Cast roundtable (parts 1 & 2)

Ducky's World Behind the Set: The Production Design of NCIS

Dressed to Kill: Dressing the Sets of NCIS

Prop master Picture Perfect: The Looks of NCIS Season of Secrets

Select audio commentaries

Naval Criminal Investigative Service, better known as NCIS, has been delighting television audiences for five seaons, and season four is now available on DVD through Paramount Home Video in this 6 disc set. NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), is a former Marine gunnery sergeant, a stellar investigator and heads a fabulous cast in this crime/drama series. The team includes NCIS Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), an ex-homicide detective who sports an immature frat-boy attitude but a serious set of skills. Forensic specialist Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette) is my personal favorite. ***

It is not often that you see a character designed to represent a society's sub-culture, Goth/Techno in this case, portrayed in so well-rounded a manner. She's fun, quirky, adventurous, bold, but not to be out-done when it comes down the job at hand either! NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) is the brilliant computer genius who still struggles with his own feelings of inadequacies in the field. Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), is a former Moussad agent who rounds out the team and shares a unique bond with Gibbs over the death of his arch nemesis. Ari was a terrorist who killed a former NCIS Special Agent, and there is nothing that bonds collagues in this line of work quite like standing over the body of a worthy rival! Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard (David McCallum) is the medical examiner who works closely with the NCIS team, and NCIS director Jennifer Shepard (Lauren Holly) finds her position made a bit more challenging for sharing a romantic history with Gibbs.***

In this season's opener "Shalom", Ziva is framed for assassinating an Iranian prisoner and two FBI agents. This evokes a state of a impending diplomatic disaster between U.S. and Israel governments which is, sadly, a timely depiction. Throughout this season viewers will see: kidnappings, arms deals gone wrong, murder, bombings, terrorists, chemical threats, serial killings, exploding crypts, and miraculous awakenings on the autopsy table. Interspersed are lighter interactions between the characters like ribbing Gibbs about his mustache, or McGee's novel writing. Donald Bellisario, who also brought us Airwolf and Magnum P.I., delivers another dynamic character driven drama that has audiences riveted. That trademark humor really helps to balance out the shows heavier topics and darker moments, and I so amused that Bellisario's photo hangs on the NCIS's wall of Most Wanted individuals! ¨Great dialogue, consistent writing, action, drama, timely subjects, intriguing situations, and liberal doses of humor have combined for a winning combination in the award-winning NCIS.

Cast round table (parts 1 & 2)

Mark Harmon, Micheal Weatherly, Sean Murray, Cote de Pablo, Lauren Holly, Pauley Perrette and David McCallum have a celebratory dinner at a Steakhouse in Burbank California. Each of the cast answers questions sent to them by NCIS fans over the Internet regarding the NCIS season, their characters and even personal revealing questions about themselves. This has to be one of the most relaxed, revealing and unusual DVD extras that I've ever seen. We get to see the off-camera interactions of a close-knit group of colleagues, which makes it easy to see why it is so easy for the cast to portray this necessary element on screen. A truly wonderful feature and very enjoyable!

Ducky's World David McCallum gives us a guided tour of the autopsy room as Ducky. As informative as it was amusing.

Behind the Set:

The Production Design of NCIS - I always enjoy behind the scenes pieces. It's wonderful opportunity to get more insight into the actors and the show in general. A solid extra is delivered here.

Dressed to Kill: Dressing the Sets of NCIS discusses the wardrobe and sets of NCIS. Another solid feature that I would love to see on more DVDs. Along with the next on our list..

Prop master, which, as one might guess, discusses the props used in the show. Not every show or film would make for interesting segments looking at the product's props, but I believe most could if given half the chance. I am forever noticing small details and background items like photos, decor, and often find myself wondering what inspired the inclusion of a particularly effective prop or set element.

Picture Perfect: The Looks of NCIS covers the cinematography style of the show.

Season of Secrets is where Bellisario discusses all the many secrets the NCIS characters had in Season 4.

Audio Commentaries:

"Twisted Sister" with commentary by Sean Murray and Terence O'Hara; "Dead Man Walking" with audio commentary by Cote de Pablo and Sean Murray; "Skeletons" with audio commentary by David McCallum and Brian Dietzen (Jimmy Palmer); "Grace Period" with audio commentary by Micheal Weatherly; "Cover Story" with audio commentary by Sean Murray and Pauley Perette and finally the season finale, "Angel Of Death" with audio commentary by Donald P. Bellisario

Honestly, if every studio payed this much attention to the special features of their DVDs, they might be surprised at how many more people would be interested in purchasing rather than just viewing a show or film. This is the nicest set of extras I've seen on a TV DVD boxed set in a while. I can't help wondering why Paramount didn't pay the same attention to detail with the CSI NY set they also released this month. Thoroughly pleasing, interesting and sure to be a huge hit with fans of the show. Well done on this one though, Paramount!

Final Words: