Musical Chairs is the 8th episode of NCIS Season 17 and the 386th episode of the entire NCIS series.
Synopsis
The team investigates the murder of a musician in the Navy's most elite band that performs at diplomatic events around the world.
Prologue
Act One
Act Two
Act Three
Bishop after suspect Andrew Hopper has informed her and Torres that he was trying to protect Navy Musician First Class Hannah McClain.
Act Four
Act Five
Major Events
- Gibbs has to take an abrupt leave of absence due to Fornell's daughter Emily going through rehab again (while using "Sturgeon Fishing" as his official excuse), even leaving behind both his phone and his badge and gun as well as leaving McGee in charge for the duration of the investigation. This would later be elaborated in Sturgeon Season (episode).
- Jacqueline Sloane's daughter Faith delivers some medical paperwork for her to fill in, acting as the first time the two have had any significant speech to each other since their first meeting after her birth.
Trivia
- The song played at the beginning & end of this episode is Sing, Sing, Sing (With A Swing) composed by Louis Prima.
Cast
Series Regulars
| Name | Portrayed by | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Leroy Jethro Gibbs | Mark Harmon | Special Agent in charge of the NCIS Major Case Response Team. Later leaves the team midway through the investigation to go assist Tobias Fornell on an unknown event. |
| Timothy McGee | Sean Murray | Senior Special Agent and second-in-command of the NCIS Major Case Response Team. Following Gibbs's temporary departure from the team, McGee becomes the temporary Special Agent in Charge and the acting leader of the team. |
| Eleanor Bishop | Emily Wickersham | Special Agent for the NCIS Major Case Response Team. |
| Nicholas Torres | Wilmer Valderrama | Special Agent for the NCIS Major Case Response Team. |
| Jacqueline Sloane | Maria Bello | NCIS Forensic Psychologist. |
| James Palmer | Brian Dietzen | Chief Medical Examiner for the Major Case Response Team. |
| Kasie Hines | Diona Reasonover | NCIS Forensic Specialist. |
| Leon Vance | Rocky Carroll | Director of NCIS. |
| Donald Mallard | David McCallum | NCIS Historian. |
Recurring Cast
| Name | Portrayed by | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Faith Tolliver | Kate Hamilton | NCIS Forensic Psychologist Jacqueline Sloane's daughter. |
| Concert Fan | Miles Quincy Martin | Uncredited role. |
Guest Cast
| Name | Portrayed by | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Neil Farzad | Eyas Younis | Navy Senior Chief Musician. |
| Hannah McClain | Emma Bell | Navy Musician First Class. |
| Luke Undervoy | Owen Saxon | Navy Musician First Class. |
| John Warren | Richie Rosales | Navy Musician First Class and murder victim. |
| Hugo Grava | Link Ruiz | Music equipment manager and rhodium smuggler. |
| Andrew Hopper | Eric Winzenried | |
| Mature Woman | Peg Shirley |