S19·E1 Blood in the Water

Episode recap

The nineteenth season of the long-running crime drama NCIS begins with the episode titled Blood in the Water. The narrative centers on the Major Case Response Team as they initiate a search for Leroy Jethro Gibbs. This investigation is prompted by the discovery of wreckage from his boat. As the team works to locate him, they uncover information regarding his recent activities. It is revealed that Gibbs had been tracking a serial killer. He was conducting this investigation alongside journalist Marcie Warren, who had previously authored an exposé concerning him.

NCIS, which premiered in 2003, follows a specialized team of agents tasked with investigating criminal cases that involve personnel from the United States Navy and the Marine Corps, as well as their families. The series, created by Donald P. Bellisario and Don McGill, has maintained a focus on these military-connected crimes throughout its tenure. The production is a long-standing fixture of network television, having originated from two back-door pilot episodes of the series JAG that aired in April 2003. Over the course of its history, the show has featured a rotating cast of characters, including long-term contributors such as Sean Murray, David McCallum, Mark Harmon, and Brian Dietzen. The series continues to explore complex investigations, ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and the theft of military assets like submarines. The search for Gibbs serves as a significant development for the team as they navigate the implications of his secret investigation and the potential dangers posed by the serial killer he was pursuing. The episode highlights the ongoing commitment of the NCIS agents to their duties and their dedication to their colleagues, even when those colleagues are the subjects of the investigation. By connecting the wreckage of the boat to the work of Marcie Warren, the team begins to piece together the circumstances surrounding Gibbs's disappearance and the nature of the threat he was attempting to neutralize.