Directed by Diana Valentine
Written by Scott J Jarrett, Matthew R Jarrett, & Scott Williams
A petty officer is found seemingly mauled by a bear in the woods. Palmer's father-in-law, Ed, turns out to be connected to how the sailor really died and asks him to cover up his involvement, putting Palmer in a difficult position as work and family collide. Meanwhile, DiNozzo Sr. offers his help with NCIS for the current case and Ducky debates his position on the team, and decides it's time for him to retire.
Tropes in this episode include:
- Abusive Parents: While he doesn't go into details about it, Palmer reveals to Ed that his dad was not a good man at all. Palmer only gave up hating his father after Victoria was born because he wanted to become a much better parent than his own ever was.
- The Bus Came Back:
- Ed, Jimmy's father-in-law, returns for the first time since Season 9's "Newborn King".
- DiNozzo Sr. is also involved in the underground poker game.
- Easily Forgiven: When Jimmy confesses everything, nobody blames him for his actions as they would have done the same thing if one of their family members was involved in something bad.
- Passing the Torch: With Ducky retiring, that means Palmer is fully taking on the role of Chief Medical Examiner.
- Parental Substitute: Palmer saying that he has two father figures at NCIS that make up for his own abusive father, clearly referring to both Ducky and Gibbs.
- Wham Episode: Ducky decides it's time for him to retire from NCIS and fully hand over his position of Chief Medical Examiner to Jimmy, and announces his intentions to Gibbs at the end of the episode.
