NCIS In Review - The Good Samaritan (Episode 1.14)

NCIS In Review - The Good Samaritan (Episode 1.14)

This doesn't apply here. This week takes a twist, with people who would normally be victims becoming the dark and feminine villain in a supposedly damaged vehicle, and a helpful and chivalrous victim. Discussing creative freedom with the formula.

Episode:  1.14, The Good Samaritan

Air Date:  February 17, 2004

Victim: Significant Number of Victims This Week. Is This an NCIS: Los Angeles? It starts with Lieutenant Commander Wayne Julius, a dentist at Naval Air Station Oceana. Next, a base contractor named David Truly. And prominently featured, Lieutenant James Seeger, a pilot at Oceana.

This doesn't apply here. This week takes a twist, with people who would normally be victims becoming the dark and feminine villain in a supposedly damaged vehicle, and a helpful and chivalrous victim. Discussing creative freedom with the formula.

The opening scene unfolds once again, beginning with a deserted rural road at night. An amiable Lieutenant Commander stops to help a woman whose car is stranded. She asks for help to call roadside assistance, and though nervous, he reassures her, mentioning he's a dentist and not carrying a weapon. These are the last famous words before his death, as she kills him.

The plot shifts to headquarters, where NCIS administrative members seek a local emergency contact for Kate. She and Tony debate whether he should be the contact. Given the circumstances (as seen in the previous 13 episodes), Kate is hesitant. Abby passes by and makes an observation about Libra, mentioning that Libras are "not lucky this week." Despite Abby's eccentricity, this intervention seems out of context, likely being a curious script choice.

Gibbs creates an intimidating aura as he arrives in the office with two cups of coffee. A call comes in, and the team heads to Grayson County. Local Sheriff Charlie Dupray meets the team, teasing Gibbs's first name, asking to be called Charlie, complimenting his looks, and soon deciding she won't yield jurisdiction during an election year. She sets the rules, delegating forensic analysis to Gibbs and his team, while she controls the situation, leading the investigations in Grayson County and taking the credit. Charlie's imposing dynamic leaves the viewers surprised. Gibbs acknowledges defeat and accepts Charlie's terms.

The body investigation reveals that the Lieutenant Commander seemingly stopped to help a distressed woman next to a car with issues. She asked for help to call roadside assistance. The Lieutenant Commander, a dentist by profession and unarmed, tries to calm her. These are his last words, as she kills him.

The plot continues at headquarters. Gibbs interrogates Commander Margaret Green, Lieutenant Commander Julius's superior, to gather information about his personal life. It becomes evident that he was competent at work but reserved. He had hobbies, such as collecting lunchboxes. The investigation into Lieutenant Seeger's murder is influenced by the previous crime, as the murders follow a similar pattern - shot in the back, hands tied, victim nude.

Autopsies reveal that the bullets that killed all victims are identical. Forensic analysis shows that the shot that hit Lieutenant Seeger was fired from a distance of 3-5 feet, with traces of latex gloves found at the scene. Abby also reveals that the flat tire on Lieutenant Commander Julius's car was intentionally deflated to simulate an accident, indicating careful murder planning.

Charlie returns with information about Mrs. Seeger's supposed alibi, but the details don't add up. The team then discovers that Mrs. Seeger had an identical twin sister, leading to a more complex mystery. In the conclusion, Gibbs arrests the true murderer, Mrs. Seeger, who was trying to cover up her crimes by pretending to be an innocent victim and creating a serial killer scenario.

While the episode is entertaining, it ends up falling into exaggerated clichés, particularly when introducing an identical twin sister as part of the plot. This twist might seem unlikely and challenging for the viewer's suspension of disbelief.

Four Abby´s