Post by Llyan (Admin) on Feb 11, 2017 3:44:55 GMT
Call of Silence (2.7)
Original Air Date: 11.23.04
I have a confession to make. When I saw this as one of the requested episodes my heart dropped. Not because I don't like the episode but because of how much do. It's such a poignant and special episode that I know that I will in no way shape or form be able to do it any justice.
Mr. Durning, in my very humble opinion, should have won the Emmy. No disrespect to Ray Liotta who won that year for his appearance on ER (as an alcoholic in his last hour of life), but Mr. Durning's was better. It never felt like he was acting, it felt like he was Ernie, using his own experiences during WWII to draw from.
His scenes with Mark, Michael and Sasha especially stood out and his great skill as an actor drew out the very best in them. (and that's saying something given how good they already were.)
Deep breath Navy and get on with it.
General Notes:
I apologize - I forgot to write down who wrote the episode and I'm too tired to put my DVD back in to find out.
Edit: 3/23/19. Written by Roger Director.
Both the "Phoof" and the "razor" sound were used.
To get myself in the mood I listened to a bunch of YouTube selections of Artie Shaw while I was typing this out.
Synopsis:
A WWII Medal of Honor recipient confesses to murdering his best friend during a battle on Iwo Jima almost 60 years ago. Believing there's more to the story, Gibbs and the team work to solve the mystery and save the man from going to prison.
Pre-Act 1
Phoomph: Gibbs
* Gibbs is coming to work and Cpl Ernie Yost arrives: I believe this is the first and only time we see the ground floor security area.
* Gibbs has a chat with Henry (the security guard) about a sushi place where you don't order but eat what you're served. I'm slow on the uptake because when I 1st watched this episode I should have realized that this was NOT an arbitrary conversation but I didn't - sigh.
* I was very touched by Gibbs' treatment of Ernie right from the very beginning.
* Why is Cpl Ernie Yost at NCIS? When his gun comes through the security scanner the good Cpl says he used it to kill a Marine.
Act 1
Phoomph: Gibbs
* None of Team Gibbs believe that Ernie killed anyone. They are kind but believe he's just a lonely older man who is suffering from delusions.
* Kate must not have been around too many military people in her life. Once a Marine (Sailor/Soldier/Airman) knows his/her service number it stays in your memory forever!
K: "Gibbs, I doubt that he could remember his shoe size."
G: "Cpl Yost?"
Y: "Yo."
G: "Serial Number!"
Y: "330090, Sir!"
Kate looked more than a little surprised.
* Need some help from someone more in the know (too lazy to look up right now):
Do Medal of Honor recipients still get to fly free?
* I really liked that Tony showed awe over Ernie's Medal of Honor.
* "Team Gibbs" still doesn't believe that Ernie killed his friend. HE can't remember why he would have done it.
* Gibbs has Tony take Ernie for a drink of water. Tony calls it a water cooler
E: "It's not a water cooler. It's called a scuttlebutt. How long you been in the Corps, kid?"
T: (very dryly ) "Since I met Gibbs."
* Mr. Durning was beyond wonderful when Ernie was talking about his recently deceased wife, Dorothy. That scene was simply heartbreaking.
* Enter Cmdr Faith Coleman - JAG lawyer. I know many of you like her as a potential match for Gibbs, but I can't come aboard. I find her rather cold.
She got involved at the request of the SecNav - Ernie sent confession letter which got read because it was from a Medal of Honor recipient. Says he killed Cpl Wade Kean.
Act 2
Phoomph: Ducky and Kate
* When Gibbs is getting ready to officially question Ernie (in interrogation) he states his name for the record: L. Jethro Gibbs.
* It's no wonder that Gibbs and his team didn't believe Ernie. He couldn't stay focused and couldn't recall any details. When Gibbs is about to call it quits Ernie remembers that he "bashed his brains in." When Ernie becomes distraught Gibbs gently tells him "You don't have to remember anymore." - this is one of the places I always cry.
* Tim is watching To The Shores of Iwo Jima,
Here is a clip: www.youtube.com/watch?v=elgziFn-6_c
when Tony walks up and thinks it The Sands of Iwo Jima
Easy mistake to make at 1st glance since the movie used footage from the documentary.
* Once Ernie remembered how he'd "killed" Wade, Gibbs had his body disinterred.
Wade L.(or I) Kean
US Marine Corps
World War II
Sept 18, 1924
March 03, 1945
* Mrs Dorothy Yost is buried nearby and still has flowers marking her grave.
* I haven't checked for sure but the Marine Honor Guard that came to to preside over the disinterment had to be the real thing - they were just that good.
At the risk of offending/insulting my fellow sailors - their funeral detail is massively more impressive than ours.
* Uh Oh. Cpl Kean's skull has an indentation that matches the butt of Cpl Yost's gun.
Act 3
Phoomph: Tony
* Cmdr Coleman is at NCIS "chatting" with Gibbs. Gosh I wish I could like her but scenes like this just reinforce my dislike.
She is pointing out all the reasons why she's going to charge Ernie.
He confessed by letter to the SecNav
Surrendered the "murder" weapon
ME (Ducky) Matched it to the wound on Cpl Kean's skull
C: "What more do you want?"
G: "Motive."
C: "I don't need motive to prosecute."
For me she was just too eager to do her job.
Gibbs tries to explain what it's like in combat - that your buddy, the guy next to you, is closer to you than your brother. Asks her: "Why would Yost do this?"
C: "God only knows."
She then gets tough and demands that Gibbs bring him to the brig at Quantico by 0800 in the morning.
Insert a bit of humor:
Loved that Gibbs let her think he escaped (Tony took him home) and Kate and McGee chime in.
M: "We found a window open. He must have shimmed down a drain pipe.
Of course she didn't believe any of them but hey, what could she do?
* Kate wondering if him being found guilty would be so bad since he might not serve any jail time. Glad Gibbs set her straight:
His honorable discharge would change to dishonorable
Loss of Medal of Honor
Die with undeserved guilt
- didn't mention but implied - would lose his veterans benefits.
* GOOD MORNING TONY! Military music.
* When Ernie was telling Tony the story about the torpedo shooting over the ship he and Wade were on was great BECAUSE it didn't look acted - It came across to me as Mr. Durning telling Michael a memory.
* Pictures are brought out. Including one of a young Dorothy.
T: "Oh man, she's hot." (realizes what he said) "Sorry, Ernie."
E: "That's OK kid, she was hot."
* Tony's jealousy remark "I'll bet your buddies were jealous" opened the door to memory even though he and Ernie didn't know it yet.
* Abby and McGee's work on making a recreation gives Gibbs a piece of info he's looking for. The Japanese soldiers were right on top of the Marines. Cpl Kean's legs were blown off and he had to be in agony. Gibbs realizes that Ernie probably hit his buddy to silence him, not to kill him.
* Awww. Loved Tony using the word "sweethearts" when talking about Dorothy and Wade - who were Prom Queen and King at their senior prom.
Act 4
Phoomph: 2 Sakai cups toasting
* At HQ Tony wonders aloud if they have to tell Cmdr Coleman about Wade and Dorothy. Gibbs knows he has to but a little part of him probably wishes they could keep it from her too.
* Bad news for Ernie. The last surviving Marine from Iwo dropped dead in Vegas last month.
* Lightbulb moment for Gibbs.
* Most poignant moment of the episode.
Kate dancing with Ernie as he sings "Begin the Beguine.
This another scene that didn't feel acted - it was Mr. Durning dancing with Sasha as Michael and Sean watched with affection.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ4wpYFChYA
* Enter Cmdr Coleman and "The Olsen Twins."
When Ernie thanks her for coming to get him I think she was rather taken aback.
I loved when Tony thought she wasn't showing him enough respect that he pulled aside Ernie's tie to reveal the Medal of Honor.
She hesitated a split second before coming to attention but not the "twins" - they were lightening fast - wonder if these 2 were actual Active Duty Marines?
Note: Cmdr Coleman wouldn't have saluted because she wasn't wearing her cover. The "Twins" were wearing theirs due to their assignment as guards.
* Gibbs found a witness. McGee says he couldn't have unless he missed someone.
G: "No, all Marines are dead."
Ernie: "They (the "Twins") look alive."
* The witness is a Japanese gentlemen (the light was beginning to dawn on who he might really be)
* Coleman is not happy with Gibbs, asks what he’s up to. Answer: "the truth."
Now how can she argue with that???
* Creating the sounds and smells is a fantastic way to get repressed memory.
Lit matches = sulfur.
"To the Shores of Iwo Jima" playing on the TV monitor.
* My admiration of Mr. Durning during this scene was immeasurable. And I felt so bad for Ernie that he had to remember but was glad that he did so he could heal.
* FINALLY! Cmdr Coleman shows her humanity - she cries.
* This is another favorite scene. Gibbs and Ernie after he remembers.
Place: Squadroom.
Ernie is still not sure that he hit Wade out of necessity and not fear that Wade would want Dorothy back. Gibbs gently convinces him otherwise while kinda of futzing around at Kate's desk (Ernie is sitting at his).
G: "You met Dorothy in Hawaii? After you were wounded on Guadalcanal?"
E: "Yea. She was a Navy nurse.
G: "You decided to get married before you shipped off to Iwo?"
E: "I told you, it was love at first sight." (he actually told Tony this but he could have told Gibbs off-camera so I'll let it slide) "We were going to get hitched when one of us was discharged."
G: "Who was going to be your Best Man?"
E: "That was going to be Wade. He was......" "I asked Wade. He KNEW I was going to marry Dorothy. He said "no hard feelings" He felt we were meant for each other."
* G: "C'mon Cpl, let a Gunny buy you dinner."
E: "You were never an officer?"
G: "No. Hell no."
E: "I knew there was something about you I liked."
Loved the fake out "Uppercut" (at least that's what I think it's called - I'm SUCH a girl) that Ernie gave Gibbs.
* Dinner is at the Japanese restaurant that Gibbs and Henry were talking about at the beginning of the episode. The chef is (of course) the Japanese Lt who helped Ernie remember. Ernie realizes he was conned. Says to the chef - "and you, you were never on Iwo."
Lt: "Iwo, no.........Guadalcanal."
Great moment - second most poignant for me of the two old enemies sharing a toast.
Original Air Date: 11.23.04
I have a confession to make. When I saw this as one of the requested episodes my heart dropped. Not because I don't like the episode but because of how much do. It's such a poignant and special episode that I know that I will in no way shape or form be able to do it any justice.
Mr. Durning, in my very humble opinion, should have won the Emmy. No disrespect to Ray Liotta who won that year for his appearance on ER (as an alcoholic in his last hour of life), but Mr. Durning's was better. It never felt like he was acting, it felt like he was Ernie, using his own experiences during WWII to draw from.
His scenes with Mark, Michael and Sasha especially stood out and his great skill as an actor drew out the very best in them. (and that's saying something given how good they already were.)
Deep breath Navy and get on with it.
General Notes:
I apologize - I forgot to write down who wrote the episode and I'm too tired to put my DVD back in to find out.
Edit: 3/23/19. Written by Roger Director.
Both the "Phoof" and the "razor" sound were used.
To get myself in the mood I listened to a bunch of YouTube selections of Artie Shaw while I was typing this out.
Synopsis:
A WWII Medal of Honor recipient confesses to murdering his best friend during a battle on Iwo Jima almost 60 years ago. Believing there's more to the story, Gibbs and the team work to solve the mystery and save the man from going to prison.
Pre-Act 1
Phoomph: Gibbs
* Gibbs is coming to work and Cpl Ernie Yost arrives: I believe this is the first and only time we see the ground floor security area.
* Gibbs has a chat with Henry (the security guard) about a sushi place where you don't order but eat what you're served. I'm slow on the uptake because when I 1st watched this episode I should have realized that this was NOT an arbitrary conversation but I didn't - sigh.
* I was very touched by Gibbs' treatment of Ernie right from the very beginning.
* Why is Cpl Ernie Yost at NCIS? When his gun comes through the security scanner the good Cpl says he used it to kill a Marine.
Act 1
Phoomph: Gibbs
* None of Team Gibbs believe that Ernie killed anyone. They are kind but believe he's just a lonely older man who is suffering from delusions.
* Kate must not have been around too many military people in her life. Once a Marine (Sailor/Soldier/Airman) knows his/her service number it stays in your memory forever!
K: "Gibbs, I doubt that he could remember his shoe size."
G: "Cpl Yost?"
Y: "Yo."
G: "Serial Number!"
Y: "330090, Sir!"
Kate looked more than a little surprised.
* Need some help from someone more in the know (too lazy to look up right now):
Do Medal of Honor recipients still get to fly free?
* I really liked that Tony showed awe over Ernie's Medal of Honor.
* "Team Gibbs" still doesn't believe that Ernie killed his friend. HE can't remember why he would have done it.
* Gibbs has Tony take Ernie for a drink of water. Tony calls it a water cooler
E: "It's not a water cooler. It's called a scuttlebutt. How long you been in the Corps, kid?"
T: (very dryly ) "Since I met Gibbs."
* Mr. Durning was beyond wonderful when Ernie was talking about his recently deceased wife, Dorothy. That scene was simply heartbreaking.
* Enter Cmdr Faith Coleman - JAG lawyer. I know many of you like her as a potential match for Gibbs, but I can't come aboard. I find her rather cold.
She got involved at the request of the SecNav - Ernie sent confession letter which got read because it was from a Medal of Honor recipient. Says he killed Cpl Wade Kean.
Act 2
Phoomph: Ducky and Kate
* When Gibbs is getting ready to officially question Ernie (in interrogation) he states his name for the record: L. Jethro Gibbs.
* It's no wonder that Gibbs and his team didn't believe Ernie. He couldn't stay focused and couldn't recall any details. When Gibbs is about to call it quits Ernie remembers that he "bashed his brains in." When Ernie becomes distraught Gibbs gently tells him "You don't have to remember anymore." - this is one of the places I always cry.
* Tim is watching To The Shores of Iwo Jima,
Here is a clip: www.youtube.com/watch?v=elgziFn-6_c
when Tony walks up and thinks it The Sands of Iwo Jima
Easy mistake to make at 1st glance since the movie used footage from the documentary.
* Once Ernie remembered how he'd "killed" Wade, Gibbs had his body disinterred.
Wade L.(or I) Kean
US Marine Corps
World War II
Sept 18, 1924
March 03, 1945
* Mrs Dorothy Yost is buried nearby and still has flowers marking her grave.
* I haven't checked for sure but the Marine Honor Guard that came to to preside over the disinterment had to be the real thing - they were just that good.
At the risk of offending/insulting my fellow sailors - their funeral detail is massively more impressive than ours.
* Uh Oh. Cpl Kean's skull has an indentation that matches the butt of Cpl Yost's gun.
Act 3
Phoomph: Tony
* Cmdr Coleman is at NCIS "chatting" with Gibbs. Gosh I wish I could like her but scenes like this just reinforce my dislike.
She is pointing out all the reasons why she's going to charge Ernie.
He confessed by letter to the SecNav
Surrendered the "murder" weapon
ME (Ducky) Matched it to the wound on Cpl Kean's skull
C: "What more do you want?"
G: "Motive."
C: "I don't need motive to prosecute."
For me she was just too eager to do her job.
Gibbs tries to explain what it's like in combat - that your buddy, the guy next to you, is closer to you than your brother. Asks her: "Why would Yost do this?"
C: "God only knows."
She then gets tough and demands that Gibbs bring him to the brig at Quantico by 0800 in the morning.
Insert a bit of humor:
Loved that Gibbs let her think he escaped (Tony took him home) and Kate and McGee chime in.
M: "We found a window open. He must have shimmed down a drain pipe.
Of course she didn't believe any of them but hey, what could she do?
* Kate wondering if him being found guilty would be so bad since he might not serve any jail time. Glad Gibbs set her straight:
His honorable discharge would change to dishonorable
Loss of Medal of Honor
Die with undeserved guilt
- didn't mention but implied - would lose his veterans benefits.
* GOOD MORNING TONY! Military music.
* When Ernie was telling Tony the story about the torpedo shooting over the ship he and Wade were on was great BECAUSE it didn't look acted - It came across to me as Mr. Durning telling Michael a memory.
* Pictures are brought out. Including one of a young Dorothy.
T: "Oh man, she's hot." (realizes what he said) "Sorry, Ernie."
E: "That's OK kid, she was hot."
* Tony's jealousy remark "I'll bet your buddies were jealous" opened the door to memory even though he and Ernie didn't know it yet.
* Abby and McGee's work on making a recreation gives Gibbs a piece of info he's looking for. The Japanese soldiers were right on top of the Marines. Cpl Kean's legs were blown off and he had to be in agony. Gibbs realizes that Ernie probably hit his buddy to silence him, not to kill him.
* Awww. Loved Tony using the word "sweethearts" when talking about Dorothy and Wade - who were Prom Queen and King at their senior prom.
Act 4
Phoomph: 2 Sakai cups toasting
* At HQ Tony wonders aloud if they have to tell Cmdr Coleman about Wade and Dorothy. Gibbs knows he has to but a little part of him probably wishes they could keep it from her too.
* Bad news for Ernie. The last surviving Marine from Iwo dropped dead in Vegas last month.
* Lightbulb moment for Gibbs.
* Most poignant moment of the episode.
Kate dancing with Ernie as he sings "Begin the Beguine.
This another scene that didn't feel acted - it was Mr. Durning dancing with Sasha as Michael and Sean watched with affection.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJ4wpYFChYA
* Enter Cmdr Coleman and "The Olsen Twins."
When Ernie thanks her for coming to get him I think she was rather taken aback.
I loved when Tony thought she wasn't showing him enough respect that he pulled aside Ernie's tie to reveal the Medal of Honor.
She hesitated a split second before coming to attention but not the "twins" - they were lightening fast - wonder if these 2 were actual Active Duty Marines?
Note: Cmdr Coleman wouldn't have saluted because she wasn't wearing her cover. The "Twins" were wearing theirs due to their assignment as guards.
* Gibbs found a witness. McGee says he couldn't have unless he missed someone.
G: "No, all Marines are dead."
Ernie: "They (the "Twins") look alive."
* The witness is a Japanese gentlemen (the light was beginning to dawn on who he might really be)
* Coleman is not happy with Gibbs, asks what he’s up to. Answer: "the truth."
Now how can she argue with that???
* Creating the sounds and smells is a fantastic way to get repressed memory.
Lit matches = sulfur.
"To the Shores of Iwo Jima" playing on the TV monitor.
* My admiration of Mr. Durning during this scene was immeasurable. And I felt so bad for Ernie that he had to remember but was glad that he did so he could heal.
* FINALLY! Cmdr Coleman shows her humanity - she cries.
* This is another favorite scene. Gibbs and Ernie after he remembers.
Place: Squadroom.
Ernie is still not sure that he hit Wade out of necessity and not fear that Wade would want Dorothy back. Gibbs gently convinces him otherwise while kinda of futzing around at Kate's desk (Ernie is sitting at his).
G: "You met Dorothy in Hawaii? After you were wounded on Guadalcanal?"
E: "Yea. She was a Navy nurse.
G: "You decided to get married before you shipped off to Iwo?"
E: "I told you, it was love at first sight." (he actually told Tony this but he could have told Gibbs off-camera so I'll let it slide) "We were going to get hitched when one of us was discharged."
G: "Who was going to be your Best Man?"
E: "That was going to be Wade. He was......" "I asked Wade. He KNEW I was going to marry Dorothy. He said "no hard feelings" He felt we were meant for each other."
* G: "C'mon Cpl, let a Gunny buy you dinner."
E: "You were never an officer?"
G: "No. Hell no."
E: "I knew there was something about you I liked."
Loved the fake out "Uppercut" (at least that's what I think it's called - I'm SUCH a girl) that Ernie gave Gibbs.
* Dinner is at the Japanese restaurant that Gibbs and Henry were talking about at the beginning of the episode. The chef is (of course) the Japanese Lt who helped Ernie remember. Ernie realizes he was conned. Says to the chef - "and you, you were never on Iwo."
Lt: "Iwo, no.........Guadalcanal."
Great moment - second most poignant for me of the two old enemies sharing a toast.
