Season 22, Episode 3 of NCIS, titled 'The Trouble with Hal,' starts with a very suspenseful Halloween case that immediately captures the audience's attention. The narrative of this episode centers on Navy Lieutenant Bryce Prescott, who comes home on Halloween to find other people occupying it, thereby creating the situation for a mystery that the NCIS team has to solve.The plot is filled with the mysterious "Hal," whose true identity is disclosed as Felix Pitts as the plot unfolds, at the same time as the team navigates through controversies over real estate, familial issues, and the night's surprises and twists. Moreover, this episode not only features the procedural investigation but also presents significant character moments among the NCIS cast. In taking care of the case, the agents blend their professional duties with personal subplots, such as the relationship between Knight and Palmer and the talk about Ducky's old office, including the agents' professional responsibilities.All these character dynamics combine to provide the audience with not only an investigative thrill but also a glimpse into the team’s ongoing storylines in NCIS Season 22.Main cast in NCIS Season 22 Episode 3The main NCIS team was essential in solving the mystery of Episode 3:Timothy “Tim” McGee (Sean Murray): Senior Special Agent who is the lead investigator assigned to the case with the team.Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama): Special Agent who assists in the field and takes part in the team's conversation regarding Ducky’s office.Jessica Knight (Katrina Law): Special Agent who is working on the case and has a romantic involvement with Jimmy Palmer.Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen): As a medical Examiner, he is a case witness, and at the same time, he has to deal with his personal stories.Kasie Hines (Diona Reasonover): As a forensic Scientist, she is the one who analyzes the evidence, and at the same time, gets emotionally attached to Ducky’s office.Alden Parker (Gary Cole): Supervisory Special Agent who is the head of the investigation unit.Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll): NCIS Director who is in charge of the team’s actions.The regular cast members build the core of the investigative team; they keep the procedural aspects of the episode in line and, at the same time, animate the development of the subplots.Guest stars and key charactersA variety of guest stars are featured in the episode, who play vital parts in the storyline:Wanda Prescott (Donna Mills): Related to the Prescott estate and taking part in the dispute over the house.Lieutenant Bryce Prescott (Justin Bruening): The naval officer returning home for Halloween whose arrival triggers the main crime investigation of the episode.Leonard (Dominic Burgess): A person who is related to the Prescott family and the place where the dispute is.Mary Evans (Chrissie Fit): Whose connection to “Hal” makes the investigation more complicated.Phil (Christopher M. Dukes): A minor character whose role links up with the major mystery.Ray (Ck Bolado): A guest character who is another one involved in the events that are unfolding.Big Bark (Paul Zies): Linked with the Hal/Felix Pitts subplot.Thus, these guest stars are the very foundation upon which the episode’s plot lies, and they also add layers to the central case of NCIS Season 22 Episode 3.Episode plot overviewIn the third episode of NCIS Season 22, the case unfolds when Bryce Prescott finds out that his home has been invaded by strangers on the eve of Halloween. The intruder, first named “Hal,” is eventually unmasked as Felix Pitts, who is living incognito.The NCIS crew tries to straighten out the mix-up regarding the ownership of the property and the different factions that are involved.Among the key subplots are:Ducky’s office: Torres proposes to turn Ducky’s old office into something useful, while Kasie tells her that she has a strong emotional attachment to the room.Knight and Palmer: the investigation keeps on moving, and so does their professional and personal interaction.The episode is a mix of a procedural investigation and character development, and the NCIS team is portrayed as able to deal with such cases and maintain their relationships.Behind the scenesThis episode was directed by Michael Zinberg, who managed to intertwine the thrilling plot points with the characters’ interactions. Scott Williams is the one who wrote Episode 3 of NCIS Season 22, thus becoming a part of the show’s constantly shifting creative team.Air date: October 28, 2024The episode was designed to merge the Halloween-motivated case with the characters' ongoing subplots, thus providing the audience with both excitement and continuity in NCIS Season 22.Character interactions and dynamicsMcGee and Torres: Conduct field investigations and take charge of the major interviews.Knight and Palmer: Their romantic partnership deepens while they are assisting the investigation.Parker and Vance: They are in the investigation and making sure that everything runs smoothly.Kasie: She is bringing not only forensic support but also an emotional viewpoint regarding Ducky’s legacy.Guest characters like Wanda Prescott and Bryce Prescott add layers of conflict from the outside, which challenge the team and also help in moving the plot forward.Viewer receptionFans and critics were divided over the suspenseful and character-driven moments of the show. The two key storylines, that of “Hal”/Felix Pitts and the property debate, were easily recognizable, while the small plots like Ducky’s office argument and Knight/Palmer’s relationship added a nice touch without taking the attention from the main focus of the investigation.The Halloween setting also made the episode’s plot more thrilling.NCIS Season 22, Episode 3, 'The Trouble with Hal' is a successful blend of a Halloween-themed investigative case and character-driven side stories. The main cast: McGee, Torres, Knight, Palmer, Kasie, Parker, and Vance, are accompanied by guest stars Donna Mills and Justin Bruening as they try to figure out “Hal.”The side stories about Ducky’s office and Knight/Palmer’s relationship add more interest. Each character, whether regular or guest, creates an engaging story full of suspense, making this episode a significant one in NCIS Season 22.