NCIS - Semper Fortis - Review: "A cry for help"

On this week's NCIS, a Navy Hospital Corpsman provided illegal medical aid in a hit-and-run accident, and the team works to both clear her name and find the culprit of the accident. Also, Abby's dating behaviour with Burt is discussed.

The case starts with a hit-and-run accident in Fairfax that kills Navy Petty Officer Hicks and leaves his two passengers critically wounded. Fortunately, former Navy Hospital Corpsman Anna Dillon provides immediate medial care until the ambulance arrives. Sadly for her, she does not have a medical license so the help she provided was illegal. Add to this that the female victim might get paralyzed because Dillon supposedly moved her body, and Dillon is charged like a criminal. Besides all this, the team also has to find who ran the car off the road as they soon learn it was no accident. According to Dillon and the male passenger, the car was an SVU. Abby deduces that it is a special silver color and that there are only five of these car in Fairfax. One of them is Dave Lancellotti, and the team learns that he has motive to kill. However, his car appears to have been stolen and when the team finds it, Lancellotti is dead. Turns out Lancellotti's boss, Bennet Jemaine, was a Navy Petty Officer who was dishonorably discharged due to Hicks discovering drugs. Hence, Bennet ran Hicks' car off the road and killed him.

Of much more interest was watching Dillon's story unfold. At first, she was struggling because she feels responsible for Hicks dying. After Ducky explains that she could not have saved him and that she did everything she could, the next problem she faces is the law. Or rather, a flaw in the system as Gibbs calls it. Because it is absolutely ridiculous that a woman who saved two lives is facing jail time due to a technicality. Needless to say, Gibbs does everything in his power to help Dillon, even going so far to break rule 13 when he involves lawyer Carrie Clark. Due to Hicks' family and that of the two passengers standing by her, Carrie manages to only get Dillon community service.

Elsewhere, Abby's dating behaviour is taken under the loop by Tony and McGee. McGee tries to tell Abby to give Burt a chance, but she says it's her private affairs. Bishop has no idea what this is all about and calls a meeting to the men's room. McGee and Tony reveal that Abby has a list about what boyfriends have to do in a certain time, or else she breaks up with him in two months. Later, McGee tells Abby that he thinks Burt deserves an extension, and when he walks into the office with flowers, Abby seems to agree with him.

While this episode was not as strong as previous ones, it was still an enjoyable one. The case of the week was a bit meh and could have been left out to instead focus solely on Dillon's storyline. But I think Dillon's story was great nonetheless. Laura Seay showed some fine acting and Mark Harmon was also at the top of his game. And it's always a good thing when NCIS touches on real-life things and this was no exception. I honestly think this is quite a serious issue as it seems crazy that somebody with medical training can't legally save lives.

I'm also glad they solved the McGee/Abby thing and that McGee only did it because he cares about Abby and not because he's jealous or anything. Having all these love interests makes me miss Delilah though, when is she coming back? I'm hoping we will see her soon!

What did you think of this episode? Does it shock you that this flaw in the law is a real-life issue? On a scale of 1 to 10, how ridiculous is it? Lastly, how do you feel about Abby and Burt? Sound off with your opinions in the comments below.

Here is a promo for next week's Thanksgiving episode, in which we are finally going to meet Bishop's husband Jake:

About the Author - Daniel

Daniel is a Dutch university student studying Psychology. On SpoilerTV he is a reviewer of NCIS, The 100, Stalker, Madam Secretary and the upcoming shows Battle Creek and Odyssey. He also enjoys LOST, Arrow, NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, Nikita, The Blacklist, Scorpion and How To Get Away With Murder.

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