It is obviously my kind of week at the NCIS franchise. First, the flagship features antiques, and then NCIS: NEW ORLEANS tackles pirates (and antiques). Yay, pirates! Pride (Scott Bakula) and I are fans!
A bit of backstory on the Big Easy and her pirate history. The dashing and debonair French pirate, Jean Lafitte and his brother, Pierre, sailed the Gulf of Mexico in the early 19th century, doing a little privateering, a bit of smuggling, frequent gambling and a lot of drinking and womanizing if one is to believe the tales. The United States acquired the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803, doubling the size of the nation in land that spanned from New Orleans through present-day Montana in the U.S. and parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada.
NOLA’s new owners frowned upon some of the more licentious pirate activities and the Lafitte brothers became “persons of interest.” But the Lafittes were as skilled at bargaining as they were at piracy. Striking a deal with General Andrew Jackson, the Lafittes and their crew received a pardon for helping defeat the British in the Battle of New Orleans, effectively ending the War of 1812.
So, it is no wonder that when Louisiana throws a pirate festival, it REALLY throws a pirate festival with cannons, and music and food and fireworks over Lake Charles. But someone is missing the celebration tonight on NCIS: NEW ORLEANS. Lt. Cmdr. Elaine Dodd, an oceanographer at nearby Stennis Space Center, is found murdered in a case involving a 200-year-old priceless fleur-de-lis. For those not familiar with the term, the fleur-de-lis is a stylized lily frequently used in French décor, and the name roughly translates to English as a “lily flower.”
When the French settled New Orleans, they brought their traditions, including the fleur-de-lis, which frequently is featured in artwork of the Catholic saints of France, particularly St. Joseph. The fleur-de-lis has had ties to many historical events…political, religious, heraldry and artwork…and tonight’s murder probably is not the first with ties to the lily. The lily’s “cousin,” the Giant Blue Iris is prevalent in the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, built on the pirate’s old stomping grounds.
Or, maybe someone figured out what a 200-year-old marble-and-gold artifact was worth, and Elaine Dodd got in the way. But that is not nearly as fascinating as pirates!
Guest stars on tonight’s episode, “Treasure Hunt,” are Kevin Jackson, Teal Wicks, Jeff Chase, Vanessa Cozart and Megan Wright. “Treasure Hunt” was written by Brooke Roberts and directed by Tony Wharmby.
NCIS: NEW ORLEANS airs tonight (March 13) at 10:00 p.m. Et/PT on CBS in the U.S. and at 7:00 p.m. Et/PT on Global TV in Canada.
