Hm, you're right, I may be letting my fears lead me down the garden path of woobifying Tony more than he deserves. I like my woobies, but I dislike it when I let those woobies blind me to other characters and their actual development on a show. I withdraw my grump and await further developments.

I see it more as McGee is finally getting the hang of being a part of the top-ranked NCIS team, more than as just the tech guy, and he's not used to the idea of being pursued--witness Gibbs yelling "Do I have to draw you a diagram!"

And Tony's got the derring-do thing down. He's learning how to be Gibbs Jr., he just has these occasional breakdowns into "Aiee! Physical danger! Run!" Torture at the hands of terrorists, yes, dogs, no. It's nice to see the handsome guy be the comedy relief. Not that I'd throw McGee out of bed for eating crackers.

Not that I'd throw McGee out of bed for eating crackers.

I would. He's just not my type at all. And I guess that's kind of why when Ziva said he was better looking than Tony and now he's got the polygraph lady chasing him, while Tony is making lame come-ons to Hanley, well, I'm just "there's something wrong with this picture."

Tony's come-ons are always lame. They sometimes work, but they're still lame.

And I could talk about geek stuff with McGee. The Trek debates could go for hours.

I didn't get the impression he was coming on to Hanley, and I liked that. He complimented her scarf, and then went on to give her policing advice. He was plenty mac-daddy when they were interviewing Ziva-replacements, but since he went on the foreign mission he's been fairly toned down. I was impressed with his restraint.

I'd kick McGee out of bed based on last season. I didn't like his haughtiness. I'm curious to see how they play him this year.

He complimented her scarf, and then went on to give her policing advice.

True. But later he was complimenting her on her sweater and he said he liked the stripes. Then asked her what brand it was. I wasn't sure if he was trying to hit on her or ask fashion advice. Hee. That's what I found lame. I did like the way he handled the scarf, though.

I didn't like his haughtiness.

I think this is what I'm afraid of. I'm preemptively disliking McGee before we see any actual behavior. In all seriousness, I think they've done a good job at showing how well Tony and McGee work together in every episode so far this season. I'm afraid of backsliding.

done a good job at showing how well Tony and McGee work together

I loved the montage of Tony and McGee on their own, and Tony's calling McGee "Tim" more often instead of just McGeek or variations. NCIS is one of the better-written shows, so I have hope.

But later he was complimenting her on her sweater and he said he liked the stripes.

For Tony that's positively tame, though. Compare that to his behaviour when they were interviewing--he's usually sexual harassment central.

I don't think NCIS is that well written, but I do enjoy it anyway. They get into ruts with their characters. It's about damned time Abby and Tony grow up, and it's nice to see Gibbs doing less derision and headslapping. I'm optimistic about this season, but it's not based on past performance.

I'd like to see Abby go back to being the competent and quirky Abby of the early series, not the breathless spaz that she became in the hands of writers who apparently didn't have a clue how to write someone like her. And if Tony never tosses off another movie reference, that would be good.

Tony's movie references have never bothered me. I've known that guy, and I haven't disliked him. His tendency to be sophomoric about women and about McGee, on the other hand--that I'd really like to lose.