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Mind Games is the third episode in NCIS Season 3 as well as the 49th episode of the entire NCIS series.

Synopsis

A psychopathic serial killer who murdered several young women while carving a mark in their backs as well as taking their tongues as trophies is scheduled for execution in three days. In despair, the local authorities have granted him temporary release in hopes that he'll tell the families of the victims he killed where he buried their loved ones but the killer is only interested in talking to the one person who arrested him: NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs. However, while investigating the case, Gibbs and the team come across disturbing evidence that suggests that a copycat is still carrying on the killer's legacy despite the killer having been on Death Row. The stakes are raised when Paula Cassidy who has joined the team on a temporary basis in the aftermath of Kate's death is kidnapped by the copycat, forcing the team into a desperate race against time as they seek to save her from the copycat's clutches while also ensuring that the serial killer's execution goes ahead as planned.

Prologue

Act One

Act Two

Act Three

Act Four

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Gibbs, Tony, McGee and Cassidy watching as serial killer Kyle Boone is dragged away, his plans at extending his stay of execution ruined.

Major Events

Trivia

  • This is the only episode of Season 3 as well as the only episode of the entire series up until the Season 11 premiere episode, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (episode) that Cote de Pablo (Ziva David) doesn't appear in.
  • Mike Franks must have been Gibbs's partner when he arrested Kyle Boone, since he was arrested in 1995 and Franks retired in 1996.
  • Christopher Shyer (Kyle Boone) and Jessica Steen (Paula Cassidy) who appear in this episode are both originally from Canada.
  • When Gibbs asks McGee how far John Biggs is, the red light of a camera can be seen in the back seat of the car he and Tony are in.
  • The serial killer's file number on the file reads "H1 J3551CA" or "Hi Jessica" which was referring to SA Paula Cassidy who was played by Jessica Steen.
  • This episode also marks the directional debut of William Webb who works on NCIS as its Cinematographer.
  • Boone shares traits with two serial killers- Ted Bundy, a rapist who tried to put off his execution date by bargaining with the authorities, offering them information on missing women and girls that had never been found. Although Boone tried, he failed while in real life, Bundy escaped custody twice and killed more people during both escapes before he was recaptured and executed via the electric chair on January 24, 1989 at Florida Station Prison in Raiford, Florida at the age of 42 and Henry Lee Lucas, a serial killer responsible for numerous murders, the first being his mother, Viola who was a prostitute. Lucas soon recanted his claims except for the statement that he had killed his mother, severely damaging the reputation of the Texas Rangers who had been investigating the case while also giving rise to great awareness of false confessions as well as a re-evaluation of police techniques. Lucas himself died in Ellis Unit, a prison in Huntsville, Texas at the age of 64 on March 12, 2001.
  • Boone's collusion with his lawyer, Adam O'Neill is also inspired by Kenneth Bianchi, one of the Hillside Stranglers who along with his cousin Angelo Buono Jr. was responsible for killings that occurred in Los Angeles, California from October 16, 1977 to February 16, 1978. Bianchi manipulated Veronica Compton to commit a copycat assault and attempted murder in the hope of portraying him as innocent even though he was still in prison. Compton's attempts failed and she was ultimately tracked down and arrested, revealing Bianchi's involvement. While Bunono Jr. died in prison on September 21, 2002 at the age of 67, Bianchi who is still alive as of April 2023 and is 71 years old remains in prison, having received life imprisonment. He is due for parole in 2025, having last applied for and been denied parole on August 18, 2010.

Cast

Series Regulars

Name Portrayed by Role
Leroy Jethro Gibbs Mark Harmon NCIS Special Agent in charge of the main NCIS Major Case Response Team.
Anthony DiNozzo Junior Michael Weatherly The Senior Agent of the main NCIS Major Case Response Team and also the second-in-command.
Abigail Sciuto Pauley Perrette NCIS's Chief Forensic Scientist.
Timothy McGee Sean Murray Junior Agent of the main NCIS Major Case Response Team.
Donald Mallard David McCallum NCIS's Chief Medical Examiner.

Recurring Cast

Name Portrayed by Role
Paula Cassidy Jessica Steen A NCIS Agent temporarily assigned to Gibbs's team.

Guest Cast

Name Portrayed by Role
Cynthia Summer Stephanie Mello Jenny's secretary.
Adam O'Neill Lawrence Monoson Kyle Boone's lawyer and also the copycat killer.
John Briggs Chad Donella A man who's writing Boone's autobiography.
Sam Kelleher Tom Wright The warden of Sussex State Prison.
Charles Norin Scott Williamson The Governor of Virginia.
Kyle Boone Christopher Shyer A psychotic serial killer.
Selena Booth Stacie Harder Kyle Boone's mother. Uncredited role.
NCIS Agent (Mind Games) Rudi Rose Uncredited role.
  v - e - dNCIS Season 3
Kill Ari Part 1 (episode)Kill Ari Part 2 (episode)Mind Games (episode)Silver War (episode)Switch (episode)The Voyeur's Web (episode)Honor Code (episode)Under Covers (episode)Frame-Up (episode)Probie (episode)Model Behavior (episode)Boxed In (episode)Deception (episode)Light Sleeper (episode)Head Case (episode)Family Secret (episode)Ravenous (episode)Bait (episode)Iced (episode)Untouchable (episode)Bloodbath (episode)Jeopardy (episode)Hiatus Part 1 (episode)Hiatus Part 2 (episode)
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