A gruesome mishap at a Navy petty officer's gender reveal party leads NCIS to the case of a missing teacher that was popularised on a true crime podcast.
Tropes:
- Bittersweet Ending: Jess and NCIS are able to solve Emma's murder and arrest her murderer, but Sam is still left to grieve for his murdered wife and with the knowledge that their marriage was in worse shape than he realized. The episode ends with Jess joining Sam at Emma's grave where he thanks her for saving his life and clearing his name. They are joined by Emma's sister and Sam's sister-in-law Molly who tearfully apologizes to Sam for believing him guilty. Sam forgives Molly and they both hug in reconciliation as they grieve over Emma.
- Convicted by Public Opinion: Deconstructed. Months of being wrongfully accused of Emma's murder has driven Sam to Despair Event Horizon and nearly committing suicide while Emma's real murderer has been hiding under everyone's noses.
- Despair Event Horizon: Months of being accused of being behind Emma's disappearance and murder has driven Sam to this.
- Forgiveness: At the episode's end, Sam is joined by his sister-in-law Molly who tearfully apologizes for blaming him for Emma's death. Sam forgives Molly and they both hug in reconciliation as they grieve over Emma.Molly: [Tearfully] "I'm... I'm so sorry, Sam. I don't ever expect you to forgive me."Sam: "...I already have. Everything you said and did was out of love for your sister. And that's something we both have in common."[Sam and Molly tearfully hug in reconciliation as they grieve over Emma]
- Nostalgia Filter: Sam remembered the happier moments of his and Emma's marriage, unaware that Emma has become unhappy with their marriage and was considering divorcing him.
- We Used to Be Friends: Sam's sister-in-law Molly had once loved him as a brother until Emma was murdered and she believed Sam to be responsible. After Emma's real murderer was arrested, Sam and Molly are able to reconcile in the end as they both grieve over Emma.
