NCIS season 23 episode 5 wrapped the exciting crossover event with NCIS: Origins, and now the shows are turning the page. The new NCIS episode goes back to a character-driven narrative, in more ways than one.
Caution: This post contains SPOILERS from NCIS season 23 episode 6
Fans noticed how previous episodes hinted at a revival of McGee's writer persona, Thom E. Gemcity, and NCIS season 23 episode 6 makes it clear why. The whole episode — and the increasingly dangerous situation McGee finds himself in — revolves around his books. And when he can't rely on his real-world team, he needs to talk things through with his fictional one.
NCIS season 23 episode 6 shows McGee's characters in action
Ever since McGee wrote his first book and it became a hit, the audience has been wondering what the inside of one looks like. His first novel, Deep Six, appeared on the show in season 10 episode 19, "Twisted Sister". Since then, fans learned how poorly he disguises people's real names — like Tibbs for Gibbs — but never actually heard anything from his books. Until now.
The episode's opening even has fans confused — a strangely youthful Vance and a hippie-version Jimmy immediately signal that something is off. It's not until Jimmy introduces himself as Pimmy Jalmer that the illusion clicks into place: this is part of McGee's latest book, complete with a reference to "Agent Rick Soares" and Kasie as KC-3000, a robotically efficient analyst.
Reality and fiction blend when McGee finds himself alone in a woman's attic, chained to the floor. Maybe it's his concussion or just the need to think aloud, but he starts talking to his characters. Special Agent Rick Soares appears first, a voice of reason in glasses and a cardigan, urging McGee to build trust with his kidnapper. Agent Knightshade is the polar opposite: the image of a femme fatale assassin, all in for killing the woman, no questions asked.
When McGee hits a dead end, Professor Parkman comes to the rescue. He reminds fans of Dr. Ducky Mallard, and not just because of the clothes. Parkman is old-school and an encyclopedia of historical facts. But he has something of Parker in him, too, when he helps McGee piece the clues together.
These characters are simply different facets of McGee’s reasoning, and the episode uses them cleverly. When McGee uncovers that the woman holding him captive is searching for her missing son, Matthew Sheldon, he sides with the compassionate Soares. When stalled, Parkman pushes him to recap the clues. And just as in the real world, KC-3000 ultimately provides the key to unlocking the encrypted files.
McGee's writing gets him in trouble and then out of it in NCIS season 23 episode 6
What kicks off McGee’s ordeal isn’t the case itself, but the world he’s built as an author. At a book signing, he meets his number one fan, who proceeds to follow him everywhere he goes. When he gets kidnapped, everyone, including McGee himself, thinks she's the one who did it.
But the truth is more complicated, and McGee soon realizes he’s been pulled into a situation that has less to do with malice and more with the impact his stories have had on others. His captor is a former Navy intelligence officer — a grieving mother living in an alternate reality of her own. She's convinced her son, Matthew Sheldon, is missing, not dead.
McGee discovers that Matthew was killed in a plane crash due to a fatal flaw that the company he worked for tried to cover up. And Ruby, the "woman" his mother thinks was trying to snatch him away, was actually the name of his plane. Matthew’s mother knew this on some level, but trauma pushed her into believing he was still alive.
Just as McGee prepares to tell her the truth, they are both attacked by the real bad guy, Daniels. McGee, after having a chat with his fictional self, McGregor, frees himself and fights the man off. The real NCIS team reaches them just in time, guided by an unexpectedly helpful source: McGee’s persistent superfan, who manages to trace the kidnapper’s credit card location from her fan website.
After an eventful day that seemed taken straight out of one of his novels, McGee realised that what critics say about his work doesn't matter. He writes for readers like Matthew — people inspired by his stories.
Episode 6 ends with Jimmy suggesting foul play in Parker's mother's death certificate. NCIS is closer to revealing that mystery, so don't miss episode 7, coming to CBS on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
NCIS airs on Tuesdays at 8/7c on CBS.
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