Ep 13. Dog Tags

Tony and Gibbs go to a crime scene, where a case of arson has been committed. Whilst investigating the scene, they discover something more, a dead body of a Navy petty officer found in the apartment building where the arson took place. The victim was also wearing dog tags of a marine sergeant who has been missing for eight years. The team collects evidence and sets out to investigate the case.

Gibbs assigns Ziva and Tim to work on the case of the marine sergeant who has been missing for eight years. Ziva, who recently lost her father back in Israel, seemed to find it a little too much that the marine sergeant has been missing for eight years without a trace. As the team starts to investigate, they start to learn more about the Marine sergeant and what happened to him after he went missing. Ziva is somewhat on edge and seems to be taking the case very personally.

Meanwhile, Abby gets a visit from a young girl who has an interest in science. Abby gets excited to have someone show interest in her work and agrees to share her knowledge. The two end up forging a lovely friendship that extends beyond science. Abby gains a motherly figure and the girl gains a friend. Gibbs stumbles onto this friendship and is amused by the duo. He surprised Abby and brought her to tears when he told her that she would have made an excellent mom.

During the investigation, we meet a homeless veteran who has also lost his dog tags. He mentions to Gibbs that when a serviceman loses their dog tags, they lose a part of themselves. He tells Gibbs that dog tags contain their name, religion, and blood type, the essence of who they are. A veteran named Stu offers to help the team find the marine sergeant and provides information on a bar where the sergeant used to hang out. Gibbs and Tony head to the bar, and after some digging, they uncover more information about the missing marine sergeant.

As the team pieces together the case, they find themselves getting closer to the truth. The team also uncovers evidence that points to foul play in the case of the dead Navy petty officer. The team must work together to solve both cases and bring those responsible to justice.

The episode reaches its climax in a tense and dramatic scene where the team is in pursuit of the culprit. The chase ends in a shootout where Gibbs is caught in the crossfire. The team works together to apprehend the suspect and bring him in to face justice. The episode ends with Abby and her new friend finishing up a science experiment, and Abby giving her friend the dog tags she had lost.

Overall, the episode is a great mix of drama, action, and heartwarming moments. The characters are well-developed, and the cases are intriguing. The episode showcases the importance of the dog tags and how they are an essential piece of the military identity. The episode also explores themes of loss and grief, making it an emotional and impactful watch. This episode of NCIS is a must-watch for any fan of the show.