Heartland is the fourth episode in NCIS Season 6 and the 117th episode of the entire NCIS series.
Synopsis
Two Marines are ambushed and subsequently attacked in an alleyway while outside a nightclub. One dies from injuries while the other survives but is left with severe injuries, prompting the NCIS team to be called to the scene. The team's investigation soon leads them to Stillwater, PA, where one of the Marines originally hailed from and which also happens to be Gibbs's hometown. Gibbs, McGee and Ziva head for Stillwater with Gibbs forced to confront his past as well as some people, one of whom happens to be related to him.
Prologue
In the alleyway of a bar, a bouncer is busy dragging two people despite one protesting. The bouncer simply shoves both men down the steps, telling them to get outta here before he turns back, telling another man that it's time to go. He then pushes Marine Sergeant Seth Welch down the steps with Welch protesting that that's no way to treat a Marine. Marine Corporal Ethan LaCombe tells the Sergeant to ease up and that they should go home. Welch then realizes that he left his credit card at the bar and attempts to gain access to the bar, only for the bouncer to slam the door shut. "Come on", LaCombe states. Welch begins pounding at the door but it's no good. LaCombe suggests that the Sarge get it tomorrow but Welch refuses, telling LaCombe that there's no tomorrow and that he's going around front. As Welch heads off, Corporal Kelvin Taylor remarks to LaCombe that the sergeant is a little drunk. The two laugh about it with Lacombe helping Taylor lean against a bin as LaCombe tells Taylor that he's alright. Both laugh again.
Seconds later, two mysterious men arrive and LaCombe sees them coming but he can't do anything as the two descend on LaCombe and Taylor, giving both men a vicious beating. The two attackers then dump LaCombe into some trash bags and begin beating Taylor rather brutally and mercilessly before fleeing seconds later. As the two men leave, Welch comes out with his credit card and as he slips it back into his wallet, he tells Corporal Taylor to stand to attention. Taylor simply stands there, unable to move. Welch calls out Taylor's first name: Kevlin and as he stands in front of Taylor, puzzled, Taylor then collapses into Welch's arms before Welch looks behind him, spotting the blood on the wall. Welch then places Taylor gently on the ground before hearing a groan. As Welch rushes over, he throws the trash bags aside and holds LaCombe in his arms, LaCombe alive but barely, with Welch telling LaCombe or Ethan to hang on. It then cuts to a shot of the alleyway showing Welch cradling LaCombe while yelling for help as Taylor's lifeless body lies on the ground.
Act One
The alleyway behind the bar has become a crime scene and as photos are taken, NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee remarks that none of the bar staff heard anything because they like the music really loud.
"Discourages talking", fellow NCIS Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo Junior remarks. "Encourages drinking and other mouth-related activities".
McGee remarks that the camera's been disabled and that the dumpster's been moved.
"Yeah, hiding place", DiNozzo snaps. "I already thought about it".
Act Two
Gibbs after introducing McGee and Ziva to Jackson Gibbs, his father.
Act Three
"Word travels fast." Gibbs remarks to the old man,
The old man remarks on how it travels when people talk. He notes Gibbs doesn't call or write and ask if he was going to visit. Gibbs sarcastically greets the man and the man does the same while calling Gibbs by his first name.
Gibbs states "Ziva, McGee. Jackson Gibbs" while formally introducing the man as his father, to their surprise.
After they leave, Ziva and McGee decide to inform Abby and Tony.
In her lab, Abby and Tony are conducting the investigation before they are contacted by their friends.
The two waste no time telling them "Gibbs has a father!" to the shock of Abby and Tony who want to hear everything.
Act Four
Act Five
Abby tells Jackson that the owner of the sample is related to LaCombe, specifically being father and son. "Guess you were right about peopled hiding things", Jackson remarks to his son.
Major Events
- Gibbs's father, Jackson Gibbs, is introduced for the first time.
- Gibbs gets a new car.
Trivia
- The song that is played during the last few minutes of the episode in the background is Michael Bublé’s “Lost".
- Gibbs makes reference to the fact that when he joined the Marines, the country was celebrating the bicentennial in 1975/1976. Of Gibbs joined when he was 18 years old, it's likely that Gibbs was born in 1957/1958. However, in House Divided his ID showed his birthdate was November 21, 1954, and in NCIS: Origins premiere Enter Sandman, which set up in October 1991, he said he was joined “in at 18, out right before this” (join NIS), so he was joined in 1972.
Cast
Series Regulars
| Name | Portrayed by | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Leroy Jethro Gibbs | Mark Harmon | NCIS Special Agent in charge of the NCIS Major Case Response Team. |
| Anthony DiNozzo Junior | Michael Weatherly | Senior Special Agent and second-in-command of the NCIS Major Case Response Team. |
| Ziva David | Cote de Pablo | Mossad/NCIS Liaison Officer and a member of the NCIS Major Case Response Team. |
| Timothy McGee | Sean Murray (actor) | Junior Special Agent of the NCIS Major Case Response team. |
| Abigail Sciuto | Pauley Perrette | Forensic Specialist associated with the NCIS Major Case Response Team. |
| Leon Vance | Rocky Carroll | Director of NCIS. Credited but does not appear in the episode. |
| Donald Mallard | David McCallum | Chief Medical Examiner associated with the NCIS Major Case Response Team. |
Recurring Cast
| Name | Portrayed by | Role |
|---|---|---|
| James Palmer | Brian Dietzen | Assistant Medical Examiner, NCIS. |
| Shannon Gibbs | Aviva | Gibbs's girlfriend and later, wife. |
Guest Cast
| Name | Portrayed by | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson Gibbs | Ralph Waite | NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs's father. |
| Chuck Winslow | Richard Lineback | Local businessman who owns the mining company in Stillwater. |
| Ed Gantry | Casey Sander | Local policeman and long-time friend to Chuck. |
| Nick Kingston | Christian Campbell | Chuck's son-in-law. |
| Emily Kingston | Kayla Mae Maloney | Chuck's daughter. |
| Chris Kingston | Griffin Churchill | Emily and Nick's son. |
| Seth Welch | Geno Monteiro | Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. |
| Janet LaCombe | Dendrie Taylor | Ethan LaCombe's aunt. |
| Ethan LaCombe | Erik Eidem | Victim and Emily's ex-boyfriend. The two were actually half-brother and sister. Is also Chuck 'Charles' Winslow's son and a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. |
| Kelvin Taylor | Brandon Hirsch | Victim and a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. |
| Coal Miner | Tim Barraco | Local Miner. Uncredited role. |
| Coal Miner 2 | David Cohen | Uncredited role. |