NCIS Season 14 (2016)
The 14th Season of NCIS aired between September 20th 2016 and May 16th 2017, and contains the biggest shake up so far after the departure of Michael Weatherly as Tony DiNozzo at the end of Season 13. It introduces two new agents to the core team, Nick Torres and Alex Quinn, and Duane Henry steps into a main role this season as his character Clayton Reeves becomes the international liaison working alongside Gibbs crew. We also lose producer and show runner Gary Glasberg during this season, who has had such a massive impact on NCIS since he joined in 2009.
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The first episode opens in Buenos Aires, as we meet Nick Torres who is undercover investigating a criminal businessman. Back home, his sister is targeted by a bomb threat which kills her spouse instead. Nick’s cover is blown when his sister comes to find him in Argentina, and he convinces Gibbs to let him help with the case for the safety of his family. Meanwhile, NCIS training and recruitment agent Alex Quinn is shadowing the team to find what values Gibbs looks for, after many failed attempts to fill the space Tony has left behind. Once the case is wrapped, both Torres and Quinn end up replacing this void.
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I feel this is one of the strongest seasons in a while, with many great episodes. One of my favourites is ‘Keep Going’, as Jimmy throws himself into the world of NCIS agents after taking a leap of faith and climbing on to a ledge to convince a suicidal teenager not to discard his life. It’s really beautiful and I love that Gibbs gives Palmer a hug at the end, something he doesn’t hand out often to the men in his life. ‘M.I.A’ is very touching too, as the team are tasked with investigating the circumstances of a Marine’s death, the dying wish of a Navy captain with cancer who believes it wasn’t an accident.
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I also loved ‘Pandora’s Box’, as we see Abby recruited to test the bomb response of a music venue, only for the experiment to be tampered with so it becomes a real threat. It’s a two-parter, with the other half crossing over into NCIS: New Orleans. Another fun episode is ‘What Lies Above’, as the horrors of Tony’s cheap apartment come back to haunt it’s current occupant McGee, criminals convinced treasure is hidden within its walls - though they never could have believed what they’d find under the floorboards.
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Season 14 revisits some familiar faces, as we catch up with DiNozzo Sr who has joined the ‘Sherlocks’ after missing the company of his son. We also get a glimpse of Ducky’s mother when she was younger, as a case brings back memories of a cursed engagement Donald broke up after learning his Mom was marrying a conman.
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The series closes on a cliffhanger, but unlike prior seasons this isn’t a multiple episode arc. The final episode stands on its own, as a case leads the team to Paraguay where a Marine is putting his life on the line to rescue the son of a local who’s been kidnapped by rebels. It ends with an extraction helicopter whisking the kids and Torres away, as Gibbs and McGee face off against their assailants.
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The special features include cast commentaries and the first ever filmed table read, an important part of the production process as the creative team get a glimpse of how the script flows. There’s also a behind-the-scenes look at this seasons crossover episode, and Brian Dietzen takes us for a tour around the NCIS lot. We’re also given an overview of Season 14 and an introduction to the new cast members, and there’s also a tribute to Gary.
