Ep 11. Left For Dead

Left For Dead is the eleventh episode of the first season of the popular American crime procedural drama television series NCIS. The episode was first aired on December 21, 2003, on CBS for its domestic audience and it was written by John C. Kelley and directed by Michael Zinberg.

The storyline of the episode revolves around the investigation of a case that involves the murder of two veteran Navy divers who seem to have died while they were trying to recover a piece of the wreckage of a sunken ship that was carrying a valuable stockpile of chemicals used in the production of nerve gas. The team at the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) office is assigned to investigate the case, and this includes series-protagonist Gibbs (Mark Harmon), his senior agent Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly), and his forensic expert, Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette).

The investigation begins with the discovery of a dead body in a submerged car, which belongs to one of the Navy divers, and from there, the team starts to piece together information about the diver's background, and the circumstances leading up to their deaths. The investigation leads the team to suspect that the killer or killers believed that the divers found the missing stockpile of deadly chemicals and wanted to silence them before they could expose the truth. As the investigation progresses, the team encounters several hurdles, including the involvement of a notorious drug cartel, the discovery of another dead body, and personal issues between the team members.

The episode features several exciting twists and turns, as the team tries to unravel the motive behind the murders and find the perpetrators. The story takes an unsuspecting turn when one of the suspects, who was presumed dead, resurfaces and provides the team with valuable information that leads to a break in the case.

Throughout the episode, the audience gets a glimpse into the personal lives of the characters, including their challenges, insecurities, and their relationships with each other. The episode culminates in a tense confrontation, where Gibbs and his team members risk their lives to apprehend the suspects and prevent an impending terrorist attack.

Overall, Left For Dead is a thrilling episode that showcases the abilities of the NCIS team and the intricate investigation process that goes into solving a complex crime. It is an excellent representation of the series' essence, which is a blend of action, drama, and humor. Viewers of the show can expect to be captivated by the storyline, intrigued by the character development, and impressed by the performances of the cast.