Ep 4. Enemy on the Hill

NCIS season 9 episode 4, titled "Enemy on the Hill," begins with the murder of a Navy lieutenant who was on a hike with her husband on a trail in the Pacific Northwest. During their investigation, the team uncovers a plot to steal military secrets and sell them to the highest bidder.

The team first suspects the victim's husband, who is a former Navy SEAL with a questionable past. However, they soon realize that he is not involved in the theft of military secrets and is actually cooperating with them to catch the real culprits. Instead, the team focuses on a group of hikers who were also on the trail at the time of the murder.

As they interview the hikers, the team discovers that one of them is actually a disgraced former Marine who was dishonorably discharged for selling secrets during his time in the service. He is now working for a private military contractor and is using his position to steal classified information from the Navy. The team must race against the clock to catch the former Marine and stop the theft of military secrets before it's too late.

Meanwhile, Ziva is dealing with the aftermath of her father's death and continues to struggle with her grief. We see flashbacks of Ziva and her father interacting in happier times, adding depth to their relationship and Ziva's grief. She tries to distract herself by throwing herself into work but finds it difficult to focus on the case with her personal life in turmoil.

The episode also explores Tony's personal life as he deals with the aftermath of his breakup with his girlfriend. He is still trying to figure out his feelings for her and is struggling to move on. However, his unresolved feelings do not distract from his job, and he continues to work hard to solve the case.

The team eventually catches the former Marine and his accomplice and puts an end to their plans to steal military secrets. The episode ends with Ziva visiting her father's grave, still struggling with her grief but finding some comfort in knowing that he is at peace.

"Enemy on the Hill" is a thrilling episode that combines an intriguing case with emotional personal storylines for the characters. The team's investigation is full of twists and turns, keeping the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats. Meanwhile, Ziva and Tony's personal struggles add depth to the episode and show the human side of the characters. Overall, it is a well-balanced episode that delivers both exciting action and emotional depth.