Ep 15. The Good Samaritan

The episode "The Good Samaritan" is from the first season of NCIS. It revolves around a case that the team is called in to investigate. The episode starts with a homeless man being attacked and left for dead. He is found by a passerby who calls the police, and the investigation is handed over to the NCIS team.

The team quickly gather at the crime scene, and it is revealed that the victim is a Navy SEAL. The team discovers that the SEAL was charged with desertion and was dishonorably discharged from service. However, he was acquitted of the charges and was reinstated into the Navy. The team is now puzzled by the motive behind the attack, as the victim's past doesn't seem to be a strong enough reason.

The team starts exploring the victim's life, and it is discovered that he had been in touch with a woman who ran a shelter for homeless veterans. The team talks to the woman, who tells them that the victim had been a regular visitor to the shelter. She also reveals that he was a generous person who always helped out others, which leads them to believe that someone may have taken advantage of his generosity.

The team also discovers that the victim had been receiving anonymous calls from someone who had been threatening him. The team tracks down the caller and discovers that it is a former colleague of the victim who had also been dishonorably discharged from the Navy. The colleague admits to making the calls, but he denies any involvement in the attack. However, he tells the team that the victim had been having money troubles and had been borrowing from loan sharks.

The team visits the loan shark, a shady businessman named Benny, who denies involvement in the attack. However, the team finds evidence linking him to the crime. Finally, it is discovered that the victim had uncovered Benny's illegal activities and was planning to go to the authorities, which is why Benny had him attacked.

The episode ends with the team apprehending Benny and bringing him to justice. The victim, who had been in a coma, wakes up and is on the road to recovery, thanks to the efforts of the team.

Overall, the episode is a classic NCIS procedural with a satisfying conclusion. It showcases the team's ability to solve complex cases and their dedication to seeking justice for victims of crime. The inclusion of a homeless veteran and the shelter that helps them adds a poignant and timely subtext to the episode, which is a hallmark of the show's commitment to highlighting important social issues.