NCIS - So It Goes - Review: "Ducky's skeletons in the cupboard (or closet)"

On this week's NCIS we learned quite a lot about our favourite medical examiner. While working on a case, Ducky flashed back to his The Man from U.N.C.L.E. days young days, revealing a few secrets he has kept over the years.

As usual, it all starts at a crime scene. NCIS is called to the scene where a car was blown to pieces and the driver sadly did not survive. The body is ID'ed as an Angus Clarke, to which Ducky replies that he knew an Angus Clarke back in the days. Ducky eventually comes to the conclusion is in fact Angus, whom Ducky was best friends with. Digging further into the case, it appears that Angus had knowledge of some Navy hit list. All but one of the targets are dead. However, when Ducky has another look at Angus' body, he notices that the body has all his teeth. Ducky deduces that the body is not Angus, because Angus had two teeth replace by implants. Ducky knows this, because... he knocked the teeth out!

In flashbacks, we learn that Ducky, Angus and a woman named Maggie were friends, and called themselves the three musketeers. As Ducky followed the American dream and was about to leave England, Angus threw him a surprise go-away party. Even though he hates them, the young doctor is having quite some fun. That is until he suggests Maggie to come with him to America and confesses his love to her. When the two kiss, an enraged Angus reveals that he and Maggie are a couple now so poor Ducky doesn't stand a chance. Ducky angrily hits Angus, knocking his teeth out, and leaves both Angus and Maggie behind before leaving for America. Angus and Maggie eventually marry.

As Ducky and Bishop leave for England, the team figures out that the marines on the hit list have all been replaced by Albanians. All of them listed the same Albanian as an emergency contact. That Albanian, who is part of the mafia, is now living in England. Just when Ducky tells Maggie that Angus' real body was found, the mafia guy comes in and threatens to kill them. However, Ducky stabs back and kills him. It turns out the Albanians were part of a smuggling operation, and the team in the States also arrests Peter Velo.

In the final scene, Maggie asks Ducky why he never married. Ducky says that a colleague and a good friend of his lost his one and only love and then repeatedly married another woman to try to replace her. This obviously refers to Gibbs, and Ducky tells Maggie he didn't want to make that same mistake. Maggie admits that it was a mistake to marry Angus, and that she really loved Ducky. As the two stand side by side, the episode ends.

This was absolutely a terrific and beautiful episode! Adam Campebell was perfectly cast as Illya Kuryakin young Ducky that I could hardly tell the difference. David McCallum was outstanding in all his scenes, showing Ducky's various emotions. Can you believe that man is 81? His acting is still excellent! It was great to learn so much about Ducky, even though his story is a sad one. Alice Krige was also great as Maggie, and she is more than welcome to return in the near future.

Side notes:
-"You're a medical doctor, not Doctor Who!" Lol
-So the overprotective brother and non-jealous McGee doesn't want Abby to date the park ranger? Right.
-Jimmy, what are you doing? Sometimes you're so weird.
-Yay for the Kate, Jenny and Mike Franks reference!
-Peter Velo smiling and then running away was such a funny moment. And then McGee came out and he was arrested.
-Did anyone else notice that the opening credits for this episode were different from the ones from the previous episodes? Just look at this (enlarge by clicking on the pictures):

It seems the pictures in the blocks are different every time. The first four appear to be from the episode itself (so episode 1 has four pictures of that episode etc.) and that the fifth picture is the same one with Gibbs. To be honest, I actually like it! (Thanks to Team-NCIS.com for the info and the first two pictures)

What did you think of this episode? Were you surprised at what we learned about Ducky? How do you feel about his would-be wife Maggie? And are you hoping she will return sometime? Tell us your opinions in the comments below.

Check out the trailer for the next episode:

About the Author - Daniel

Daniel is a Dutch university student studying Psychology. On SpoilerTV he is a reviewer of NCIS, The 100 and the upcoming shows Madam Secretary, Battle Creek and Odyssey. He also enjoys Arrow, NCIS: LA, Nikita and The Blacklist. Recently gotten into LOST which he really loves. He is excited for the new shows Stalker, Scorpion, NCIS: New Orleans and a bunch of others.

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