Overview: NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) is more than just an action drama. With liberal doses of humor, it's a show that focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations.

DVD Verdict: Television is an medium which cannibilizes its own successes, where one hit show inspires more variations on the same formula every pilot season. Those shows that invariably succeed do so because they take a formula and make it unique to their show. This is the case with NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service. It first appeared to be a combination of CSI and JAG, not shocking considering JAG producer Bellisario's involvement as creator and executive producer and CSI's overwhelming success. What it showed throughout its first season clear through to this its fourth season is that NCIS stands out in its own right through clever writing and great acting, making for solid, entertaining TV drawing a devoted fan base.

NCIS is the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, responsible for crimes by and against members of the United States Navy and US Marine Corps. The team of NCIS agents introduced in that first season is led by former Marine Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a tough no-nonsense leader and interrogator. The team also includes ex-homicide detective Special Agent Anthony DiNozzi (Michael Weatherly), former Secret Service Special Agent Kate Todd (Sasha Alexander), goth forensics expert Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), computer specialist and rookie Agent Tim McGee (Sean Murray), and quirky coroner Doctor Donald "Ducky" Mallard (David McCallum). Each actor does an exceptional job developing their character, especially Perrette who makes Abby one of the best and most intriguing characters on TV.

Indeed, as pointed out this fourth season is a great continuation of this fantastic series. The writing has remained consistently great. Well written plots, with great dialogue make for a good show. It is the development of the characters that separates this from other good shows. As real people do, these characters grow and change with their experiences. This season started with a bang, literally. This season also contained more story arcs that run through the season and collide together at the cliffhanger. Always entertaining with plenty of action and drama, but also full of humor, NCIS is simply great. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

Cast and Crew Commentaries on Select Episodes
Cast Roundtable (Parts 1&2)
Ducky's World
Behind The Set: The Production Design of N.C.I.S.
Dressed To Kill: Dressing The Sets of N.C.I.S.
Prop Master
Picture Perfect: The Looks of N.C.I.S.
Season Of Secrets