NCIS devotees, it’s once again that wonderful time of the year!
Holidays and intense investigations are possibly the best combination ever. Imagine being wrapped in a blanket, sipping hot chocolate while Gibbs and co. investigate crimes that happened during Christmas.
The mix of suspenseful storytelling and characters' inner thoughts in these NCIS Christmas episodes makes the season perfect for re-watching.
The question is, which episodes can be labeled Christmas specials? Though the series has a huge number of episodes, only a few have the holiday as the backdrop. So here is a list of 5 such episodes that you should re-watch in anticipation of the holidays.
Have a look at these top 5 NCIS Christmas episodes to re-watch as the Holidays approach
1. Silent Night (Season 6, Episode 11)
Silent Night, which aired on December 16, 2008, is a Christmas episode that never gets old.
The logline for the episode reads as follows:
"While stuck working on a case over Christmas, the team searches for a suspect presumed dead...and begins to discover some startling personal revelations."
The story revolves around the team as they investigate a double murder during Christmas. The dead were Navy Petty Officers who were believed to have been killed years ago, so Gibbs and his crew have to uncover what really happened amidst the Christmas decorations and lights.
Apart from the case, the episode also delves into the very emotional themes of loyalty, contemplation, and collaboration, which form the soul of the NCIS narrative.
The element that makes Silent Night especially memorable is its tension interspersed with holiday vibes. While the gang is risking it all to get to the villain, the audience is also treated to the little private moments and the agents’ companionship.
2. Faith (Season 7, Episode 10)
The episode was released on December 15, 2009, and presented the NCIS team working on the First Lieutenant’s murder case during Christmas.
The logline for the episode reads as follows:
"Gibbs' father visits for the holidays."
The victim, who had recently converted to Islam, is now the center of the investigation and the team has to handle the case while also dealing with the emotional difficulties that come with the season.
One of the biggest reasons for this episode to stand out is that it deals with personal values, faith, and inter-team relations. The tension in Faith is compensated for by the subtle holiday atmosphere. The probe is intertwined with inner conflicts and emotional reflections, like Gibbs pondering over the festival and the period’s themes of family and trust.
The mixture of procedural drama and holiday warmth makes this episode a Christmas classic.
3. Newborn King (Season 9, Episode 11)
The plot of Newborn King, which aired on December 13, 2011, is set against the backdrop of Christmas Eve and a murder case involving Lieutenant Emma Reynolds, a pregnant Marine.
The logline for the episode reads as follows:
"When a Navy captain is killed in a hotel room, NCIS must track down and protect his very pregnant companion from unknown assailants."
The NCIS team is in a high-pressure situation trying to find the perpetrator and it's even more difficult due to the holiday season and limited resources. The episode explores themes of protection, hope and compassion, while it retains the suspenseful investigatory vein that the series is acclaimed for.
Newborn King remains a classic since it reveals the characters in both their professional and personal fronts. Gibbs, McGee and the other agents work hard in solving the case and protecting the non-involved ones. The holiday season affects the stakes, thus giving birth to the memorable Christmas episode that skillfully weaves procedural tension and beautiful moments.
4. You Better Watch Out (Season 10, Episode 10)
A Christmas murder turned into an NCIS episode that first aired on December 18, 2012. The investigation of Gibbs and the team combines holiday tensions and suspense from different angles by taking them to a case that overlaps with the celebrations.
The logline for the episode reads as follows:
"It's Christmas time and Tony DiNozzo can't decide if he'll be naughty or nice when his dad, Anthony DiNozzo, Sr. (Robert Wagner), comes to town for a visit."
This episode gives viewers a sneak peek of the NCIS crew's operations during and around the holidays. The crime takes center stage, but the warmth and interpersonal moments that characterize the NCIS Christmas episodes are subtly brought to the fore.
5. False Witness (Season 8, Episode 10)
False Witness, which aired on December 14, 2010, catches up with the NCIS team who are already involved in the case during Christmas, where the personal and professional interests overlap. The episode portrays themes of loyalty, trust and ethical choices, but it is done in the familiar way of thrill typical of NCIS.
The logline for the episode reads as follows:
"Gibbs and the NCIS team partner with a Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) Agent to solve the murder of a Marine gunned down on a dinner boat."
False Witness is certainly a solid choice for the NCIS Christmas binge watching list.
Silent Night, Faith, Newborn King, You Better Watch Out and False Witness are the NCIS Christmas episodes that viewers must rewatch as the festive season nears. They bring together the show’s characteristic tension and procedural intrigue with moments of introspection, loyalty and holiday cheer.
Besides, these episodes, along with all the criminals and crime and with the turning of the seasons, remind us of family, protection and hope. For NCIS lovers, the re-watching of these episodes is a holiday activity that exceeds all. It is a way of getting both the suspense and the seasonal sentiment in one immersive package.
Thus, have your cocoa prepared, get your pillow-soft blanket and let the show add a perfect blend of drama and festive wonder to your holiday season. Regardless of it being your first viewing or a beloved re-viewing, these episodes offer the unmatched mixture of curiosity and Christmas cheer.
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