'NCIS': Training Day
After ceding airtime to the forces of democracy last week, NCIS returns to a storyline last visited in the season premiere. It doesn't take Anderson Cooper to figure out we're going to blow the lid on the mole storyline sooner rather than later. Tonight, we get to a more immediate problem: who in their right mind would rob a bank on a secure military base?
These Spoilers have counted to infinity... twice.
We open to find the armored truck has just finished its delivery to the bank at Quantico. The guard on duty, one Ray Vittorio, goes into the bathroom to clean up an unfortunate ice cream incident only to emerge in the middle of a bank robbery. Before he can even reach for his gun, the robbers pop a shot right into his forehead.
The gang arrives to find only $27,000 was taken. Even more remarkable is the face somebody had the cojones to hit the bank in the first place... what with it being in Quantico and all! Ziva and DiNozzo attempt to gather witness stories, yet none of them even come close to being on the same page. They brief Gibbs when he gets a hot lead on a possible getaway vehicle. DiNozzo and McGee track it down, only to find the white Chevy Suburban en fuego.
Back at NCIS, Vance introduces the gang to one of the newest trainees. Dwayne Wilson has knowledge of Quantico and has been temporarily assigned to the gang. He immediately proves his usefulness by sharing that if the thieves had waited three more days, the bank would have had far more money due to a holiday.
McGee is analyzing the video, the important scene practically non-existent. Gibbs is upset at this development, but even more so at the thought of a newbie being added without his knowledge or approval. He goes to Vance and insists the guy be sent away, which allows Vance to bring up the whole Special Agent Langer situation.
Looking for good news, Gibbs heads to "Abbyville" to find her showing off the lab to Dwayne. The good news comes in the form of finding the SUV was set on fire to burn the money. Is it a robbery, or something more? In the bullpen, the gang is going through theory after theory, none of which all sound great. Dwayne offers the idea to go through FBI files of unsolved robberies involving the same security camera problem. Due to his lack of input, DiNozzo is assigned to help.
The FBI files are delivered; dozens of boxes full of files meant to turn the NCIS team off the case and into the loving arms of the FBI. DiNozzo wastes no time ripping Dwayne a new one, saying the rookie broke Gibbs' rule #13: never, never involve lawyers. Is it just me, or is DiNozzo trying to turn Gibbs into the next Chuck Norris. The backstory on Dwayne reveals he joined NCIS because his Marine dad was exonerated of charges against him by an obsessive NIS agent, so he wants nothing more than to give back. To no one's surprise, DiNozzo confesses he's in it for the guns and the babes.
Special Agent Mole... er, Michelle Lee, enters Vance's office. Seems he's looking to rid himself of certain agents signed on before he assumed power and he's looking for her legal advice. Once she advises, she exits to the bullpen and literally runs into Gibbs. What ensues is one the shortest, yet most uncomfortable conversations I've ever seen on television. Lucky for Gibbs, he gets the call to see Vance. Turns out the director wants to have him do a written evaluation on Dwayne.
Ducky tells Gibbs the obvious about the guard. Leroy decides he just cannot complete the psychological profile of Dwayne, so he hands it off to a stunned Ducky. Meanwhile, McGee and Ziva show Gibbs a part of the video showing the bank three days prior being cased by the Suburban in question. They freeze frame and find a different guard on duty that day. The gang arrive at the conclusion the robbery was nothing more than a cover to kill Ray Vittorio. Video from a jewelry store six months prior shows a robbery with the same scenario, but without a death.
Ducky finishes evaluation on Trainee Dwayne. He's street smart, unrelenting to the point of obsession, acts on his gut and is never wrong. His only down side seems to be the obsessive factor has taken a toll on his personal life, having been married four times and divorced three. In the same breath, Ducky calls Gibbs on his inability to trust again after the whole Langer deal. DiNozzo takes the time to interview Paul Harris, the man behind the security video system at both the Quantico bank and Klaasson's Diamond Boutique. The system can be attacked by overloading the internet system, hence why the video is conveniently absent at the exact time in question. Mr. Harris claims to be fixing the flaw, but DiNozzo suspects Paul has motive... except he's about to marry one of the largest wine magnates in the world.
They find Ray has a son with a bigger rap sheet than Daddy. Abby's analyzing the jewelry store video with McGee when she spots a guy with a tattoo that she's seen before. The tattoo guy is James Meyers, who just happens to be one of the "innocent" at the bank. Surprise surprise, a former cellmate of his was Joey Vittorio, Ray's son. The gang head off to Ray's funeral to see if Joey is there, pulling up to find everyone leaving. They spread out and can't find him... that is until a scuffle breaks out on the other side. Seems the mob want a piece of Joey and are trying to take off with him. Dwayne provides interference by not only blocking the SUV from leaving; he also takes care of an innocent grandma. The SUV is blocked in. Sensing no way out, the mobsters take shots at the NCIS team, but Gibbs and DiNozzo effectively take out the enforcers and save the day once again.
Back at NCIS, Special Agent Mole bumps into Gibbs once again, this encounter even more uncomfortable than the last. Gibbs drops off his recommendation of Trainee Dwayne to Vance. It's blank, which means it has the Gibbs Seal of Approvalâ„¢. At the bar, Gibbs walks over to the remembrance wall and places a photo of Langer next to those who died in the line of fire. Could he be onto Michelle Lee?
Next time on NCIS, there's a traitor amongst the team... and it's Abby (if we're inclined to believe the promo!)
Seems we might get a resolution to the Langer storyline soon, if not next week... what do you think? Could we be adding Dwayne Wilson to the team by season's end? If Grey's Anatomy can spin-off Private Practice, would it be too much to ask for a new hour starring Ducky?
You have seemed to miss Gibb's illumination came from the realization that he could not have been wrong about Langer, which has been surreptitiously eating at him, and more importantly that means the bad apple has to be Lee.
Once Ducky opened his eyes to the fact of his self doubt the pieces began to fit in place about Lee.
Good episode
I think Gibbs suspected Lee at the end of that first episode as he looked at her when she was getting onto the elevator. I think he's biding his time before he starts the process to out her.
I loved when Gibbs put Langer's picture on the wall of the fallen. Wonderful touch.
P.S. I actually was sorry when Langer was killed in the first episode. I liked him as an actor and would liked to have seen more of him. :)
Dwayne Wilson should be added as a cast member. I also think that Gibbs is on to Lee.
P.S. I love the "Gibbs Seal of Approvalâ„¢"
This show just keeps getting better and better. Amazing! Loved how Gibbs got his confidence in his ability to spot a good agent back. Can't wait till next week's episode.
Love this show! The characters are all fully developed and interesting in completely different ways from each other. The storylines are complex, but not confusing. Often don't have a clue what is coming until it hits me upside the head. Love that in storytelling. Would hate to see any of the characters spun off in to their shows, because that would take away from this great show.
Oh yeah, Gibbs is onto Lee. Didn't you feel the temperature drop five degrees when he looked at her with that steely gaze.
We had a picture of the actress of Jessica Steen who played an agent for a few episodes before getting blown up. Surprised we didn't see a picture of Kate on the wall also.
I too immediately looked for a picture of Kate(still miss her)on the wall & then I looked for Jen's picture too. It took me a moment to remember that she did not officially die in the line of duty - but in a common house fire. I'm still not 100% convinced that Lee is the mole (I'm holding on to the idea that the text was between her & Palmer, still trying to keep their affair quiet) - I know how this show loves misdirection, but I think we'll get this resolved soon. And maybe we could get Ducky's show as a prequel? He certainly has enough stories!!!
DiNozzo needs to stop being a brown-noser re: Gibbs. He's his own man by now. DiNozzo's getting too long in the tooth to still be agog with What Would Gibbs Do (WWGD); and the next time he corrects someone about, the character should say, I Don't Give a F**K about Gibbs' rules.
Dwayne should stay on as a team member. Something very naturally likable about him and his character. More great casting for this show.
Get rid of DiNozzo and replace him with Dwayne Wilson
The DiNozzo character spoils the show