NCIS season 15 episode 21 Recap and FAQ

Episode Summary

Sara Carter, seeking justice for her murdered mother, a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, confronts NCIS. Despite initial hesitance, Gibbs and his team take on the case. They uncover that Sara's mother, Mae Carter, was investigating a prescription drug ring linked to a hostel's owner, Jax Wesley. Jax's gun is identified as the murder weapon, but he dies while fleeing from NCIS. Eventually, an accomplice involved in the drug thefts is arrested for Mae's murder. The case sheds light on the struggles of homeless veterans, as Sara, facing financial troubles and fearing for her son's custody, reluctantly accepts help from a support organization for female vets.

Full Episode S15E21 Recap

### NCIS 15x21 "One Step Forward" - **The Front Gate Incident** - Song "Teardrop Valley" by The Lonesome Drifter plays. - Sara Carter confronts the guard at NCIS, demanding justice for her murdered mother, Mae Carter, a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer. - Sara is arrested after a physical altercation. - **NCIS Team Discusses the Incident** - The team discusses the gate incident, media attention, and the difficulty of getting a reservation at The Cooler, a unique restaurant. - Gibbs is informed about Sara's arrest and her mother's unsolved murder case. - **Sara's Interrogation** - Gibbs interviews Sara, who explains her mother's background and insists on NCIS taking her murder case. - Sara reveals her mother, a former Navy investigator, was killed at home and the case remained unsolved. - **Investigation Begins** - NCIS decides to take on Mae Carter's case. - The team reviews Mae's background and discusses a primary suspect, Robert Flynn, linked to a nearby burglary. - **Interview with Robert Flynn** - Flynn, now a reformed burglar, denies involvement in Mae's murder but mentions hearing an argument between two women at Mae's house. - **Further Leads and Clues** - Detective Olson shares his insights, suggesting a potential conflict between Mae and Sara. - Abby and Jimmy analyze the crime scene evidence, noticing discrepancies. - **Sara's Financial Troubles** - The team discovers Sara's financial issues and suspects her involvement. - Sara is confronted about skipping town and reveals her living situation in her car. - **NCIS Team Discusses Sara's Situation** - The team debates Sara's potential guilt and her challenges as a homeless veteran with a child. - **Sara's Interview** - Sara explains the argument with her mother was about Mae using her savings to pay Sara's debts, not her murder. - Sara refuses help from Final Salute, a support organization for female vets. - **Abby's Surprise for The Cooler** - Abby receives gifts from the team in anticipation of her dinner at The Cooler. - She struggles to choose a companion for the dinner. - **Discovery of Mae's Investigation** - Abby finds evidence suggesting Mae was investigating a prescription drug ring. - Mae was tracking missing packages, possibly leading to her murder. - **Jax Wesley's Death and Connection** - Jax Wesley, owner of a hostel, is killed while fleeing from NCIS. - The team discovers the hostel's involvement in the drug ring and Jax's gun matches the murder weapon. - **Confrontation with Earl Kraft's Accomplice** - Diane Boyle, a reporter, confronts Gibbs about NCIS's handling of the case. - The team identifies and confronts the accomplice responsible for the drug thefts and attacks. - **Resolution and Sara's Acceptance of Help** - The case concludes with the arrest of Mae's killer. - Sara finally accepts help for herself and her son, Theo. - **Abby's Dinner at The Cooler** - Abby enjoys her dinner at The Cooler, reflecting on the case's resolution. - The episode ends with a focus on the ongoing challenges faced by homeless veterans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the name of the episode?

"One Step Forward"

Who is Sara Carter?

Sara Carter is the daughter of murdered retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Mae Carter.

Why was Sara Carter arrested?

Sara was arrested after causing a disturbance at the NCIS front gate, demanding justice for her mother's murder.

Who was Mae Carter?

Mae Carter was a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer and former command investigator.

What was the main suspect, Robert Flynn's, involvement in Mae's murder?

Robert Flynn, a reformed burglar, denied involvement in Mae's murder but mentioned hearing an argument at Mae's house.

Why was NCIS hesitant to take Mae Carter's case initially?

The case did not fall under NCIS jurisdiction as Mae's murder occurred off-base.

What financial troubles was Sara Carter facing?

Sara was in significant debt and living in her car with her son, Theo.

What evidence suggested Mae Carter was investigating a drug ring?

Mae had a list of tracking numbers from a mail-order pharmacy, indicating she was tracking missing packages linked to a drug ring.

How was Jax Wesley connected to Mae Carter's murder?

Jax Wesley owned a hostel involved in the drug ring and his gun was identified as the murder weapon.

Who ultimately killed Mae Carter?

An accomplice in the prescription drug theft, working with Jax Wesley, killed Mae Carter.

What organization offered help to Sara Carter?

Final Salute, an organization supporting female veterans, offered help to Sara.

Why did Sara initially refuse help from Final Salute?

Sara feared admitting she needed help would lead to her losing custody of her son, Theo.

What was the outcome of the case?

NCIS arrested Mae Carter's killer and Sara Carter accepted help for herself and her son.

What does the episode highlight about veterans?

The episode highlights the challenges faced by homeless veterans, particularly women.

What was Abby's dilemma regarding The Cooler?

Abby struggled to choose a companion to join her for a dinner at The Cooler, a unique restaurant.

Watch NCIS season 15 episode 21 Online

One Step Forward