The injured sailor is from Stillwater, Pa., which is home to not only a coal mine, but to Leroy Jethro Gibbs himself. When trace evidence yield coal dust on the victims, it's time for a road trip.
Although DiNozzo is as excited as a kid at Christmas by the possibility of seeing the town that made Gibbs "Gibbs", he must stay behind.
Ziva and McGee accompany Gibbs to Stillwater, where the local sheriff, an old "friend", gives them a not-so-friendly greeting.
We soon meet Gibbs's father, Jackson Gibbs, a grumpy old man with a twinkle in his eye for the pretty ladies. He's played one of the greatest TV dads of all time -- Ralph Waite, best known to most of the TV generation as the head of the Walton family.
As the investigation progresses, we learn that the injured sailor had a troubled past, and everyone in Stillwater thought he was dead. Except, that is, for the married daughter of Charles Winslow, the wealthy mine owner and old nemesis of Agent Gibbs. There are many secrets in the Winslow house, and not much trust.
As the investigation unfolds, trash is searched for evidence, McGee's car explodes, Tony and Abby arrive with warrants and lab equipment, Gibbs and his father share some heartwarming moments and spin around the block with a muscle car and a shotgun, and secrets of paternity are revealed.
In this “very special episode”, Gibbs faces his estranged father and some of his personal demons, and comes out the other side a changed man. This glimpse into Gibbs' past says more than words. While the viewer treated to flashbacks that put the characters and their confrontations into context, the team must muddle through without this inside knowledge.
Gibbs, a man of few words, has even fewer words than usual. We see glimpses both figuratively and literally -- of the surly teenager he once was. (Trivia alert: The teenage Gibbs is played by Mark Harmon's son Sean.) But Agent Gibbs warms up as the episode progresses, and we see flashes of the smile that made Mark Harmon People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 1986.
Jackson Gibbs is a charming man who has seen the world and returned back home. He obviously loves his son, regardless of their past troubles. Their reconciliation is heartwarming and genuine, and melts the iceberg around Agent Gibbs' heart a little.
There is limited screen-time for Ducky in this episode, although he does arrive at the early-morning crime scene still dressed in formal attire... It appears our dashing medical examiner may be stepping out!
(Tony was a little light on movie references this episode, although we do get treated to an extended riff on The Marx Brothers' "A Night At The Opera". Did I miss any? Feel free to share in the comments. -- A.S.)