NCIS season 16 episode 13 Recap and FAQ

Episode Summary

NCIS team celebrates "Random Day" with gifts, but the mood shifts when they find Lily, a young girl who escaped a basement where she was held captive by Robert Hill. Lily's mother, Morgan Burke, a missing Navy recruit presumed dead, turns out to be alive and captive. The team discovers Ziva David, a deceased former member, secretly investigated Morgan's case. Bishop defies Gibbs to locate and save Morgan, leading to a tense showdown with Robert. The case reopens old wounds and highlights the emotional depth of their work.

Full Episode S16E13 Recap

### The Morning at NCIS - The team celebrates "Random Day," a tradition started by Kasie, where she gives gifts on a random day instead of traditional occasions. - McGee receives a missing "Q" key for his typewriter, Torres gets a perfectly balanced scarf, and Gibbs is given a hunk of tree for woodworking. - The jovial mood is interrupted when Gibbs orders the team to grab their gear for a situation on base. ### Discovery of Lily - The team arrives at a storage unit where a man found a young girl, Lily, hiding and terrified. - Gibbs and Bishop approach Lily, who reveals she lived in a basement and was locked in by a man named Robert. She mentions her mother is still there. - Lily is taken to the hospital for examination, revealing undernourishment and burns on her body. ### Investigation into Morgan Burke - The team discovers Lily's mother is Morgan Burke, a Navy recruit who went missing ten years ago and was presumed dead in a car accident. - They realize Morgan was abducted while pregnant and has been held captive in a basement. - Gibbs reflects on the case's history, expressing regret for handing it over to local authorities. ### Ziva's Secret Investigation - Bishop discovers Ziva David, a former team member, secretly continued investigating Morgan Burke's case after it was officially closed. - Ziva suspected Morgan's boyfriend, Ben Ramsey, but eventually cleared him. Ben reveals Ziva's secret office, where she kept personal case notes. ### The Hunt for Morgan and Robert Hill - The team learns from Lily about a man named Buddy, who brought them food, and Robert, who hurt her mother. - They find Buddy Hill dead, killed by his brother Robert, who is now on the run with Morgan. - Bishop locates Ziva's office and discovers journals detailing Ziva's emotional investment in her cases, particularly Morgan Burke's. ### The Climax - Bishop, disobeying Gibbs' orders, tracks down Robert Hill's location using a clue from Lily. - In a tense confrontation at a boat dock, Bishop saves Morgan from Robert. - Morgan and Lily are reunited, and Bishop reads a letter from Morgan's mother to Robert, fulfilling a promise made by Ziva. ### Reflections and Closure - The team reflects on the case's impact and Ziva's legacy. - Gibbs acknowledges the importance of emotional connection in their work, despite his rule against personal involvement in cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who started the "Random Day" tradition at NCIS?

Kasie.

What gifts did the NCIS team members receive on "Random Day"?

McGee received a "Q" key for his typewriter, Torres got a scarf, and Gibbs was given a hunk of tree for woodworking.

Who is Lily and how was she found?

Lily is a young girl discovered hiding in a storage unit, terrified of a man who locked her in a basement.

What did the team learn about Lily's mother?

Her mother is Morgan Burke, a Navy recruit who went missing ten years ago and was presumed dead.

What was Ziva David's connection to Morgan Burke's case?

Ziva secretly continued investigating Morgan Burke's case after it was officially closed.

Who killed Buddy Hill and why?

Robert Hill, Buddy's brother, killed him to tie up loose ends as he was on the run with Morgan.

How did Bishop find the location of Robert Hill?

By following a clue from Lily about how she escaped.

How was Morgan Burke finally rescued?

In a confrontation at a boat dock, Bishop saves Morgan from Robert Hill.

What did Bishop do to fulfill Ziva's promise?

She read a letter from Morgan's mother to Robert Hill.

What lesson did the team learn from this case?

The importance of emotional connection in their work, despite rules against personal involvement in cases.

What was Gibbs' reaction to Bishop disobeying his orders?

Gibbs was initially angry but later acknowledged the value of Bishop's actions.

How did Lily escape from Robert Hill?

Lily escaped by hiding inside a mattress that Robert removed from the basement.

What was Ziva's motivation for keeping her investigation a secret?

Ziva was personally invested in the case and wanted to find justice for Morgan Burke.

How did the team feel about Ziva's secret office and journals?

They were surprised and reflected on Ziva's dedication and emotional investment in her cases.

What was the key clue that led to Robert Hill's arrest?

The location of a mattress discarded by Robert, as discovered by Lily's description.

NCIS season 16 episode 13

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