By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — Fictional agents Ziva David of NCIS and Eyal Lavin of Covert Affairs are unlikely to be assigned to a case together, if only because their shows are on different networks, respectively CBS and USA.
But I would be fascinated by the prospect of a joint interview of actress Cote de Pablo and actor Oded Fehr concerning the reactions they get from American viewers to their respective Israeli characters. Both play spies trained by the Mossad, who are now in conflict with that organization.
In the NCIS series, David — whose stern, even severe, father Eli David is the head of Mossad — has bolted the Israeli spy organization, and has become a citizen of the United States. Her loyalty and skills now serve her friends at the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
In Covert Affairs, we know less of Eyal Lavin’s back story, but we do know that he has developed a romantic interest in Annie Walker, the CIA operative who is portrayed by Piper Perabo, the star of the show. Their relationship has developed to such a point that both have aroused the suspicions of their superiors. In Eyal’s case, he has apparently decided to bolt the Massad and go rogue. I say “apparently” because in television’s spy business, nothing is as it seems.
De Pablo is a Catholic from Chile, whereas Fehr is a Jewish Israeli. How do these performers’ different backgrounds influence the ways they view their characters, the mission of the real Mossad, and the predicament of Israel in world affairs?
Do fans and critics view de Pablo and Fehr as extensions of the Israeli-Arab conflict? Are they getting lots of love and appreciation from pro-Israel viewers, and, conversely, are they receiving hate mail from those in the anti-Israel crowd?
Do the requirements of drama alone drive the series, or are there political considerations with which the actors, writers, producers and directors of the series must contend?
Such questions may not be as trivial as one might imagine. Israel needs all the good P-R it can get, and here–with some flaws–are two very positive characters who are beamed into North American households on a regular basis. De Pablo shows up in nearly every episode of NCIS, whereas Fehr has a recurring role on Covert Affairs.
These Israelis tend to be positive, if complex, characters, whereas their opponents from the Middle East tend to be less finely sculpted characters. More typically they are villains who are done away within a few episodes. But where the dramas will take us in the future is anyone’s guess.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com