Once a Hero (episode)

Once a Hero is the eighth episode in NCIS Season 4 and the seventy-eighth episode of the entire NCIS series.
==Synopsis==
During a security conference, an honored Marine veteran falls to his death, prompting the conference to be shut down while the NCIS team investigate.
==Prologue==
In an unnamed hotel in D.C, there's a hive of activity as numerous people begin gathering food from a buffet table while others exchange conversation and talk.
Among them is NCIS Director Jennifer Shepard who simply smiles at something.
At the table, NCIS Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo Junior looks very peckish while his partner, NCIS/Mossad Liaison Officer Ziva David, is talking to someone.
Tony reaches for a bagel, only for Ziva to slap his hand away and remind him that they're not here to eat: they're here to protect the Director.
Tony states that this is probably the most secure building in the whole country right now and CIA, DSS, ATF, FBI, the whole alphabet's here.
He also reveals that state troopers and metro cops are here along with NCIS's finest, Tony himself.
Ziva just glares at him.
"And you", Tony says.
Tony then states that he is hungry and these are public servants like NCIS which means that the food is free. Ziva corrects Tony by saying that some are defense contractors.
Tony believes that they're beltway bandits that make a career from stealing from the public trough.
"Politicians", Ziva says.
Tony asks her if she's ever seen a skinny politician.
Ziva looks over and remarks that it's too late before stating that it looks like their guest of honor has arrived.
As numerous people walk, a man's voice states, "Ladies and gentlemen, the retiring secretary of defense of the United States of America".
This has everyone including Jenny clapping.
As this goes on, Tony tells Ziva that he's going to get something to eat and makes a beeline for the buffet table, leaving Ziva behind.
Tony reaches for some salmon.
Meanwhile, Ziva has spotted danger and yells, "Director!", startling everyone.
She then grabs Jenny and they fall to the ground while others step back just as someone crash-lands onto the buffet table, destroying it while sending food all over the floor.
This has everyone scrambling for cover while the agents including Tony draw their weapons.
"Down here!", someone yells.
As Tony stands there, his gun drawn, Ziva and Jenny get to their feet with everyone glancing up towards the sky and wondering what's going on.
In the center of the former buffet table lies the body of a man.
It then cuts to Jenny, Ziva and Tony, all of whom are now staring at the body in question.
==Act One==
==Act Two==
==Act Three==
In the bullpen as Tony sits at his desk, his eyes closed, McGee wonders how a homeless guy staying illegally in a hotel room order room service?
"This wouldn't be a trick question, would it, Probie?", Tony wonders.
"No", McGee says.
Tony suggests that the guy call room service with McGee then holding a stapler up to his head while stating, "Room service. Hi. This is the guy staying illegally in Room 607. Yes, the room shut down for maintenance. I'd like to order some breakfast".
As Tony sits up, he grumbles that was definitely a trick question and as Tony rubs his eyes, McGee asks for a tricky answer with Tony suggesting that someone brought it to him.
==Act Four==
==Major Events==
*Michelle Lee goes undercover for the first time.
*It's revealed that Lee can also speak Chinese.
==Trivia==
*The opening scene features archive news footage of then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, simulating the presence of this personage at the reception.
*The opening scene in an 'upscale Washington hotel' was filmed at the hotel Embassy Suites Los Angeles, International Airport/North.
==Cast==
===Series Regulars===
Name 	Portrayed by 	Role
Leroy Jethro Gibbs 	Mark Harmon 	NCIS Special Agent in charge of the NCIS Major Case Response Team.
Anthony DiNozzo Junior	Michael Weatherly	Senior Special Agent and second-in-command of the NCIS Major Case Response Team.
Ziva David 	Cote de Pablo 	Mossad Liaison to the NCIS Major Case Response Team.
Abigail Sciuto 	Pauley Perrette 	NCIS's Chief Forensic Scientist.
Timothy McGee 	Sean Murray 	Junior Agent of the NCIS Major Case Response Team.
Jennifer Shepard 	Lauren Holly 	NCIS Director.
Donald Mallard 	David McCallum 	NCIS's Chief Medical Examiner.
===Recurring Cast===
Name 	Portrayed by 	Role
Jeanne Benoit	Scottie Thompson	Tony's girlfriend.
James Palmer 	Brian Dietzen 	Ducky's assistant.
Michelle Lee 	Liza Lapira 	An NCIS Special Agent originally assigned to Gibbs's team who now works for the NCIS Legal Department.
===Guest Cast===
Name 	Portrayed by 	Role
Davey Chen 	Ming Lo 	A Chinese national and businessman responsible for running an illegal prostitution ring involving underaged Chinese teenage girls.
Andy Nelson 	Jonathan M. Woodward	Congressman Getz's assistant.
Frank Getz 	Ned Schmidtke 	A Congressman.
Luis Romero 	Francesco Quinn 	A former Marine and currently a hotel maintenance supervisor.
Marty Pearson 	Michael Gilden 	Abby's friend.
Maria (Once a Hero)	Laura P. Vega 	A maid.
Brian Wright 	Michael M. Foster 	Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and the main victim. Uncredited role.
Donald Rumsfeld 	Himself 	Archive footage. Uncredited.
  v - [ e] - dNCIS Season 4
♦ Shalom (episode) ♦ Escaped (episode) ♦ Singled Out (episode) ♦ Faking It (episode) ♦ Dead and Unburied (episode) ♦ Witch Hunt (episode) ♦ Sandblast (episode) ♦ Once a Hero (episode) ♦ Twisted Sister (episode) ♦ Smoked (episode) ♦ Driven (episode) ♦ Suspicion (episode) ♦ Sharif Returns (episode) ♦ Blowback (episode) ♦ Friends and Lovers (episode) ♦ Dead Man Walking (episode) ♦ Skeletons (episode) ♦ Iceman (episode) ♦ Grace Period (episode) ♦ Cover Story (episode) ♦ Brothers in Arms (episode) ♦ In the Dark (episode) ♦ Trojan Horse (episode) ♦ Angel of Death (episode)
Category:NCIS Episodes
Category:NCIS Season 4 Episodes
Category:NCIS Episodes written by Shane Brennan
Category:NCIS Episodes directed by Thomas J. Wright
Category:NCIS Episodes featuring Jeanne Benoit
Category:NCIS Episodes featuring James Palmer
Category:NCIS Episodes featuring Michelle Lee