Tony DiNozzo: Competent Agent, Frat Boy or something else?

[webbgirl]

After watching the past couple of seasons of NCIS in rapid succession, I had this post forming on Tony's character and his growth, or lack thereof.  I kept debating on whether to actually post it or not, then I saw a couple of spoilers for upcoming episodes In the upcoming episode Knockout (6.18) we're promised more info on Tony's background.  The writers (or producers can't remember which) also promised that we'll get lots of angsty info in the season finale on Tony. I'm personally hoping for some background that shows us why he reverts to the frat boy mentality and womanizer when things get too 'real' or uncomfortable for him.
Anyway, my post is more about Tony as a good agent than it is about other stuff.  Through all the seasons of NCIS we get glimpses of Tony being a really good investigator and having great instincts.  Unfortunately, these moments tend to be eclipsed by his goofing around or his attempts to show off for Gibbs. 

I'm going to lose my Gibbs/DiNozzo slasher card for this, but I think that him being around Gibbs is the problem.  I also think this is somewhat intentional on the writers parts. When we see Tony in charge of a situation (rather than following Gibbs' lead) we get to see his analytical skills and leadership capabilities. 

This is even evidenced in "Bait" when Tony has to take over when Gibbs ends up in the classroom with the kid. We also see it in "In The Zone" when Tony and Nikki (sp?) go to Baghdad.  Once they're in Baghdad, Tony was the epitome of a seasoned investigator.

Back to "Bait" though.  One of the things this episode highlighted for me was Tony's willingness to stand up to Jenny when he professionally disagreed with her.  He stood up to her in a way I don't think we've ever seen him stand up to Gibbs.  I don't think it was out of a lack of respect, but it felt more like him claiming his place as 'Senior Field Agent'.  It demonstrated it clearer than all of the times he's spouted the words to Ziva and McGee.

Question is, why has Tony never been able to stand up to Gibbs the way he stood up to Jenny?  When Gibbs returned to NCIS and essentially brushed Tony back into his place, Tony bowed back into his spot and deferred to Gibbs.  I know that they showed the awkwardness of the transition, but I felt like it was mostly played for laughs.  Though, I found the part of him turning down his own team for the sake of watching out for Gibbs heartbreaking.  Again though, he was able to be honest with Jenny about it.  I think if he'd been dealing with Gibbs in a similar situation he would have just played it off and made a joke.

My fondest desire for this season is that we finally get to really see Tony coming into his own, even when he's around Gibbs.  And that we get to see some honest acknowledgment that he's not just the comic relief.  I think it would be a natural outgrowth of what happened with Jeanne and Jenny.  Situations like that are either going to break someone or make them stronger in the long run.  I'd love to watch the process of the latter with Tony.

Any thoughts or comments from everyone else on this?

Comments

[captain-tiv.livejournal.com]

I wonder what happened between Tony and Gibbs when they first met. Given how Abby and Ducky feel about Tony and act around him, I get the feeling that there was this little foursome who got cases solved for a while. Then along came others.

There's definitely a father/son vibe going on with Gibbs and Tony IMHO as well as teacher/student and friend/friend. I think Tony never wants to disappoint Gibbs, practically breathes for a "Good work, DiNozzo" compliment from Gibbs. It's probably the only way Tony knows how to behave with someone he sees in that light?

[kelly-girl.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, definitely. Tony has Gibbs on a very high pedastal. He's shown many times and said things to let us know how he feels about Gibbs.

When asked by Kate about how many people have a 100% arrest rate, Tony's answer was Gibbs. He always wants to know more about Gibbs like in 'Heartland' where he wants to see Gibbs' hometown and meet his dad so much.

The slaps to his head that he lets only Gibbs do, I think Tony sees a form of affection and acknowledgment. And a way telling him to focus.

We know he keeps Gibbs' medals in a locked box in one of his desk drawers. I think to him Gibbs is the highest authority in the land.

[captain-tiv.livejournal.com]

I've had this view of Tony since I started watching the show -- he pretends to like everyone but in truth, he likes very few people. Out of that few, there are even fewer that he respects. Out of the few he respects, there are even fewer that he trusts. I think Gibbs is one of the extraordinary small number of people that Tony likes, respects and trusts.

I honestly think that something happened when they first met. I've got this plot bunny that they had to work together several times before Gibbs could recruit Tony (maybe there was a hiring freeze at NCIS). Maybe they worked together about 4 times, and on the fourth time, Tony took a bullet for Gibbs. While he's recuperating in the hospital, Gibbs asks, "How'd you like to work for me at NCIS?" That way, Tony is the ONLY person Gibbs has EVER asked to work for him. Everyone else, he just sort of orders to work for him. In Gibbs' eyes, that would put Tony on a more equal stance with him rather than some probie he shoved into the job.