NCIS

You all picked the wrong house.

Let's go.

Okay.

We done?

*N C I S* Season 20 Episode 05

Episode Title: "Guardian" Aired on: October 17, 2022.

Oh, God.

Guys. Over here.

I'm a little beat up, but I'll live.

Thank God you're okay, Director.

The cop outside said there was a fatality.

We didn't know if...

I'm fine. Fine.

Can't say the same for him.

One of your uninvited guests?

Well, some don't know when to leave.

Yo, you all right? Man, don't do that again.

You'll give me a heart attack. I appreciate your concern, Agent Torres.

So what happened? I came for a glass of water,

I walked in on three guys wearing masks.

Fought 'em off until one pulled a gun,

and lucky for me, he missed.

This is the shooter here?

Yeah.

I incapacitated him while the other two ran off.

Incapacitated is an understatement.

Looks like you broke his neck.

Well, he started it.

Well, no ID.

- Hopefully prints are in the system. - How'd they get in?

I don't know. The alarm didn't go off.

- Did they take anything? - No.

Looks like I interrupted them

before they could steal anything.

Or maybe they weren't here to steal.

Okay, we don't need a Bandium alert for this one.

Let's get to it. McGee.

I'll go check the alarm system.

Knight, talk to the neighbors.

Torres, a bullet nearly hit our beloved director

right over there, so find it for me.

Agent Parker,

I appreciate you taking this so seriously,

but is this all really necessary?

I mean, it could just be a random burglary.

Could be a lot of things.

But I'm not willing to take that chance.

Anyone else having a hard time keeping their eyes open?

Kidding? We've been up since 3:00 a.m.

Oh, man, what I wouldn't give for a shower and a shave.

I just want out of these pj's.

We're at work, for crying out loud.

People keep staring at me.

And now you're staring at me.

"Medical Examiners Convention 2013."

Is it me,

but does Jimmy have the exact same T-shirt?

Well, Nick, uh, yeah, I believe he does.

Oh, God.

Hmm.

Okay, what did we get?

Well, unfortunately, our John Doe is still a John Doe.

Prints aren't in the system.

Jimmy has his body now, though, so hopefully he can help ID him.

- What about the bullet? - I found it lodged

in the cabinet. Kasie's running the ballistics now,

but I also talked to local PD.

Two houses in Vance's neighborhood

have been robbed in the last four months.

Could be the same guys.

Except they don't have Vance's security system.

Thing is state of the art... AI, biometrics.

Whoever broke in knew how to bypass it.

So we're looking at pros. Neighbors see anything?

No, but their video doorbell did.

The same van drove past Vance's house repeatedly

the day of the break-in.

Did you get a license plate?

It's a rental.

But the driver used a fake ID and credit card.

I have a BOLO out on the van.

Yeah, this random burglary

is sounding less random by the second.

Vance was targeted.

And with two men on the loose, he could still be in danger.

Soon as I get there, I'll call you, okay?

Uh, I got to go.

Director, I think we got a problem.

What is that?

That's my luggage, Agent Parker.

I know what it is. Where are you going?

Interpol Conference in Berlin.

I told you about it last week.

You're still going to that?

- Of course I am. I go every year. - Yeah.

Well, it's not every year

that somebody breaks into your home to kill you.

- We don't know that for sure. - Well, it's looking more like it.

And I think whoever broke in

might not be finished with you.

I understand your concern, Agent Parker,

but I'm not gonna let a threat stop me from doing my job.

I got to say,

I think this is a big mistake.

You shouldn't go. That's not your call to make.

Besides, I won't be going alone.

Olivia, send them in, please.

This is Agent Dominguez, Agent Ford.

They are my protection detail.

Anything happens, they'll be there.

Hey. Alden Parker.

Nice to meet you.

You're dismissed.

- Parker... - Go!

Wait outside.

Hey!

- What the hell are you doing? - You want to go to Berlin?

Fine. I'm going with you.

I'll be your protection detail.

- You? - I'm qualified.

No, you're overkill.

You're a senior agent, Parker.

- Your place is here with the team. - They'll be fine.

Besides, I always wanted to see Berlin.

Plane leaves in an hour. Your bags aren't even packed.

I always keep a go bag in my car.

I'll go get it.

Okay, we're good.

Great.

This way, Director. Just keep moving.

Don't we have to check in? I... already did it.

I took the liberty of getting us adjoining rooms.

How nice.

Hey, um, I'd like to stop in for a quick drink.

It's been a long flight.

We really should go straight to the room.

- It's safer. - Parker, it's one drink.

Besides,

I want to scope out who's here

- at the conference. - Director, this way.

Please?

Should've brought Torres instead.

Director Vance!

Hello.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. - Hey...

It's okay, it's all right. Stand down. I know her.

It's good to see you, Director.

You as well. It's been too long.

Uh, Agent Parker,

allow me to introduce Deputy Lena Paulsen

of the German Federal Intelligence Services.

BND. You'll be attending the conference as well?

Oh, yes.

I wouldn't miss the opportunity

to talk shop with your director.

He is a bit of a legend in these parts.

Deputy Paulsen and I worked together years ago.

Oh, I worked. You were too busy eating strudel.

Okay.

Uh...

I understand you'll be at the cyberterrorism panel tomorrow?

Yes, yeah, I'll be there.

Then perhaps afterwards we can talk some more.

Yes.

Until then, Deputy.

Director.

- Hey, Jimmy. - McGee!

Good to see you changed your clothes.

Yeah, well, I managed to pop home for an hour.

Couldn't keep working in my sweats, you know?

Yeah, especially now that you're Acting NCIS Director.

I read the memo. Congratulations.

That's just until Vance gets back.

You don't sound too thrilled.

Uh, to be honest with you,

I'm... kind of dreading it.

I'm a field agent. I don't want to be stuck

behind a desk dealing with politicians.

Why not try to enjoy this, you know?

Embrace your new found power. You go on longer lunch breaks,

use the private bathroom,

maybe boss some people around.

Okay, how about I start with asking you for an update?

Not exactly "bossy," but we'll work on it.

Okay. Uh...

No big mystery as to how our victim died.

This is what you get if you mess with the director,

a former boxing champ.

Yeah, remind me never to get on Vance's bad side.

Anything so far as to

- who our victim may be? - Possibly.

He's had hair plugs installed into his hairline.

They're synthetic plastic plugs which have been banned

in the United States for decades.

But they're apparently still quite popular

in Eastern Europe, which is possibly where he's from.

Oh, Knight found the robbers' van abandoned

in a D.C. motel parking lot.

We are bringing in the motel owner now.

Go get 'em, Director.