After the momentum of its landmark 500th episode, NCIS shifted gears with a mystery inspired by The Da Vinci Code in Season 23 Episode 15. The storyline followed a trail of clues left behind by a victim trying to protect valuable dinosaur fossils connected to a complicated family history dating back to World War II.
The episode also gave Knight a chance to shine. References to her childhood and her enthusiasm for adventure films helped reveal new sides of her personality, offering viewers a stronger connection to her character.
Still, the investigation unfolded along a familiar path. With the suspect revealed to be someone close to the victim, the outcome felt easy to predict. While the episode delivered a meaningful reflection on returning stolen wartime artifacts, it ultimately served as a reminder that even long-running procedurals sometimes rely on their most trusted storytelling formulas.