Devil's Trifecta

Last updated

"Devil's Trifecta"
NCIS episode
Episode no.Season 10
Episode 9
Directed by Arvin Brown
Written by Steven D. Binder
Original air dateDecember 11, 2012 (2012-12-11)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Gone"		Next →
"You Better Watch Out"
NCIS season 10
List of episodes

"Devil's Trifecta" is the ninth episode of the tenth season of the American police procedural drama NCIS , and the 219th episode overall. It originally aired on CBS in the United States on December 11, 2012. The episode is written by Steven D. Binder and directed by Arvin Brown, and was seen by 17.65 million viewers. [1] [2]

Contents

Diane, the ex-wife of Gibbs and Fornell, returns in the middle of an NCIS investigation.

Plot

FBI Agent Tobias Fornell is attacked by a gunman at a drive-thru, but is protected by a bulletproof vest and manages to return fire and kill the shooter. Since the shooter is identified as a Navy Seaman, Gibbs and the NCIS team are called in to investigate. The sailor, Tyler Brown, had Fornell's car license number written on a matchbook, indicating that he was deliberately targeted.

The matchbook leads Gibbs and Fornell to a bar where Tyler moonlighted as a bouncer. While they are questioning the bartender, their mutual ex-wife, Diane Sterling, emerges from the bathroom. She claims to be conducting an audit for the I.R.S., but the bartender speaks up, saying she had expressed interest in buying the bar. Gibbs and Fornell arrest her on a charge of lying to federal agents, but Director Vance steps in and informs them that Diane is now a Special Agent for the I.R.S.'s Criminal Investigation Division, and she was on an undercover assignment at the bar, investigating a massive tax fraud case - someone has been stealing hundreds of identities, submitting false tax returns in their names and collecting millions in illicit refunds. She was using her old I.D. from her marriage to Fornell (because of "budget cuts") and sheepishly admits that was probably why Brown was ordered to kill him. Vance then informs Gibbs, Fornell and Diane that they have been ordered to work on the case together - to their shared horror.

The team guesses that Seaman Brown was responsible for stealing the identities of patrons at the bar, and acted as hired muscle, but someone else is the mastermind. Their first suspect is an accountant named Oliver Lambert. When they raid his house they find a number of freezers, one of which contains the body of another patron of the bar.

After Lambert himself (who was helping smuggle the fake IDs to Asia inside fish shipments) turns up, only to end up dying from stab wounds, they realize the real killer is Gordon Freemont, one of Lambert's clients. Freemont was actually running a smuggling operation. They catch up to him at a wedding reception, where he tries to kidnap Diane, which Gibbs averts by delivering a fake proposal to his ex-wife.

A subplot of the episode is the way Diane interacts with the team. She tells Ziva she is taking a break from her husband, Victor Sterling, but lets slip to McGee that Victor is leaving her. She and McGee also fall asleep while talking, so rumors circulate that they slept together, infuriating Fornell and amusing DiNozzo. Fornell also tells Gibbs that Diane specifically requested transfer to his jurisdiction.

Diane visits Gibbs in private and thanks him for saving her life. They both refer to their last private conversation, during the events of "Devil's Triangle", when she said that Gibbs never loved any woman except his first wife, Shannon, but Diane loved him just as much. She now admits that she might have been wrong to say Gibbs never loved her at all. Gibbs advises her to forgive Victor for being himself and not someone else; their marriage failed because he couldn't let go of his attachment to Shannon, and hers will fail if she doesn't let go of her attachment to him, "and the last thing you want to be is me." Diane agrees to consider this advice, and asks Gibbs how he feels about living his life alone. He replies, "I’m not alone."

Production

"Devil's Trifecta" is written by Steven D. Binder and directed by Arvin Brown. The episode marks the return of Gibbs' ex-wife Diane Sterling (Melinda McGraw), first seen in the season nine episode "Devil's Triangle". On October 16, 2012, TV Line reported the return of both Diane Sterling and Tobias Fornell (Joe Spano), where Sterling "has to work undercover" with Gibbs and Fornell". [3]

In Diane's first episode, she comes to Gibbs and Fornell for help in finding her missing husband, but in this episode the writer wanted to "put her on more even footing - to even make her an equal, if possible. [...] The thought of her throwing a badge in Fornell’s face was too good to pass up." [4]

Reception

"Devil's Trifecta" was seen by 17.65 million live viewers following its broadcast on December 11, 2012, with a 2.8/8 share among adults aged 18 to 49. [2] A rating point represents one percent of the total number of television sets in American households, and a share means the percentage of television sets in use tuned to the program. In total viewers, "Devil's Trifecta" easily won NCIS and CBS the night. The spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles drew second and was seen by 15.12 million viewers. [2] Compared to the last episode "Gone", "Devil's Trifecta" was down in both viewers and adults 18-49. [5]

Mary Powers from TV Fanatic gave the episode 4.7 (out of 5) and stated that "If there is an episode that features Gibbs and Fornell, you can almost guarantee it to be a hoot-feast, and tonight's episode was no exception. As serious as the episode began with Fornell almost being killed, it quickly turned into one laugh right after another when the center of the entire mess turns out to be Gibbs and Fornell's mutual ex-wife, Diane Sterling (Melinda McGraw)." [6]

Related Research Articles

Melinda McGraw is an American actress. She has starred in movies such as The Dark Knight (2008), Wrongfully Accused (1998), and Skateland (2010), and is also known for her television performances on Mad Men, Men of a Certain Age, X-Files, The West Wing, and NCIS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leroy Jethro Gibbs</span> Fictional character in the television series NCIS

Leroy Jethro Gibbs is a fictional character and the original protagonist of the CBS TV series NCIS, portrayed by Mark Harmon. He is a former U.S. Marine Corps Scout Sniper turned special agent who commands a team for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. Gibbs is the most accomplished marksman on the team and the most skilled at handling violent standoffs; he depends on his other agents heavily for technical forensics and background checks. He is patient but firm with his team and has little patience for bureaucracy; he commands most other main characters—including his current staff Timothy McGee, Nick Torres and, briefly, Jessica Knight and previous staff Caitlin Todd, Anthony DiNozzo, Ziva David, Alexandra Quinn, Clayton Reeves, Ellie Bishop and Jacqueline Sloane.

"Twilight" is the 23rd and last episode in the second season, and the 46th overall episode, of the American crime drama television series NCIS. It first aired on CBS in the United States on May 24, 2005. The episode is written by John Kelley and directed by Thomas J. Wright, and was seen by 14.74 million viewers.

"Angel of Death " is the 24th episode of the fourth season of the American police procedural drama NCIS, and the 94th episode overall. It originally aired on CBS in the United States on May 22, 2007, and was seen by 14.14 million viewers. "Angel of Death" marks finale of the fourth season and the departure of series creator Donald P. Bellisario, who wrote the script for the episode.

"Last Man Standing" is the first episode of the sixth season of the American police procedural drama NCIS, and the 114th episode overall. It originally aired on CBS in the United States on September 23, 2008. The episode is written by Shane Brennan and directed by Tony Wharmby, and was seen live by 18.03 million viewers.

<i>NCIS</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of the police procedural drama NCIS was originally broadcast between September 19, 2006, and May 22, 2007. Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs left NCIS at the end of season three after a terrorist attack had been successful because his superiors did not heed his warnings in time. The team is now led by Anthony DiNozzo for a short time until Gibbs' eventual return. New characters introduced in this season are Michelle Lee, who was briefly on DiNozzo's team and was transferred to the legal department upon Gibbs' return, and Gibbs' former boss and mentor Mike Franks, both as recurring characters. Also, albeit later in the season, Army CID Lieutenant Colonel Hollis Mann is introduced as another love interest for Gibbs.

<i>NCIS</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of the police procedural drama NCIS premiered on September 25, 2007, and marks the end of Donald P. Bellisario's involvement as show runner. The new showrunner, starting from this season, is Shane Brennan. It concludes the La Grenouille storyline which ended with a cliffhanger in season four's finale, "Angel of Death". This season also includes the show 100th episode, and reveals more background information about Gibbs.

<i>NCIS</i> season 7 Season of television series

The seventh season of the police procedural drama NCIS premiered on September 22, 2009 with NCIS: Los Angeles Season 1 premiering afterwards. At the end of season six, Ziva had left the NCIS team in Israel, returning to work as a Mossad officer. In the closing seconds of that season, Ziva was shown to have been captured and tortured for information about NCIS.

"Secrets" is the 15th episode of the ninth season of the American crime drama television series NCIS, and the 201st episode overall. It originally aired on CBS in the United States on February 14, 2012. The episode is written by Steven D. Binder and directed by Leslie Libman, and was seen by 19.59 million viewers.

"The Missionary Position" is the 20th episode of the ninth season of the American police procedural drama NCIS, and the 206th episode overall. It aired on CBS in the United States on April 10, 2012. The episode is written by Allison Abner and directed by Arvin Brown, and was seen by 17.66 million viewers.

"The Namesake" is the fifth episode of the tenth season of the American police procedural drama NCIS, and the 215th episode overall. It originally aired on CBS in the United States on October 30, 2012. The episode is written by George Schenck and Frank Cardea and directed by Arvin Brown, and was seen by 18.83 million viewers.

"Devil's Triangle" is the 7th episode of the ninth season of the American police procedural drama NCIS, and the 193rd episode overall. It originally aired on CBS in the United States on November 1, 2011. The episode is written by Steven D. Binder and Reed Steiner and directed by Leslie Libman, and was seen by 19.71 million viewers.

"You Better Watch Out" is the tenth episode of the tenth season of the American police procedural drama NCIS, and the 220th episode overall. It originally aired on CBS in the United States on December 18, 2012. The episode is written by George Schenck and Frank Cardea and directed by Tony Wharmby, and was seen by 19.59 million viewers.

<i>NCIS</i> season 11 Season of television series

The eleventh season of the police procedural drama NCIS premiered on September 24, 2013, in the same time slot as the previous seasons, Tuesdays at 8 pm. Special Agent Ziva David, departs during the season with her final appearance being in "Past, Present and Future". The episode "Crescent City ", which aired on March 25, 2014, serves as the first of a two-part backdoor pilot of a second spin off from NCIS called NCIS: New Orleans based in New Orleans.

"Past, Present, and Future" is the second episode of the eleventh season of the American police procedural drama NCIS, and the 236th episode overall. It originally aired on CBS in the United States on October 1, 2013. The episode is written by Gary Glasberg, Scott Williams and Gina Lucita Monreal and directed by James Whitmore, Jr., and was seen by 19.98 million viewers.

"Devil's Triad" is the tenth episode of the eleventh season of the American police procedural drama NCIS, and the 244th episode overall. It originally aired on CBS in the United States on December 10, 2013. The episode is written by Steven D. Binder and directed by Arvin Brown, and was seen by 19.30 million viewers.

<i>NCIS</i> season 12 Season of television series

The twelfth season of the police procedural drama NCIS premiered on September 23, 2014, in the same time slot as in the previous seasons, Tuesdays at 8 pm. This is the first season in which NCIS: Los Angeles did not air after NCIS. This season, NCIS: New Orleans aired after NCIS. The entire season eleven cast renewed their contracts and returned for the new season. The premiere episode aired on September 23, 2014 and was seen by 18.23 million people.

<i>NCIS</i> season 16 Season of television series

The sixteenth season of the American police procedural drama NCIS originally aired from September 25, 2018, through May 21, 2019, at the same time slot as in the previous seasons, Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. and contained 24 episodes.

"Daughters" is the 24th episode of the sixteenth season of the American police procedural drama NCIS, and the 378th episode overall. It originally aired on CBS in the United States on May 21, 2019. The episode is written by Steven D. Binder and directed by Tony Wharmby, and was seen by 12.10 million viewers.

References

  1. ↑ "(#1009) "Devil's Trifecta"". CBS. The Futon Critic. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Bibel, Sara (December 12, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'The Voice' & 'The Mindy Project' Adjusted Up; 'Happy Endings' & 'Take It All' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 14, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  3. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (October 16, 2012). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Castle, NCIS, Glee, Grey's, Gossip, P'hood, Community and More!". TV Line. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  4. ↑ Binder, Steven D. (December 12, 2012). "INSIDER'S BLOG: "DEVIL'S TRIFECTA"". CBS. Archived from the original on December 20, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  5. ↑ Bibel, Sara (November 28, 2012). "Tuesday Final Ratings: 'NCIS' & 'Raising Hope' Adjusted Up". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 1, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
  6. ↑ Powers, Mary (December 11, 2012). "NCIS Review: Devil's Trifecta (With the Devil Always Being the Ex)". TV Fanatic. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.