
Naval Criminal Investigative Service Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs leads a group of colorful personalities in investigating crimes -- ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism -- that have evidence connected to Navy and Marine Corps personnel. The team includes MIT graduate Timothy McGee, Ellie Bishop, who specializes in international threat assessment, charismatic and unpredictable Nick Torres, and forensic psychologist Jack Sloane. Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard brings his vast experience in forensics into play to help solve cases.
While Gibbs attends the memorial service for a friend who was lost at sea, he discovers that the deceased has been hiding in a fallout shelter after his boat was attacked, and he swam to shore.
Evidence from the stabbing of a Marine sergeant leads Torres to meet his father, who left when Torres was a child.
Sloane is adamant that the man who held her hostage in Afghanistan is still alive; Vance and Gibbs fear Sloane is willing to risk everything to destroy this man.
The team investigates a biker killed in a hit-and-run; Gibbs prepares to testify against a financial adviser who stole millions from his Navy clients.