Jackbv123

It's too bad if this movie is a rip off of an earlier movie, but it's not that uncommon in this genre. Often I see new movies on this network and similar networks that make me stop to be sure I haven't watched it before. I don't think I ever saw the one this supposedly copies, so I thought the story was clever regardless.

It is also very common for Hallmark to use their older actors in roles that could be filled by younger stars. And they have some great younger stars.

It is also true that if you watch much of Ashley Williams, her smile definitely looks pasted on.

So what? I enjoyed the interplay between these two veteran actresses. It was complicated. At some points maybe too complicated to feel smooth and natural. But real life is not smooth and natural. In this story, we saw too women struggling, at least in part, with their identity.

On this site, I see so many complaints about the stories not being fresh. I even complain myself about the "same old stuff" rehashed with little creativity. A rip-off or not, this story is not the same old stuff. And the two veteran ladies make this movie about more than the story itself.

Many reviews discuss "chemistry" between the leads. In this movie the chemistry is between Sweeney and Williams and it is very good. There is a romance between a man and a woman also, but it is secondary.

Yes this is one of the best "pilots" I've seen, although I would argue that the real pilot occurred on the flagship series introduction of the Los Angeles team.

The writing was mostly strong, but one of my first impressions from this debut is the characters. I would definitely not fool around with Callen or Hanna or Kensi for that matter. And Hetty is just Hetty. Nate is good but not quite the same class as the others.

One of my complaints with the original NCIS is how completely they almost always devolve into juvenile behavior. What happens in the office remains in my mind when they go into the field. Gibbs and Ziva are the only ones I really respected, although Knight is close. This debut kept the juvenile stuff a little more subtle. I actually like the interplay between Sam and G because I don't feel like it distracts them from the danger, at least not yet.

For a while in this episode it seemed like it was only going to be serious crime drama, but later in the episode the family humanity vibe that NCIS always has became clearer.

My only criticism is that I never bought into how they were going to approach the bad guy. A twist explains some things and is actually pretty good.

Acting A- Characters A+ Story A- Dialog A-

First what I liked. I thought it was a nice touch to have Kasie turn the tables on Parker and McGee. She did it in her usual crazy way.

The confrontation in the server room was a mixed bag. It started with Kasie at her stupidest and her three cohorts talking on her coms were just as stupid. Her tirade on the company employee was fun albeit a little too obvious since there was a huge sign about liquids staring at her.

But the whole sequence about Kacie going "undercover" which was really climbing through air vents was about the most ridiculous strategy ever on this show. Then to have her give a running commentary while in the vents was even more stupid.

The guilty parties often defy logic thinking they can get away once confronted and this is no different.

Basically more bad writing which has been more common than good writing for a couple seasons or more.