"Unusual Suspects" succeeds because it leans into the "found family" aspect that has kept NCIS on the air for two decades. By contrasting the elderly suspects with Jessica’s father, the episode meditates on the passage of time. It asks: What do we leave behind, and how do we stay relevant in a world that keeps moving faster?
We see the friction between Jessica’s modern approach to law enforcement and her father’s old-school, "legendary" status. It touches on the universal struggle of trying to step out from a parent’s shadow while still seeking their approval. NCIS.S20E15.mp4
Do you prefer the "side-quest" episodes or the darker seasonal arcs? "Unusual Suspects" succeeds because it leans into the