S14·E10 The Tie That Binds

Episode recap

In the tenth episode of the fourteenth season of NCIS, titled The Tie That Binds, the Major Case Response Team investigates the murder of a Navy captain. During the course of their investigation, the team tracks evidence directly to the deceased mother of Ducky. This discovery prompts Ducky to look back and reflect on a pivotal life choice that he had made thirty-seven years earlier, leading him to question that past decision.

The series follows the Major Case Response Team of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which investigates criminal cases connected to United States Navy and Marine Corps personnel and their families. The show deals with investigations ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines. The main cast includes Sean Murray, David McCallum, Mark Harmon, and Brian Dietzen, with characters such as Abby portrayed by Pauley Perrette, and other key figures added over the history of the series which originated from back-door pilot episodes on the show JAG in April 2003 before premiering as its own ongoing television series.