Directed by Tony Wharmby
Written by Scott Williams
Season 13, Episode 8
Savoria:
Insurgents in South Sudan attack a group of doctors who volunteer with the International Doctor’s Group; three end up killed and two of them are kidnapped by the insurgents to force them to heal their injured leader. Since two of the doctors are part of the Navy, the case falls into the hands of NCIS and Special Agent Stan Burley, who is stationed in South Sudan, asks Team Gibbs for help. When they go to IDG’s headquarters to collect information about the doctors who were attacked, DiNozzo ends up reunited with his ex-girlfriend Jeanne Benoit (now known as Jeanne Woods), who co-founded IDG with her husband, who happens to be one of the kidnapped doctors. The two of them and McGee travel to South Sudan to help Stan rescue the remaining doctors. Meanwhile, Gibbs is forced to take medical leave when he suddenly faints in the squad room and he debates if he should talk about his near-death experience at the hand of Daniel Budd's group with Dr. Taft.Tropes:
- Audience Surrogate: Bishop is the only main character who wasn’t around when Jenny Shepard sent Tony to date Jeanne as a way to gather intel on her arms-dealer father and wound up falling in love with her for real, so Tim gives Bishop (and by extension, the audience) the quick summary on what exactly happened.
- Call-Back:
- Several to Seasons 4 and 5, regarding Tony and Jeanne's relationship. At one point, McGee gives an entire rundown to Bishop, who is the only main character that wasn't there when it happened.
- One of the IDG doctors who were kidnapped happens to be one of the Navy doctors who helped save Gibbs' life when he was shot by Luke Harris on Daniel Budd's orders.
- The Cavalry: When Jeanne, Tony, Tim, and Stan are rescuing the kidnapped doctors, it seems like the insurgents are about to kill all of them when a Special Ops helicopter suddenly shows up and shoots at the insurgents with their own machine guns, distracting them long enough for the NCIS agents and the doctors to escape.
- Meaningful Rename: When Jeanne got married, she adopted her husband’s family name, which is why Tony is caught completely blindsided when they meet again.
- Old Flame: Jeanne and Tony reunite, and despite how their relationship ended and the fact that Jeanne is now married to another man, there is still something there, which everyone picks up on.
- The Bus Came Back: Jeanne Benoit, whose last appearance was eight years ago.
- Running Gag: "Jeanne Benoit? Really?"
- You Are in Command Now: Bishop is put in charge of Team Gibbs in the Navy Yard with Tony and McGee going over to South Sudan to work the case in the field and with Gibbs on medical leave.
