The big problem when NCIS goes for story arcs, whether they are long or short, is that too much is shrouded in mystery. The dialogue is crafted so the audience doesn't know what's going on, but it's also frustrating because it's unrealistic to think that people would be talking about something without direct stating what they're talking about.
Behind the episode is this big meeting between the top NCIS people. We don't get even a whiff of what may have happened, but here's are the shreds of information we know. It's about Vance and his early days in Amsterdam and it's so important that Eli had to be there. I'm guessing it was something to do with the file Gibbs had on Vance.
Aside from the general ambiguity of things, the episode has lots of memorable moments. The relationship between Ziva and her father is strained, as are all the parental relationships on the show. In the end, it's Abby who sets Ziva straight and pushes her to talk to her father. Ziva's discussion with Eli is frank and very emotional. Eli, the head of Mossad, has greater responsibilities than caring about Ziva. He has a country to protect and millions of people who rely on him. The sad thing is, he's not wrong. Lives are at risk and he must execute his job to fullest capacity, and if that entails cutting out Ziva, then so be it.
The plot is rather lean because we don't really know exactly what's going on. The team protects Eli from three terrorists. There's a big attack in the end that the team manages to handle. However, the final teaser of Hadar blown up on the ground leads right into next week's episode.
I like the idea of Ziva's replacement who's younger and just as qualified, and it made for some good introspective for Ziva with someone to compare to. Does she like where she is in her life now, seeing her mirror in front of her?
Score: 8.9/10
