NCIS Season 23 Episode 5, titled Now and Then, is an acclaimed crossover with NCIS – Origins that connects the past with the present, showcasing the comeback of Special Agent Vera Strickland. This episode masterfully intertwines nostalgia with a cold case from 30 years ago that involves Gibbs, Franks, and a prison escape.
NCIS Season 23 Episode 5 – Plot & Story
Just three weeks before his planned release, a prison inmate named Thomas Mulligan makes a daring escape, compelling the team to revisit a case from the 1990s concerning the death of a naval officer. The inquiry uncovers a tangled web of deceit surrounding a wrongful conviction, a hidden child, and a community shielding a murderer.
Ultimately, the real killer is disclosed to be James Wallace, a current congressman who took the life of his own grandfather driven by greed. The episode concludes with the team exonerating both Mulligan and the fallen officer, delivering a feeling of hard-earned justice.
Positives
1) This episode marks a “captivating journey back in time”, skillfully leveraging a 33-year-old cold case to honor the show’s deep-rooted history and the lasting impact of Gibbs and Mike Franks.
2) The comeback of Roma Maffia as the retired Special Agent Vera Strickland was a significant highlight. Her character brought the emotional and historical depth necessary to resolve the case for Franks.
3) The NCIS – Origins segment was recognized for it’s deeper emotional impact, whereas the main episode received praise for it’s technical prowess in effectively assembling all the narrative elements to unravel the mystery that has unfolded over the past decade.
Neagatives
1) Katrina Law’ hair undergoes various changes in length and style throughout the same scene.
2) A logical inconsistency exists when a prisoner who has been locked up for 32 years is able to use a modern smartphone and summon an Uber right after escaping.
Conclusion
Overall, NCIS Season 23 Episode 5 (Now and Then) serves as a “masterclass in crossovers” by expertly intertwining past and present timelines.