Tonight’s episode was a fun romp through an undercover assignment. David was amused by the fact that Tim and Ellie were forced to pose as husband and wife. This happened because both Gibbs and Tony had already met and questioned the suspect, Lt. Dean Hudson (played by Bart Johnson who appeared on JAG) who may have killed a marine at Quantico. The dead marine had just called Gibbs asking to meet. Unfortunately, Tim and Ellie are involved in a real-life conflict before taking up their undercover roles. Tim causes Ellie angst as he picks up a phone call from her husband Jake. During their conversation, Tim manages to spoil her surprise trip to the Virgin Islands for their anniversary. So Tim and Ellie are posing as a couple sharing a home and bringing with them a “marital” dispute.

The undercover assignment proves challenging for Agents McGee and Bishop in some ways. Tim eventually elicits from her what’s really going on with Jake. Apparently things are not the “same” with him. Will this have an impact on future episodes? Why do we even mention these personal issues? Real special agents working undercover face similar issues. It’s not always easy to put these aside during tense times away from home. The writers reveal this struggle of agents when Jake phones Ellie in the undercover home and she takes his call.

Some viewers might wonder if it’s legal for NCIS to place listening devices in the suspects home and then photograph the suspects from the undercover home used by Tim and Ellie, across the street. In reality, when sufficient evidence is developed, one of the agents goes before a judge (no doubt with the assistance of a JAG lawyer) to issue a warrant authorizing the ‘bugging’.

As viewers know by now, the NCIS show truncates the process, which normally would take days and sometimes weeks to have enough evidence to obtain warrants. That being said, Tim and Ellie are watching and listening. A strange conversation happens between “Mr. and Mrs. Hudson.”

One flaw in the scene is when neither McGee nor Bishop follow-up on what they learn, such as notifying Gibbs. They split up different tasks, which leads to a dramatic solving of a second murder. Abbey, Ducky, Gibbs, and Tony all work together as a team used to winning as they sort through the evidence and uncover a few surprising twists.

What did you all think of Tony’s admission to Gibbs that he has few family members that he cares about other than Anthony DiNozzo Sr.? So he is going to England to search for his ancestors. It was a deeper moment between them, and it comes back full circle when Tony discovers his DNA testing is not all it’s cracked up to be. His family member is not only famous, but a notorious criminal. Ouch! Too bad for Tony.

Ellie should not have gone to the suspect’s home alone with no backup and no cell phone. This unbelievable turn of events is nearly fatal for her. She is able to fight her way out of trouble (so much like Ziva did many times). Do you think she is edging closer to the agent she should be?

Next week, Mark Harmon and Rocky Carroll will team up in “Double Trouble.” Should be fun to see these two great actors handle the bad guys. There are still way too many out there!

Be Blessed, Diane and David Munson