NCIS Season 23 Episode 15 leaned heavily into mystery-adventure territory, drawing clear inspiration from The Da Vinci Code and even a touch of Indiana Jones. The case centered on a victim who left behind clues connected to rare dinosaur bones and a hidden family history tied to World War II artifacts, giving the hour a puzzle-driven structure that felt different in tone from recent episodes.
The pop culture references also helped spotlight Jessica Knight in a refreshing way. Her love of movies and glimpses into her past added welcome personality to a character who sometimes remains underexplored.
Still, the episode ultimately returned to a familiar NCIS formula. With the killer revealed to be someone close to the victim, the twist felt predictable rather than surprising. While the emotional message about returning stolen historical items to rightful families carried weight, the storyline itself struggled to stand out following the show’s milestone 500th episode.