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« Cote's NCIS Blog
Once a Hero
Many people may not know this, but shooting an NCIS episode is a lot of hard work and the schedule is absolutely crazy! But all that said, I have to say it is also one of my favorite things to do. I get to hang out and "play" with my friends, and laugh between takes with some of the funniest and silliest characters I have ever met.
We shot the April 17 episode, "Once a Hero," a long time ago, and when I say a long time ago it may very well be two to three months ago. You lose perspective of time when you shoot, and I think all of us in the cast will agree with that statement. It has turned into a joke between us. As far as the episode goes, I don't remember the plot as much as I remember what happened behind the scenes. We shot part of this story in a hotel, somewhere close to the airport. I remember we were all wearing our "nice" secret-agent clothing, which in my case was a black skirt, a jacket, and a pair of heels, and my hair was sleeked back into a very clean ponytail. We were on set early — NCIS early, which can be anywhere from 6 am to 8 am, and when you live half an hour from the airport, that can be pretty early.
During one of the many little breaks we get between camera setups, I saw Mark Harmon talking to a very normal-looking man and a very pale, thin woman. Nothing out of the ordinary about Mark Harmon talking to people; he will always say hello and give an autograph or take a picture. I sat on my chair looking at Mark as he seemed to get more and more into the conversation. Suddenly he waved to me and said, "Come on over, come say hi" and so I did.
It turns out this couple was in Los Angeles on a very important mission. The pale, thin woman was fighting tooth and nail with cancer, and when I say tooth and nail, I mean this woman weighed 90 pounds, maybe less. She had very little hair, if any, and had tried all sorts of treatments — she was fighting. The man was her husband, who had been with her from the beginning of the nightmare every step of the way. It just so happened that NCIS was her favorite show and she could not believe that on that particular morning, when she was going back to Canada and back to her kids and family, she had bumped into the whole cast.
Now, I don't believe in coincidences. I believe that the universe will come together and give you what you need, when you least expect it. The truth is that meeting someone who is so sick and fragile puts life into perspective. I felt something very special in her company, I can't quite put it into words; all I can say is that we were all very blessed by meeting that woman that day. Her strength, her husband and his absolute commitment, redefined the meaning of love and took it to a level that was incredibly simple to understand. It did not need words. It simply was. We were the fortunate ones to have met her. All of us felt the same. We were all touched and I feel like the universe came together and gave us a big lesson that day. I am sure we all went home and called our loved ones to remind them just how much we cared.
I don't know what happened to the woman and her fight. I hope she is surrounded by her loved ones in Canada and still fighting. I think about her sometimes and I send her good vibes from afar. That is what I remember about shooting this episode.
Get more NCIS at the show's official site.
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Apr 12, 2007 7:38 PM
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That's a beautiful story. I have long suspected that the cast/crew of NCIS were a great group of people.
Joni
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Apr 12, 2007 8:03 PM
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Cote,
So very nice to meet you in "person". I can't believe a honest to goodness cast member from one of my favorite shows is actually posting here on tvguide.com! 
Thanks for sharing your behind the scene story about the upcoming episode. Now and forever more, whenever we watch it, we will always think of that special couple.
And many more good vibes will be sent their way just because you posted their story for us fans to see!
Saving Grace
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Apr 12, 2007 10:09 PM
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It's a sad, but true fact that for many people some of our best friends are television characters. We live our lives and fight our personal battles with the everyday trivialities of being alive in a world in which we have little—to no—control over. TV shows and video games provide us with a break from our personal problems and demons.
In the days of yesteryear, people spent more quality time with other living beings over church socials, neighborly visits, and outdoor pastimes. Today, we have become indoor, anti-social creatures thanks to our busy schedules and technology (computers, the Internet, cell phones, game consoles, big screen TVs, etc.) . Nowadays, people fight harder to keep their favorite TV shows in production, rather than the real problems that face us in our everyday lives like jobs, food, water, shelter, pollution, health care, crime, etc. In our own minds, we relate more with Tony and Ziva, Booth and Bones, Meredith and McDreamy, Veronica and Logan, James (Sawyer) and Kate, well...you get the picture, than with our neighbors.
I love my TV as much as the next Trekie, Scaper, Squint,...er, fanatic, but I know that if my family, friends, or neighbors need help, they can count on me to be there in a pinch. My dvrs will record what I want, and I can always rescue Zelda, or play StarCraft, later.
I've known about Mr. Harmon's generous nature for quite some time and to say that it is inspiring is an understatement. We usually hear, or see, a star (and unfortunately a role model for most) behaving in the most debauched ways. So, thanks Cote, and the rest of your TV family, for being role models in a world where we need all that we can get. Keep up the great work, and I hope your run is as long as JAG's.
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Apr 12, 2007 10:29 PM
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Thanks for sharing Cote. The show has gotten better with each episode. Keep it up!
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Apr 13, 2007 8:02 AM
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Thank you for sharing that beautiful story, Cote. The woman's strength is inspirational (she must have been so excited to meet you all when she was going through such a dark time!). It is also nice to hear a story of celebrities behaving with such compassion when all we ever seem to see on the news are tales of bad behavior.
Enjoy your hiatus and keep up the good work on NCIS. I love the show!
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Apr 13, 2007 11:19 AM
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Hi Cote ~ My family and I love NCIS and have enjoyed your addition to the team. Thank you for stopping by with this great story. I agree with you, I believe she was meant to meet all of you. It's nice that you took something positive away from the meeting as well.
Great first blog! Looking forward to getting your view of things in the future.
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Apr 14, 2007 11:44 PM
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Hi, Cote
Thanks for taking the time to blog for us! I have always loved NCIS and was a little worried when they had to add a new cast member. You are wonderful. I love the dynamic between Ziva & Tony. I am glad that it has remained a friendly, teasing relationship and not gone beyond that. Thank you for sharing that beautiful story. My thoughts and prayers go out the lady and to all of you at NCIS.
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Apr 17, 2007 10:48 AM
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Great story. Thanks for sharing it. After the Virginia Tech massacre we need uplifting stuff.
Margie in Florida
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Apr 18, 2007 8:37 PM
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Just want to say that I'm so proud to see that you have followed your dreams! I remember when you and I use to make up our own talk show videos at your moms house and we called the show "Vogue" I wonder if you still have them? Anyways, I always new you would do something wonderful with your talent. God bless!
Jessica (WOOD) Daniels
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Apr 21, 2007 9:31 PM
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Hi Cote!
I'm so glad you're writing this blog, cause I really wished I could get to know you better, and this is one way to do so. I've always liked NCIS, but I actually started *loving* it when you joined. I was prejudiced about Ziva, at first, and I felt like I had to hate her, but, jeez, you turned everything upside down, and now I have to say she's probably my favourite character ever. You're doing a great job with her, and I was so pleased to see that you're not just very beautiful, but even so talented.
You rock girl, just be aware of this. 
Love,
Luna
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Apr 23, 2007 8:50 AM
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It's so great to see such a great blog from you, Cote. I love hearing about things that go on for NCIS, especially when it's so heartfelt. Thank you for this.
Kit from Cote de Pablo Network.
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Apr 23, 2007 2:45 PM
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WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that made me cry.I love stories like that and i also hope that she is still "Fighting".I lost my aunt 2 yrs ago with Cancer and it hurt me more to see my Mother sad and cry over her beautiful Sister.Hope to talk with you sometime...George Gomez
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Apr 28, 2007 9:27 PM
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It's good to know that L.A. shelters sensitive beings and that lady doctor Maggie Rice can really face the meeting of a special friend there.
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Jun 19, 2007 9:25 AM
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nice!
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