Earlier today, The Washington Post’s David Ignatius gave a heartfelt testimonial about the Navy. Ignatius described a recent personal experience that was both touching and inspirational. Normally, I don’t write first-person or opinion pieces, so thank you for indulging me. As I listened to Ignatius recount his story this morning, it reminded me why people watch NCIS and why the series maintains its popularity in its sixteenth year.
The characters on NCIS reflect dedication to mission and to each other. David Ignatius described the Navy as a “family,” and he should know. His father, Paul Ignatius, is a former Secretary of the Navy, a former Assistant Secretary of Defense and former president of The Washington Post who has many other achievements. (Personal note to friends/Trojan fans…the senior Ignatius is from Glendale and went to USC.) The former SecNav was honored by the Navy in 2013 when a destroyer, the USS Paul Ignatius, was christened by his wife, Nan. When Nan passed away last month, every crew member on the USS Paul Ignatius sent a letter of support to the Secretary.
What does this story have to do with tonight’s episode of NCIS, “Crossing the Line?” Well, for one, the episode is set on a destroyer and has some gorgeous footage of the ship as the NCIS team investigates a “man overboard” fatality. On board the destroyer, a crew member tells Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and Bishop (Emily Wickersham) that the decedent was a search-and-rescue diver, unlikely to have drowned without extenuating circumstances, buoying NCIS’s determination to find justice for the deceased diver.
Back at NCIS, Vance (Rocky Carroll) assigns Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) to mentor three teens. It is hard to say who will learn more during the process…the teens or Torres…as an unlikely bond forms.
Bonds…mentoring…support…values…family…just a few of the reasons why NCIS remains a success in its sixteenth season.
Guest stars on tonight’s NCIS are Sean Patrick Thomas, Sloane Morgan Siegel, Griffin Freeman, Ashley Liao, Cedric Begley, Teri Wyble, Steven Krueger, Chaunsi Heatley, Charles A. Remley III and Jennifer May. “Crossing the Line” was written by Jennifer Corbett and directed by Michael Zinberg.
NCIS airs tonight (February 26) at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS in the U.S. and on GlobalTV in Canada.
