Mind Games (episode)

Mind Games is the third episode in NCIS Season 3 and 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==
==Major Events==
*Director Shepard's secretary, Cynthia Summer, is introduced for the first time.
*It's revealed that a month has passed since the events in Kill Ari Part 1 (episode) and Kill Ari Part 2 (episode).
==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 to escape, 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.
**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)
Category:NCIS Episodes
Category:NCIS Season 3 Episodes
Category:NCIS Episodes written by Jeffrey Kirkpatrick
Category:NCIS Episodes written by John C. Kelley
Category:NCIS Episodes directed by William Webb
Category:NCIS Episodes featuring Paula Cassidy
Category:NCIS Episodes featuring Cynthia Summer