NCIS In Review - The Immortals (Episode 1.4)

 NCIS In Review - The Immortals (Episode 1.4)

"Brad, a lively and intoxicated individual aboard a party boat, lets out a loud 'WOOOOO!'" reminiscent of Ric Flair and dismisses concerns about swimming in shark-infested waters

"Did you witness how I leaped over that fence?"

Episode: 1.4, "The Immortals"

Air Date: October 14, 2003

Victim: Seaman Russell McDonald is discovered at the ocean's floor in the Bahamas, adorned in naval attire and clutching a ceremonial sword. He's laden with barbell plates.

"Brad, a lively and intoxicated individual aboard a party boat, lets out a loud 'WOOOOO!'" reminiscent of Ric Flair and dismisses concerns about swimming in shark-infested waters, asserting, "Sharks go after seals, not tough guys like me." He plunges into the water and chances upon the deceased sailor. It's remarkable he didn't meet the same demise.

The narrative commences with the team scrutinizing Seaman McDonald's records at their headquarters. He was stationed on the U.S.S. Foster, a destroyer vessel.

Tony, aiming to delve deeper, visibly squirms while interviewing Seaman McDonald's mother. Throughout the discussion, the mother comes across as eccentric. She insists that Seaman McDonald didn't take his own life, deeming it a grave sin according to their Catholic beliefs.

The team visits the U.S.S. Foster. Seaman McDonald remained enigmatic; no one seemed to know him personally. He excelled in his role involving computer technology and devoted most of his time to work. His superior officer and a medical staff member speculate that he was troubled or preoccupied. The doctor theorizes that he was experiencing emotional turmoil, but there's no indication of suicidal tendencies.

Gibbs comes across a book indicating that Seaman McDonald was acquiring skills in swordsmanship. Abby discovers a manifesto linked to an online fantasy game titled "The Immortals." Gibbs remains unimpressed and even finds the notion amusing. Abby also observes signs of combat usage on the sword.

Ducky determines that Seaman McDonald was alive when he entered the water.

The team investigates potential swordfighting partners for Seaman McDonald. Gibbs inquires with the captain about a specific location, while Kate investigates medical records for indications of suspicious injuries aboard the ship. Tony travels to Puerto Rico to gather information about the sword purchase, a transaction that could only have taken place at the base exchange. Abby uncovers that Seaman McDonald engaged in the online game with an individual on the U.S.S. Foster. Gibbs grapples to comprehend the technological and cultural elements of the scenario.

Tony apprehends a base exchange worker selling swords to enlisted men, who are prohibited from possessing personal weapons on board. The worker becomes irate and starts shouting in Spanish. Eventually, Tony learns that Seaman McDonald and other sailors, as described by the worker, procured swords. By comparing these descriptions with Kate's investigation into sailor injuries, they identify a suspect, Petty Officer Ronald Zuger, conveniently stationed in the combat information center.

Abby gains access to Seaman McDonald's online character diary, while Kate begins perusing it. It turns out Seaman McDonald believed himself to be an immortal fantasy character under siege from others on the ship.

Gibbs interrogates PO Zuger and discovers that he engaged in the same online game with Seaman McDonald. In the game, their characters were adversaries. After Tony confiscates a sword from Zuger's storage area, Zuger confesses that their fantasy swordfighting spilled into the real world. However, he provides an alibi for Seaman McDonald's demise. At the time when Seaman McDonald went overboard, Zuger was assisting Seaman McDonald's bunkmate with computer issues.

In an unexpected twist, Seaman McDonald's diary reveals his intention to detonate a biological weapon on the ship by the next full moon. The team embarks on a search for the bomb as dusk descends.

Desperate, Gibbs applies physical pressure on Zuger, who admits to challenging Seaman McDonald, who believed himself to be immortal, to validate his immortality by swimming ashore with weights attached. Zuger informs Seaman McDonald that this feat would only validate his immortality if he traversed the underwater path to the shore. This clarifies how the body was discovered. Zuger explains that he allowed Seaman McDonald to undertake this challenge to "win the game."

PO Zuger provides limited assistance, leading the team to realize that Seaman McDonald intended to target the ship's captain rather than unleash a biological weapon. Kate and Tony reach the captain and Gibbs in time to relocate them away from a bomb in the captain's quarters, presumably placed there when Seaman McDonald aided the captain with his computer.

The episode concludes with Abby summarizing the motivations of Seaman McDonald and PO Zuger for Ducky, underscoring the episode's lack of coherence.

Notable Points:

• This marks the team's inaugural case at sea, highlighting the unpopularity of NCIS among ship crews.
• Gibbs mispronounces MMORPG due to his age and references Pong, emphasizing his cultural disconnection.
• Abby's signature beverage, Caf-Pow, makes appearances.
• Kate's Catholic faith becomes evident during a debate regarding the notion of Seaman McDonald's suicide.
• Tony's background as a Baltimore homicide detective is mentioned, although its consistency may vary.
• Tony assumes an undercover role for the first time, an experience that will recur with mixed outcomes.
• Tony demonstrates concern for Kate after an explosion, hinting at a deeper connection.
• Tony references his parents' encouragement toward sports, though this might conflict with later details.
• Despite the focus on gaming, the episode might resonate more with older viewers, leaving the intended message unclear.

In essence, the episode combines an unsympathetic victim, an unusual murder scheme, and an additional bomb subplot to extend the episode's duration. The team's division of labor and utilization of expertise contribute to a compelling procedural episode.

Therefore, this episode offers a solid story structure, although its plot itself is somewhat foolish. I would rate this episode Three Abbys, although that's mainly because I'm aware of the potential that this series CAN have.