It seems like the writers are starting to branch the cases out a little bit. The pilot took place in a plane for the most part, although it took place in a few areas in the NCIS headquarters. The previous episode mostly took place indoors, but this episode had a lot going on outside. That's one thing this episode has over the pilot as well as the previous episode. There's something about filming outside that filming inside doesn't bring to the table.
There was more humor in this episode, and it was top-notch. The banter between Caitlin and Anthony, along with Gibbs' reaction to it. The dialogue regarding the two Aussie women between Anthony and DEA Agent Kent Fuller, and just FBI Agent Fornell, in general. His attitude towards Caitlin and Gibbs, and NCIS itself, is great. It's unintentionally hilarious. Agent Fornell's presence adds a lot to an episode when he's in it, and I think he becomes an important character as well because I know he's still around in the current season, so I'm interested to see how that comes to be.
And the case went in a direction I wasn't expecting. It felt one way when it was progressing and then became completely different. As far as the episode is concerned, I don't think it was as exciting as the pilot, neither was the previous episode. And now, the latter seems better than I gave it credit for, and I may be elevating the pilot higher because it was the start of the show, meaning it had more impact. While I don't think this episode was better than the pilot, it's pretty close. Closer than the previous episode was.
And there were a few things that seemed to make the episode stand out more: locations that stand out more than the ones in the previous two episodes, as well as a more extensive and detailed storyline. I am aware that this is only the third episode, but I want to mention that the show hasn't elevated itself for me yet. The cases seem to be getting more exciting, and each episode is still entertaining, but I feel like the show hasn't hit its stride. It's still pretty straightforward and basic. But again, this is only the third episode, and there are TWENTY-THREE episodes in this first season, and I think it's obvious it'll start kicking into high gear soon; I look forward to it.
