Donald Bellisario, executive producer of JAG, created this drama that combines the forensic techniques from CSI and the dogged detective work from Law & Order in stories featuring a military backdrop. NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service, charged with investigating all crimes involving Navy and Marine Corps personnel, regardless of rank or position) follows a special team operating outside of the military chain of command, headed up by Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), a skilled investigator and tough interrogator. His subordinates include street-smart former homicide detective Anthony Dinozzo (Michael Weatherly), offbeat forensic scientist Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette), and medical doctor Donald "Ducky" Mallard (David McCallum). During the 23-episode 2003-04 first season, another member—computer expert Tim McGee (Sean Murray)—is added to the team. And, of course, there's Secret Service agent Caitlin Todd (Sasha Alexander), who first appears in the suspenseful opener “Yankee White,” helping Gibbs and the others investigate the mysterious death of a Naval Commander aboard Air Force One. In another excellent episode, “Bete Noire,” a terrorist (Rudolf Martin) infiltrates the base and takes several hostages—including Ducky and Caitlin—and he returns in the superb season finale, “Reveille,” with a plot to assassinate the president. DVD extras include an audio commentary by Bellisario on the first episode and three behind-the-scenes featurettes. Recommended. (E. Hulse)
NCIS: The Complete First Season
Paramount, 6 discs, 1,009 min., not rated, DVD: $68.99 Volume 21, Issue 5
NCIS: The Complete First Season
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