Oh, David Bellisario, you bastard [Spoilers for the finale]

[perpetual_motion]

I knew you were killing someone off. I knew it. The previews kept proclaiming it in that creepy voice, so it was hard to miss. I watched the whole show all wound up and nervous because someone was going to die.

I knew the snake was bullshit because, well, you like the big explosions. Of course, when the car bomb got whipped out and you let Tony handle it, I was jumping up and down in my seat and yelling at the television that you wouldn't do that to him because you just finished giving him the plague.

And he lived.

But then, you brought in Ari. And had him threaten Gibbs. To his face. You've got a set, man. I'll give you that. But Gibbs wouldn't die. Gibbs is Gibbs. Gibbs does not die because no one could step in and be the pain in the ass that he is.

And then, in the climatic scene, you almost killed McGee. You were so close. And I give you mad props for letting our little geek shoot at the guy. It was kind of hot.

And then Kate got shot. And she went down. And I started screaming at the television because it was such a pansy way to die, being shot by some random lacky of Ari's. But she was okay. And she stood up, and just as I was getting ready to call bullshit, Ari shot her through the head.

Through. The. Head.

From two rooftops away.

And you had Ari apologize.

And blood spattered across Tony's face.

And it was...oh, fuck you, you bastard, it was *perfect*. I didn't want Kate to die. I love Kate. She was tough, she was fun, she dumped water on Tony's head. She was cool. But that death scene, where she was almost dead and then she really *was* dead was so beautifully done.

Gibbs is gonna fuck Ari up, right? Right? You can tell me. I won't tell anyone.

Comments

[miriam-heddy.livejournal.com]

Sigh. I got all feminist-y on the NCIS yahoogroup, and I won't go there again, except to say, "Gah."

[perpet-fic.livejournal.com]

I saw your postings at the group, and I agree with you on the whole thing. Kate was underdeveloped, and it was sad that they killed her off as opposed to deveolping her as an agent who could do her job without Tony snarking at her, but visually, it was a really good death scene.

Do I hope that Kate's replacement will be able to deal with Tony and smack him down when he hits harrassment mode? Yeah.

Do I think the writers will do that? I have my doubts.

And feel free to go feministy here. I'm all ears.

[miriam-heddy.livejournal.com]

I don't think the writers will ever do that. I mean, it'd be good if they got someone who will just put a *stop* to him. But as that would be putting a stop to the writers themselves... I have my doubts.

And yes, the death scene was visually good--stunning, even.

I don't even know that I *can* go all feministy here. I'm exhausted from dealing with yahoogroups, and sort of depressed to hear women so casually dismiss both Kate and the harassment and be so willing to excuse Tony (and even glorify him).

I mean, really. He's icky. I don't care how cute he is when he's dying.

[perpet-fic.livejournal.com]

I like Tony when he's not acting like an asshole, which is rare. The writers show him being a full-grown responsible adult in these tiny glimmers, and it makes me angry, because then they take it all away and make him an immature asshole again, and he gets annoying. He can be a funny guy and still be a decent dude who doesn't get offensive. Of course, that would require the group of frat boys in the writers' room to remember that character consistency for *all* the characters could be fun.

And I'm not commenting at the group because I don't think writing: You're an absolute idiot if you think it's okay because it's on tv or because Tony is cute, is a good way to *not* get into a flame war.

[miriam-heddy.livejournal.com]

*nods*. Yeah, so far, flame war averted, in part because I'm pretty careful to avoid ad hominem attacks (though godknows, by this point, I'm sure I've got plenty of people muttering privately to each other about the raving feminist who takes everything too seriously and how they wouldn't want to work with *me* at the office. Guh.)

I just get so annoyed, and so frustrated, and I've started to realize that, as much as I sometimes talk about the characters as real, I recognize it's a pose--a way of making consistent and trying to explain the writing for my own pleasure. But so many people--so many fans--refuse to break out of the "they're real" long enough to see the show and the characters as a cultural rather than a... genetic?... product.

I mean, it's not like I don't like elements of the show enough to tune in every week. McGee never fails to amuse me, and I heart him dearly. I wish he'd talk to Gibbs about Tony, but then again, I can see where that's not possible, for inter-textual and extra-textual reasons.

Oh, but did I mention, I'm almost done with a new Nigel story? Whee!

[perpet-fic.livejournal.com]

Nigel!!

I watch for Gibbs and Ducky and Abs and McGee. I watch for Tony when he's *not* acting like my brothers when they were stupid teenagers.

And have I hearted your icon, yet? I <3 your icon.