By Ralph B. Strickland, Jr.
(posted for him by Brian)
Currently, there is a fictional law enforcement series, NCIS, on a national TV network. It is my favorite “cop show”. In fact, it is my favorite of all TV programs currently “on the air.” The program is about a squad of investigators in the Naval Criminal Investigative Services assigned out of the Baltimore headquarters’ office of that investigative agency. Though the NCIS agents are law enforcement officers employed by the Department of the Navy, with worldwide jurisdiction and the power of arrest, they are not military personnel.
The NCIS program and its characters were introduced in a two-part episode of the CBS television series JAG in April 2003. The show itself, standing alone, premiered on September 23, 2003, in the United States on CBS. Thus far, there have been 186 individual episodes in eight glorious seasons. I am pleased to tell you Season Nine is expected to debut on September 20, 2011. Meanwhile, the USA Cable Network Channel reruns countless episodes throughout the year.
NCIS was voted as America’s favorite television show in 2011.
The main character is Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a former Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, Scout Sniper and Military Police NCO superbly played by actor Mark Harmon.
AN L-O-N-G ASIDE ABOUT MARK HARMON: Mark Harmon’s dad is Tom Harmon, a Heisman Trophy winner. His mom was the beautiful actress, Elyse Knox, who starred in 1940s Hollywood films. Mark was the starting quarterback for the UCLA football team in 1972 and 1973. He had planned to attend med school but his sister, Kristen, had married Rick Nelson in 1963 and Rick’s dad, Ozzie Nelson, offered Mark an acting role. He took it and became hooked on acting.
[By the time Rick Nelson was killed in a private plane crash he and Kristin were divorced – and Kristin was not aboard the plane.]
Mark met and married actress Pam Dawber who starred with Robin Williams in the hit TV series Mork and Mndy. The Harmons have two sons and a very long and happy marriage. Bless them both.
There are two films of note in which Mark Harmon starred prior to the NCIS series. The first I really enjoyed – The Presidio – with Sean Connery and Meg Ryan. The second was a made-for-TV movie and was also great – but Harmon played Ted Bundy, the notorious serial killer in The Deliberate Stranger. Seeing such a good husband and father as Mr. Harmon playing such a low-life scum-sucking pig was painful to watch, though his acting really made ole Ted come alive. You know, Ted Bundy sat down one day in Old Sparky, the State of Florida’s unreliable electric chair, and fortunately was unable to arise from it. He was “burned up” about the whole occasion. But I digress.
A little known fact about Mark Harmon: He saved the lives of two teens in 1996, using a sledgehammer to break into a burning car in which the victims were trapped.
LET’S NOW LOOK AT THE GIBBS’ RULES: Why do I enjoy NCIS so much? There are many reasons, but three really good ones are as follows. First, Pauley Perrette plays a unique role as forensic Specialist Abby Sciuto, covered with “henna” tattoos for the show. Secondly, David McCallum stars as Dr. David “Ducky” Mallard, the forensic pathologist, who always has a story from his past for every current issue in the show. The third reason is my favorite one. Over time, Gibbs has established “about” 50 rules he follows in order to fulfill his obligations as lead investigator. I say “about” 50 because some rules have yet to be told to us. Also, the man who taught Gibbs, his fictional boss, Mike Franks, has comingled some of his rules in the list.
I love this list – it is basically a good one with some humor. I do not agree with each of the rules, however. For example, I have always held that if you erred you should apologize and also that you should not lie.
HERE THEY ARE. ENJOY THEM - AND THE SHOW!
Rule #1: Never let suspects stay together.
Rule #1: Never screw over your partner. (One of these first rules is Franks’ and one is Gibbs’ but nobody is saying which is which.)
Rule #2: Always wear gloves at a crime scene.
Rule #3: Don't believe what you're told. Double check.
Rule #3: Never be unreachable. (Most likely one of Mike Franks' "Golden Rules" as opposed to Gibbs, because Gibbs has been known to intentionally be unreachable.)
Rule #4: The best way to keep a secret? Keep it to yourself. Second best? Tell one other person - if you must. There is no third best.
Rule #5: You don't waste “Good.”
Rule #6: Never apologize. It's a sign of weakness.
Rule #7: Always be specific when you lie.
Rule #8: Never take anything for granted.
Rule #9: Never go anywhere, never leave home, without a knife.
Rule #10: Never get personally involved in a case.
Rule #11: When the job is done, walk away.
Rule #12: Never date a co-worker.
Rule #13: Never, ever involve a lawyer.
Rule #15: Always work as a team.
Rule #16: If someone thinks they have the upper hand, break it.
Rule #18: It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission.
Rule #22: Never, ever bother Gibbs in interrogation.
Rule #23: Never mess with a Marine's coffee ... if you want to live.
Rule #27: There are two ways to follow someone. (1) First way, they never notice you. (2) Second way, they only notice you.
Rule #35: Always watch the watchers.
Rule #38: Your case, your lead.
Rule #39: There is no such thing as coincidence.
Rule #40: If it seems someone is out to get you, they are.
Rule #44: First things first, hide the women and children.
Rule #45: Clean up the mess that you make; never leave behind loose ends.
Rule #51: Sometimes - you're wrong.
*******************************************************
The NCIS program and its characters were introduced in a two-part episode of the CBS television series JAG in April 2003. The show itself, standing alone, premiered on September 23, 2003, in the United States on CBS. Thus far, there have been 186 individual episodes in eight glorious seasons. I am pleased to tell you Season Nine is expected to debut on September 20, 2011. Meanwhile, the USA Cable Network Channel reruns countless episodes throughout the year.
NCIS was voted as America’s favorite television show in 2011.
The main character is Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a former Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant, Scout Sniper and Military Police NCO superbly played by actor Mark Harmon.
AN L-O-N-G ASIDE ABOUT MARK HARMON: Mark Harmon’s dad is Tom Harmon, a Heisman Trophy winner. His mom was the beautiful actress, Elyse Knox, who starred in 1940s Hollywood films. Mark was the starting quarterback for the UCLA football team in 1972 and 1973. He had planned to attend med school but his sister, Kristen, had married Rick Nelson in 1963 and Rick’s dad, Ozzie Nelson, offered Mark an acting role. He took it and became hooked on acting.
[By the time Rick Nelson was killed in a private plane crash he and Kristin were divorced – and Kristin was not aboard the plane.]
Mark met and married actress Pam Dawber who starred with Robin Williams in the hit TV series Mork and Mndy. The Harmons have two sons and a very long and happy marriage. Bless them both.
There are two films of note in which Mark Harmon starred prior to the NCIS series. The first I really enjoyed – The Presidio – with Sean Connery and Meg Ryan. The second was a made-for-TV movie and was also great – but Harmon played Ted Bundy, the notorious serial killer in The Deliberate Stranger. Seeing such a good husband and father as Mr. Harmon playing such a low-life scum-sucking pig was painful to watch, though his acting really made ole Ted come alive. You know, Ted Bundy sat down one day in Old Sparky, the State of Florida’s unreliable electric chair, and fortunately was unable to arise from it. He was “burned up” about the whole occasion. But I digress.
A little known fact about Mark Harmon: He saved the lives of two teens in 1996, using a sledgehammer to break into a burning car in which the victims were trapped.
LET’S NOW LOOK AT THE GIBBS’ RULES: Why do I enjoy NCIS so much? There are many reasons, but three really good ones are as follows. First, Pauley Perrette plays a unique role as forensic Specialist Abby Sciuto, covered with “henna” tattoos for the show. Secondly, David McCallum stars as Dr. David “Ducky” Mallard, the forensic pathologist, who always has a story from his past for every current issue in the show. The third reason is my favorite one. Over time, Gibbs has established “about” 50 rules he follows in order to fulfill his obligations as lead investigator. I say “about” 50 because some rules have yet to be told to us. Also, the man who taught Gibbs, his fictional boss, Mike Franks, has comingled some of his rules in the list.
I love this list – it is basically a good one with some humor. I do not agree with each of the rules, however. For example, I have always held that if you erred you should apologize and also that you should not lie.
HERE THEY ARE. ENJOY THEM - AND THE SHOW!
Rule #1: Never let suspects stay together.
Rule #1: Never screw over your partner. (One of these first rules is Franks’ and one is Gibbs’ but nobody is saying which is which.)
Rule #2: Always wear gloves at a crime scene.
Rule #3: Don't believe what you're told. Double check.
Rule #3: Never be unreachable. (Most likely one of Mike Franks' "Golden Rules" as opposed to Gibbs, because Gibbs has been known to intentionally be unreachable.)
Rule #4: The best way to keep a secret? Keep it to yourself. Second best? Tell one other person - if you must. There is no third best.
Rule #5: You don't waste “Good.”
Rule #6: Never apologize. It's a sign of weakness.
Rule #7: Always be specific when you lie.
Rule #8: Never take anything for granted.
Rule #9: Never go anywhere, never leave home, without a knife.
Rule #10: Never get personally involved in a case.
Rule #11: When the job is done, walk away.
Rule #12: Never date a co-worker.
Rule #13: Never, ever involve a lawyer.
Rule #15: Always work as a team.
Rule #16: If someone thinks they have the upper hand, break it.
Rule #18: It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission.
Rule #22: Never, ever bother Gibbs in interrogation.
Rule #23: Never mess with a Marine's coffee ... if you want to live.
Rule #27: There are two ways to follow someone. (1) First way, they never notice you. (2) Second way, they only notice you.
Rule #35: Always watch the watchers.
Rule #38: Your case, your lead.
Rule #39: There is no such thing as coincidence.
Rule #40: If it seems someone is out to get you, they are.
Rule #44: First things first, hide the women and children.
Rule #45: Clean up the mess that you make; never leave behind loose ends.
Rule #51: Sometimes - you're wrong.
*******************************************************
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