PTSD…Post-traumatic stress disorder…a term that has become common in the vernacular over the past two decades, and unfortunately, has increased in usage over the past few months.
Like many in real life, NCIS characters, Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and McGee (Sean Murray) have suffered unspeakable stress recently and now are tasked with the challenge of coping. While “real life” is different from “reel life,” NCIS shines a light on the fact that anyone, even a tough guy like Gibbs, may need a hand, on occasion.
Although Gibbs and McGee seem to be on the mend, physically, the stress of months of torture during their captivity in Paraguay still lingers. When Dr. Grace Confalone (returning guest star Laura San Giacomo) approaches Gibbs about the mandatory psychiatric evaluation he needs to pass to return to work, Jethro graciously complies. His willingness to cooperate, previously out of character, highlights that anyone, even Gibbs, can learn to recognize when they need help. McGee, with a wife in a wheelchair and a baby on the way, has even more reasons to stress than his boss.
But tonight’s episode, “Twofer,” is not just about their struggles. Something strange has happened in a local cemetery.
NCIS is called in to investigate the discovery of the body of a missing Navy Lieutenant. The Lieutenant’s body is located by a cemetery grounds crew while it is relocating caskets. Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) warns, “You mess with the dead…they mess with you.”
Is that why Palmer (Brian Dietzen) hurtles to the floor in Autopsy?
As Gibbs and McGee wait to be cleared for full duty, Bishop (Emily Wickersham) continues to lead the team. Watch for some snappy repartee as she pushes Torres’s buttons a bit. That should bring a welcomed smile. The images from the disasters and unmitigated violence of the past few weeks have affected many. Even if we are not involved directly, the impact of recent events is still disturbing. If you need to talk to someone, be tough like Gibbs…ask for help.
NCIS also stars David McCallum, Pauley Perrette, Duane Henry and Rocky Carroll. Guest stars tonight are Coby Ryan McLaughlin, A. Leslie Kies, Todd Giebenhain, Amad Jackson, Peggy Dunne, Matt Knudsen, Judy Kain, Kristen O’Meara, Jun Kim and Bo Youngblood.
“Twofer” was written by Scott Williams and directed by James Whitmore, Jr.
NCIS airs tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS (U.S.) and Global (Canada).
