NCIS In Review - My Other Left Foot (Episode 1.12)

 NCIS In Review - My Other Left Foot (Episode 1.12)

A homeless individual finds a dismembered leg, seemingly belonging to a Marine, in a trash bin.

Episode: 1.12, My Other Left Foot.

Air Date:  February 3, 2004.

Victim: After dedicating time to reflection, we have come to the conclusion that the dismembered leg of a Marine who initiated this situation belonged to First Class Marine Thomas Dorn.

A homeless individual finds a dismembered leg, seemingly belonging to a Marine, in a trash bin.

The leg bears a tattoo that reads "Semper fi" and is dressed in a uniform and boots. Thus, our protagonists are called to investigate in the rural west area of Virginia. Dr. Ducky believes the leg was dismembered postmortem. Armed with this sole clue, he withdraws to conduct research. Tony and Kate notice the tattoo on the victim and engage in a discussion during the episode about the location and meaning of Kate's tattoo.

In Abby's lab, Dr. Ducky explains to the audience how gas superglue can reveal fingerprints, even on a leg. Abby finds a partial print. She also examines a tree seed found on the leg to determine the body's location prior to dismemberment. According to Dr. Ducky, it's believed the leg was separated using a chainsaw. He discovers a titanium pin in the victim's ankle, whose serial number can be used to trace the surgery and the individual's identity.

Kate follows the trail of the ankle pin. The manufacturer indicates that it was sent to the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. Gibbs interviews Captain Brent Peters, the surgeon, who recalls implanting the pin in First Class Marine Thomas Dorn. Confusion arises during the conversation: Gibbs (via Dr. Ducky) believes the leg was severed within the last 24 hours, while Captain Peters asserts that military records show PFC Dorn died two years ago from a heart attack at the age of 22.

Back at headquarters, Gibbs questions whether there was an autopsy on PFC Dorn, who died two years ago, and Kate reveals there wasn't one - the attending physician in Harmony, WV, signed a death certificate but did not perform an autopsy. Tony downplays this as common practice in small towns, but Gibbs becomes irritated and instructs Tony and Kate to interview the doctor, exhume the body, and send it to Dr. Ducky. Gibbs's frustration is evident as they exit swiftly.

Abby doesn't find the leg's fingerprint in military records, but she discovers common hay inside the sock. She also identifies the seed in the boot as coming from a sycamore tree. So far, the investigation revolves around botanical evidence.

Kate and Tony travel to Harmony, WV, as per Gibbs's orders, while discussing the advantages of country and city life. Kate romanticizes rural life, while Tony critiques it (given he grew up in the countryside and wouldn't go back). They arrive at the doctor's office and meet Dr. Sylvia Chalmers, an elderly physician about to retire. Dr. Chalmers, who is also a medical examiner, recounts that "PFC Dorn" showed up at her office with heart attack symptoms and died shortly after. She didn't conduct an autopsy due to Dorn's sister's request, who lacked the means to send the body home, so she opted for cremation. Dr. Chalmers defends her decision, citing limited resources in small towns. Tony concludes the interview by showing a photo of PFC Dorn, but Dr. Chalmers doesn't recognize him. This raises suspicions that something more is going on.

Abby determines that the true victim, PFC Dorn, died from an overdose of a drug called digitalis - traces of the substance are found in the leg. Gibbs questions whether the drug could have been used to simulate a heart attack, suggesting that the deaths of the two Marines are related.

Tony and Kate report their findings. Gibbs inquires about PFC Dorn's sister, and they identify a half-sister named Melissa. Gibbs and Kate interview her, noting a sycamore tree in the backyard. The conversation with Melissa reveals that PFC Dorn had a $750,000 life insurance policy with her as the beneficiary. This leads to suspicions that someone would have lured the Marine to Harmony, administered the drug, avoided an autopsy, and then claimed the insurance.

Tony and Kate seek out the insurance adjuster who processed the claim. During the ride, they discuss Gibbs's relationship history and how he won over Melissa. The adjuster initially suspects the claim, but chooses to pay it to avoid legal trouble.

Gibbs and Dr. Ducky analyze the case and discuss the insurance scam theory. The main question is who recently killed PFC Dorn and why the leg was left in a trash bin. Ducky suggests that someone might have impersonated a Marine, inspiring Gibbs with this idea.

In the lab, Abby compares tree samples but gets a negative result.

Gibbs visits the base where PFC Dorn was stationed and interviews Marine Sergeant Vestman. The sergeant reminds Gibbs of the time he was a military police officer at Camp LeJeune. They discuss Dorn's past, his relationships with other Marines, and his cocaine overdose. The sergeant mentions Corporal Morgan, who went missing around the time of Dorn's death.

Gibbs joins Abby in the lab. She reveals that tree matching confirms Dorn's presence at Melissa's house, suggesting a motive.

The team returns to Melissa's house with a warrant. Tony finds evidence of dismemberment in the barn. As Gibbs questions Melissa, he obtains her fingerprints and DNA from a glass. Gibbs and Tony discover Dr. Chalmers hiding in the house. She's Melissa's mother and takes responsibility. She confesses to killing the real Dorn to collect the insurance, while Melissa thought he was alive.

Back at headquarters, the search for Dorn's remains continues, and Gibbs makes a joke about Kate's tattoo. The episode ends on an ironic note with a touch of mystery. While the plot is macabre, it's a storyline that translates well to TV, despite certain logic issues.

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