Cadence

Series frequently focuses on one character for an episode, and CADENCE spotlighting Tony's stint at military school as a teenager hits the mark. Especially effective was casting 18-year- old Tanner Stine in his role in flashbacks.

Story by Christopher Silber is a bit cornball, limning the extreme (and deadly) hazing from an honor squad and sadistic code that actually occurs in such institutions. Mystery of who exactly is guilty keeps the pot boiling but this particular topic has been done to death and usually better.

But we do get to see what helped form the man who became DiNozzo and this is satisfying to long-term fans of the show. Stine looks the part and captures Weaherly's mannerisms very well -look for a bright future for the thesp just at the beginning of his career. Acting by the bad guys and the not-so-bad but misguided guys is at a high level.

I enjoyed a brief cameo by Jamie Bamber in his recurring role of Emily's better half. Having just binge-watched via Netflix the entire run of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, it was fun to see the heartthrob again now in his 40s, still looking for that next lightning strike to followup his iconic success as young Adama in the classic sci-fi series.