Following the excitement of its 500th episode celebration, NCIS delivered a quieter entry with Season 23 Episode 15 — an installment shaped by puzzle clues reminiscent of The Da Vinci Code. The investigation into protected dinosaur bones and hidden family secrets gave the case a layered mystery structure, though the execution didn’t fully match its ambition.
One highlight was the deeper look at Knight’s personality. Her enthusiasm for films like Indiana Jones and small details about her childhood interests helped humanize her role within the team.
However, the episode leaned on a classic NCIS storytelling pattern that longtime viewers recognized quickly. With the culprit tied closely to the victim, the mystery lacked suspense. Even so, the episode delivered a meaningful reminder about restoring stolen wartime artifacts to their rightful owners — a thoughtful theme that added emotional depth despite the otherwise familiar structure.