as an extra, I want to be in any of the episodes, don't care which, as long as I'm one of the "background agents" in the squadroom. I really want to be a fly on the wall when the usual craziness rules (aka, MW goes off on one of his tangents *g*).

A role I'd've loved to play (though I'dve been terrible in it *g*) would be Maddie Tyler in "Requiem" because I'd have been able to work a lot with MH and got to be rescued by MW! *g*

A role that doesn't exist but I would've loved to play? Wendy in "Baltimore" for obvious reasons, I think. LOL!

Um, what?

Okay, are we talking about me being an extra ("background artist" as it's called if we wanna be politically correct)? Me playing one of the roles, like a guest star? Or me playing a role that isn't in an ep but I think would make a nice addition? Or...what?

Okay, as an extra, I want to be in any of the episodes, don't care which, as long as I'm one of the "background agents" in the squadroom. I really want to be a fly on the wall when the usual craziness rules (aka, MW goes off on one of his tangents *g*).

A role I'd've loved to play (though I'dve been terrible in it *g*) would be Maddie Tyler in "Requiem" because I'd have been able to work a lot with MH and got to be rescued by MW! *g*

A role that doesn't exist but I would've loved to play? Wendy in "Baltimore" for obvious reasons, I think. LOL!

Huh, that's a toughie.

It's not Kate. I liked her just fine, but her uppity, holier-than-thou attitude (and some of the banter with Tony that just went way too far) made me not really care for her character either way. In a way, I was even glad she was gone (would've preferred if she hadn't been killed though). Then again, we got Ziva instead, so...yeah.

It's not Paula. I really liked Paula and her death was heroic, but she wasn't such an integral part of the show that I really missed her after she was gone.

It's not Shannon and Kelly. Even though their deaths obviously affected Gibbs in the worst way, and we got some interesting episodes and story lines out of it (not to mention the fact that we were allowed to watch MH acting the living daylights out of those scripts), I'm just not personally saddened.

I was sad to see Ari Haswari gone. He was an awesome character, and so wonderfully sinister. Plus, the way he was killed was just...ARGH.

I was also sad to see Jeffrey White gone. I liked the little weasel. *g* Plus, Tony had to kill him, and it affected him badly. *pets Tony*

I was really sad to see Michelle Lee gone. I hated the way her character was made to be the "bad guy" though at least she was clearly in over her head and so she couldn't help it (for lack of a better word). The way she gave Gibbs permission to shoot her, and then Gibbs dealing with Michelle's daughter... *sniffles*

(As a side note, I was also very saddened that Ma Mallard died. We all knew that the actress had passed away already, but the way her "real" death was dealt with was very classy, I thought.)

Huh, that's a toughie.

It's not Kate. I liked her just fine, but her uppity, holier-than-thou attitude (and some of the banter with Tony that just went way too far) made me not really care for her character either way. In a way, I was even glad she was gone (would've preferred if she hadn't been killed though). Then again, we got Ziva instead, so...yeah.

It's not Paula. I really liked Paula and her death was heroic, but she wasn't such an integral part of the show that I really missed her after she was gone.

It's not Shannon and Kelly. Even though their deaths obviously affected Gibbs in the worst way, and we got some interesting episodes and story lines out of it (not to mention the fact that we were allowed to watch MH acting the living daylights out of those scripts), I'm just not personally saddened.

I was sad to see Ari Haswari gone. He was an awesome character, and so wonderfully sinister. Plus, the way he was killed was just...ARGH.

I was also sad to see Jeffrey White gone. I liked the little weasel. *g* Plus, Tony had to kill him, and it affected him badly. *pets Tony*

I was really sad to see Michelle Lee gone. I hated the way her character was made to be the "bad guy" though at least she was clearly in over her head and so she couldn't help it (for lack of a better word). The way she gave Gibbs permission to shoot her, and then Gibbs dealing with Michelle's daughter... *sniffles*

(As a side note, I was also very saddened that Ma Mallard died. We all knew that the actress had passed away already, but the way her "real" death was dealt with was very classy, I thought.)