‘NCIS’ typically follows a cr1me procedural format with weekly stand-alone cases, avoiding ongoing plotlines. Character traits that remain consistent, such as Gibbs’ stoic demeanor and the patented Gibbs stare, serve as enduring elements.
These subtle details remind viewers of the characters’ past experiences, emphasizing that, even as the team faces new cases, their shared history is still an important part of their identities.
The same can be said for Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), everyone’s favorite will-she-return-or-not character.
Her previous life, as well as her time on the ‘NCIS’ team, have shaped her personality. In fact, one particular case had a significant impact on her wardrobe.
Lieutenant Roy Sanders is a walking corpse on NCIS.
In “NCIS” Season 4, episode 16, titled “Dead Man Walking,” Navy Lieutenant Roy Sanders seeks the Major Case Response Team’s help in solving his own murd3r. Afflicted by radiation poisoning, Roy, an International Atomic Energy Agency worker, believes foul play is involved.
The team, led by Gibbs, unravels Roy’s poisoning mystery with Abby identifying the radioactive ash and Ducky linking thallium-laced cigars to the cr1me.
However, the motive remains unclear until Gibbs connects the dots-Roy’s upcoming trip to Uzbekistan to inspect a nuclear reactor. The changes at the site hint at a re-established Soviet-era weapons program.
A $50,000 bribe to IAEA admin Holly Stegman leads to Roy’s poisoning, driven by her desire to prevent his inspection trip, unaware that he’s already dying.
After Roy’s death, Ziva wears his orange beanie.
Navy Lieutenant Roy Sanders and Ziva David form a close bond in the episode. Ziva later recalls seeing him running after initially recognizing him but not understanding why. They bond over common experiences, such as having similar fathers.
Despite the fact that the NCIS team solves Roy’s murd3r, he dies from thallium poisoning, which he knew was fatal. Roy’s strong bond with Ziva leaves a lasting impression, as evidenced by Ziva wearing Roy’s orange beanie in subsequent episodes.
Roy quickly becomes a beloved character with a genuine connection to Ziva in this touching episode. Ziva’s continued wearing of his beanie after his death reflects their close relationship. It represents how, while the NCIS team moves on to new cases, the characters remember those that had a profound impact on them.
The orange beanie becomes a symbolic part of Ziva’s identity, which is subtly noticed and appreciated by fans on Reddit for representing the long-term impact of cases on each ‘NCIS’ character’s personal history.
