"NCIS" - Best Episode of Season 5

Note: This article was written by an Associated Content Contributor. To become a Contributor and start publishing your own articles, click here to sign up at Associated Content.

The CBS action drama "NCIS" has given us eight seasons of crime solving good times. The series mixes intellectual crime solving drama with light-hearted camaraderie and sexual tension. A team from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service solves cases surrounding military service members around the globe. The crimes are as varies as the characters themselves. Only two things remain the same each episode: Ducky will tell a long winded story over a corpse and Gibbs will smack somebody in the back of the head.

Cast of Characters

Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) A tough as nails former Marine gunnery sergeant who leads the team of agents. Gibbs never sees a reason to use words when a look will do. He lost the love of his life and daughter to a Mexican drug lord while in the Marine Corps. He has a penchant for red heads, a fact easily proven by his three divorces. He is a father figure for his team, a role he both readily accepts and cherishes - in his own gruff manner.

Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard (David McCallum) is a highly intellectual doctor who has traveled the world and loves to share his unique experiences with anyone who will listen. Dr. Mallard's age and wisdom on not lost on the team, who routinely seek his counsel on all matters in their lives.

Agent Anthony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) is a former homicide detective who is often has a tough time letting go of his college habits. He fancies himself a ladies man offers ample comic relief on the show. The sexual tension between Tony and fellow agent Ziva David fuels the sparks which often fly during their scenes together.

Agent Ziva David (Cote de Pablo) a former Israeli Mossad agent who was sent to NCIS in a liaison capacity. She is now estranged from her father, the Director of Mossad. She earned a soft spot in Gibb's heart when she kiled her half-brother Ari to save the special agent's life.

Scientist Abby Sciuto (Pauley Perrette) is an eclectic forensic scientist who runs the lab at NCIS has a dark gothic exterior but a sweet soul. She is like a daughter to Gibbs, who keeps her hands constantly filled with the high octane caffeine drinks she uses to stay alert - Caff-Pows!.

Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) has a degree from MIT and a computer whiz. Gibbs, who has yet to fully figure out how email works, relies on McGee to catch the bad guys using his technology skills. McGee is inatuated with Abby and once spend the night sleeping in her coffin shaped bed.

Assistnat Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) is a by the books administrator and plays the foil to Gibbs' John Wayne type persona. A begrudging mutual respect exists between the two NCIS alpha males.

Director Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly) is a woman in what was traditionally a man's job. As the first female director of NCIS, she has to prove her toughness on a daily basis. Although she is strong, she is also kind and tries very hard to deny the feeling she still fills for former love interest - Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Top Episode of Season 5 - Judgment Day

This two part episode was almost a tear-jerker. Ziva and Tony accompany Director Jenny Shepard to California for a funeral of a former agent. Before leaving for the trip, Dr. Mallard confirms that Jenny is suffering from a rare and degenerative illness. Gibbs, who had once a romantic relationship with Shepard, suspects there is something that she is not telling him. What at first glance appeared to be a death by suicide of retired agent William Decker is revealed to be a murder. While at the funeral, Jenny hears a man ask for Mr. Oshimaida. The name was a code used during an undercover operation in Europe which she and Gibbs were involved. The name Oshimaida meant the team's cover was blown. Realizing that the encounter wasn't by chance, and a from the grave sign from her former colleague, she ditches Tony and Ziva. Knowing she will have to gain help from someone she can trust to keep the matter off the books, she call retired agent Mike Franks. He was once Gibbs' team leader and mentor. He helped Agent Gibbs track down the man who murdered his wife and daughter. Any episode with Mike Franks is bound to offer some colorful quips and rugged adventure. Franks is as quick with his gun and he is with his tongue and agrees to help Jenny track down the leak in the old case to protect Gibbs' life.

Jenny and Mike Franks follow the clues left by a dead man to his restaurant in the desert. Knowing that they will have to fight the henchmen sent by a woman felt wronged during the long ago operation, they clean their guns and get ready for battle. Mike and Jenny discuss the feeling of affection which still exist between the director and Gibbs. The retired agent tries to convince Jenny to tell Gibbs that she is sick, after he uncovers her medication. All of the deep conversation made the pair thirsty and Mike exits to get to fill a pitcher with water from a hose outside. Before he gets back, the bad guys come into the dilapidated restaurant, guns blazing. Franks enters the gun battle but not in time to save Jenny Shepard. Tony and Ziva track down the director minutes after she shot multiple assailants and was mortally wounded. Tony has the dreaded task of answering Jenny's cell phone when Gibbs calls - only to be informed that his dear friend and former love interest is dead.