Ep 11. Newborn King

After a holiday break, NCIS season 9, episode 11 titled "Newborn King" opens with Special Agent Tony DiNozzo (played by Michael Weatherly) returning to the squad room after a five-month assignment with the S.E.A.L.s in Somalia. He meets some new faces, including Ellie Bishop (played by Emily Wickersham), a junior agent on temporary assignment from the NSA who is eager to prove herself. Meanwhile, Gibbs (played by Mark Harmon) and the rest of the team investigate the murder of a Navy doctor found dead at a charity event dressed as a Santa Claus. Evidence leads them to suspect a group of military contractors running a shady operation right under the Navy's nose.

As the investigation progresses, the team realizes that the military contractors may be involved in something much more sinister than they first thought, and that the doctor's murder may be just the tip of the iceberg. In typical NCIS fashion, the investigation takes the team all over the place, from military bases to hospitals to high-end nightclubs. As always, the team has to use all their wits and expertise to stay one step ahead of the suspects and figure out what's really going on.

The episode also sees some interpersonal drama between the team members. DiNozzo is clearly dealing with some PTSD after his time in Somalia, and he has trouble fitting back in with the team. Meanwhile, Ziva (played by Cote de Pablo) is dealing with some personal issues of her own and is noticeably distant from the rest of the group. These subplots add some depth and complexity to the episode without detracting from the suspense and action of the main storyline.

Overall, NCIS season 9, episode 11 is a solid entry in the series that will satisfy fans of the show. It's got all the elements that make NCIS great, from the fast-paced investigations to the witty banter between the team members. At the same time, it offers some new twists and turns that will keep viewers guessing until the very end.