If you’ve watched TV long enough, you’ve likely realized that one of the ways to introduce new shows is by spinning them off from established franchises. Think CSI or Law & Order. The technical term (okay so I don’t actually know that it’s the real technical term) for it is “back door pilot”. You’re introduced to the new cast of characters and sometimes it is successful in garnering interest in the new series and sometimes it falls flat on its face. So I’ve chosen to examine what I think makes 3 back door pilots successful (or not).
JAG=>NCIS
So, I will admit that I tried to watch the pilot of JAG a while back and though it was so bad that I couldn’t even watch the whole episode. I suppose in a sense that saved me from having to get through 10 seasons of the show. I was originally interested in the show because I knew it was the show that preceded NCIS. So, I hunted on IMDB to find out which episodes of JAG Mark Harmon was in. And therefore, decided to watch just those episodes to see how well JAG could do a back door pilot. This section of the post may be a little skewed seeing as I did not avidly watch the parent show but I’ll do my best.
A brief case review: The body of a JAG lieutenant is found and Harm (the lead of JAG) is the prime suspect in the death. NCIS, led by Agent Jethro Gibbs and accompanied by Very Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, one forensic guru, Abby Sciuto and one witty medical examiner, Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard investigate the case. It appears that Harm is the killer but as the trial progresses; NCIS discovers irregularities that lead them to the real killer. Back at the Navy yard, the Navy is trying to break a terrorist to stop an attack on a navy asset.
What makes it good: So I will admit that I wasn’t all that invested in the JAG characters. I still don’t 100% understand the function of JAG officers. I know they’re lawyers but I guess I’m just not sure whether they act as lawyers or in a judge type role. Anyway, much like how the NCIS->NCIS: LA episodes began with the new guys, this episode opened with NCIS arriving at a crime scene. I do have to say I think the acting on JAG improved from the pilot. Anyway, one thing that surprised me was how many of the original NCIS cast was in this episode. Everyone except for McGee and Kate were in this episode. I have to say, I was very surprised by how young Mark Harmon looked. How young everyone looked actually. I also liked that they had continuity with the Director o NCIS from these 2 episodes to the first season of NCIS. Knowing what I do now about these characters, it was fascinating to see how they were first imagined. Gibbs was a lot more light-hearted than in the series and Abby wasn’t quite as wacky and hyper. Tony wasn’t quite as snobby nor did he quote movies/TV shows. I am kind of glad we don’t see a lot of the team testifying in NCIS. I mean, sure Abby does on occasion but usually the rest of the investigators don’t. She was pretty adorable on JAG though. So was Ducky. He rambled off on one of his many stories. Gibbs was just generally badass and wasn’t afraid to change his opinion when new information surfaced. We got a little of Gibbs’ sniper training when they finally took down the terrorists. Overall, I found this back door pilot to be a good precursor to NCIS.
NCIS=>NCIS: LOS ANGELES
Having come into NCIS later in the game (around season 4 or 5) I had to go back and watch the early seasons. This of course was aided by me ordering the first 5 seasons on DVD. I realized very fast that it was a great show and had a strong ensemble cast. So I wasn’t all that surprised when the writers decided to spin-off a new series. I will admit I was a little skeptical of what it would be like but I gave it a try and I’m very glad I did.
A brief case review: A case based in Los Angeles focused on international weapons dealing is linked to the death of a naval officer in DC and it brings together our Virginia-based NCIS team, led by Gibbs and the LA based Office of Special Programs (OSP) led by Agent Macey. OSP deals with undercover operations and surveillance. It turns out that the naval officer was being forced to provide money for the weapons dealer who is tied to a terrorist group. One of Macey’s agents, Callen, goes undercover as the weapons dealer after a shoot-out ends in the real dealer’s death. It turns out Ziva’s Mossad boyfriend, Michael (who we see much more of in the final two episodes of season 6 of NCIS) shows up to meet with Callen. Both NCIS and Mossad want to take down the terrorists but Michael’s interfering with the investigation.
What makes it good: The first of the two-part introduction to OPS began with the LA team on an op. It transitioned straight to Gibbs’ team in Virginia and it just felt seamless. The cases tied together in an interesting way and we got to see a new side of NCIS. McGee gets to make the trip to LA with Gibbs and he’s thrilled with all the high-tech gadgets OSP has at their disposal. It also not only continues the overall season arc of NCIS but it sets up the final two episodes of the season remarkably well. I will say I kind of wonder why they god rid of Macey and Agent Renko. They were replaced by Operations Manager Henrietta “Hettie” Lang (Linda Hunt) and green Agent Dominic Vail when NCIS: LA premiered. The chemistry between the LA team was so smooth and easy to watch and they also fit in well with Gibbs and McGee. I like that the back story they developed for Macey and Gibbs was consistent with information we’d learned in previous seasons about his first wife and daughter and their murder. We also got to see how the rest of Gibbs’ team (Tony, Ziva and Abby) fit into the storyline as well as ramping up the tension between Tony and Ziva. This had all the things that make a back door pilot good. Great casting, great acting and great storytelling.
CRIMINAL MINDS=>CRIMINAL MINDS: SUSPECT BEHAVIOR
I’m a big fan of Criminal Minds. I’ve liked all the characters we’ve had. In fact, it has spawned some interesting fanfiction back in the day. But unlike NCIS, I wasn’t 100% sure a spin-off would work. For one thing, up until now, the show gave the impression that our team based out of Quantico was it. It was the only BAU. So that was a strike against the newbies before they even started. But, I figured I’d at least give it a shot when the episode aired.
A brief case review: The BAU is called in when a father and daughter go missing. They partner with a new BAU team, led by Forest Whitaker’s character, Special Agent Sam Cooper. Between the two of them, they manage to find the Unsub (unknown subject) and rescue the father and daughter, though not after the father had to kill several people just to stay alive.
What makes it bad: In general, the gruesome factor of Criminal Minds doesn’t tend to bother me. But something about this case just freaked me out. It was brutal and just too dark. With that in mind, we got the new BAU team in play. They’re nothing like our regular team. They’re much grittier and kind of do what they want. I also didn’t feel any real connection to the team, like I did with the OSP crew on NCIS. They tried to show that Cooper and Hotch had a background together but I just didn’t feel it. Plus, the other team members had kind of shady back stories. Prophet had been in prison for something like 6 years, which I’m pretty sure doesn’t allow you to join any federal agency. So that was a huge stretch of logic. Another big stretch, was Mick. He used to be MI6, so I don’t know how he could then join the FBI, since he’s not an American citizen. It was these kinds of leaps in logic that made me really dislike this episode as well as the new characters they were trying to introduce. Plus, and I know it sounds mean, but Forest Whitaker’s eye that droops just bothers me. It’s gotten worse over the years. I know he probably doesn’t have any control over it but it just is very distracting. I think another reason that this team didn’t work for me was because we didn’t’ really have time to get to know them. With JAG and NCIS we were given two episodes to bond with the new characters. Here we had one and it felt very rushed. So, even though Garcia is supposed to also be in the spin-off, I won’t be watching.
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