Requiem (episode)
Encyclopedia
"Requiem" is the seventh episode in the fifth season, and the 101st overall episode, of the American crime drama
television series NCIS
. It first aired on CBS
in the United States on November 6, 2007. The episode was written by Shane Brennan
and directed by Tony Wharmby
.
In the episode, Leroy Jethro Gibbs
is visited by Maddie Tyler, the childhood best friend of his deceased daughter, for help in stopping a Marine who she believes stalking her. When Tyler is kidnapped, Gibbs becomes more personal in the case. It is later revealed the stalker is using Tyler's home to get their hands on four million dollars
in stolen Iraq
i aid money.
"Requiem" was originally intended to be the 100th episode of the series, until the producers switched the order with "Chimera" because they believed it would be suitable to air near Halloween
. The episode was seen by 18.15 million viewers, which was the second largest audience at the time.
(Michael Weatherly
) shooting two armed suspects at a dock before diving into the water to save his superior Leroy Jethro Gibbs
(Mark Harmon
) and a young woman (Cameron Goodman
) from a submerged car. DiNozzo then attempts to resuscitate them.
The narrative focuses twenty-four hours earlier. The young woman, Maddie Tyler arrives at NCIS to see Gibbs. Tyler was the childhood best friend of Kelly Gibbs, Gibbs' daughter. She asks for his help regarding her Marine
ex-boyfriend Rudi Haas (Nick Spano
), whom she believes is stalking
her. At her apartment, Gibbs confronts Haas and warns him to stay away. After returning to NCIS he, DiNozzo, Timothy McGee
(Sean Murray) and Mossad
liaison officer Ziva David
(Cote de Pablo
) initiate an investigation on Haas. Tyler later calls Gibbs to tell him Haas has returned. By the time Gibbs arrives, he finds her home ransacked and witnesses Tyler being forced into a Jeep
.
After the team find the Jeep, they also find Haas dead. Following an autopsy, Medical Examiner Donald Mallard (David McCallum
) confirms that Haas has been murdered sometime before Tyler's kidnapping, meaning somebody else took her. It is revealed that Haas was under investigation after he and two other Marines were suspected of stealing four million dollars
of aid money to Iraq
, but the money could not be found. Throughout the case, NCIS Director Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly
) believes Gibbs has become personally involved because of his relationship with Tyler. Gibbs also reminisces about Kelly and Shannon, his first wife, before they were murdered. Meanwhile, the rest of the team discover that Haas did not in fact stalk Tyler, but was in fact watching for the arrival of her mail; he and two others used Tyler's address to send a letter with details leading to the location of the four million dollars. However, Gibbs already came to that conclusion and works on his own.
Returning to Tyler's apartment, Gibbs receives a letter leading to the money. He retrieves it and manages to get into contact with the kidnappers. Gibbs bargains the money for Tyler's freedom, to which they agree. After arriving at the docks, Gibbs hands them half the money and will release the other half when Tyler is free. By then the kidnappers become hostile and attempt to kill them; Gibbs manages to free her and run to a car. With no where to go, Gibbs reverses the car into the water. DiNozzo witnesses this, and rescues the two. Before he is revived, Gibbs hallucinates that he is visited by his wife and daughter and is reassured that everything is fine.
, and directed by Tony Wharmby
. Brennan wanted the fifth season to include "big moments" and "big episodes," and felt that "Requiem" was a "classic example" of that. The episode heavily featured Gibbs' back story, particularly his family life while he was a Marine. In describing the episode, Mark Harmon stated "What's been let out are just little glimpses, kind of like a strobe light, these little pops here and there. "Requiem" changed some of that, because his past was dug into. Gibbs is pretty tight, you know. He's real sure about the job and what he does on the job. And I think he's very unsure about everything else."
In introducing the character of Maddie Tyler, Brennan wanted to show what it would be like if Gibbs saw a girl who may have well been his daughter if she lived, and then put her into jeopardy. Since Kelly was killed while Gibbs served in Iraq, Brennan wanted Gibbs to be in a position where he could save Tyler as if she was his own daughter. The ending of the episode differed during the writing process. The original ending would show Gibbs burying his daughter's time capsule
in his garden, showing he has put her to rest. However when "Requiem" was being written, Brennan thought of the two photographs, one showing Gibbs with Tyler and another of Kelly, they would be placed in a juxtaposition where it would appear Gibbs has his arms around Kelly.
While the episode was filmed, Brennan stated that "everyone, right across the board, every department involved in making this show was challenged by that episode." He also described Wharmby's directing style, stating "[Wharmby], who's just a fabulous director, has an ability to take a script, to get inside it, to understand it. And he's an old-fashioned director. He gets out there. He doesn't sit in what we call video village. He gets out and stands beside the camera." One of the major sequences in the episode were the scenes taking place at the dock. They were filmed in two separate locations; the dock was filmed on location in San Pedro, the port district of Los Angeles
, California
, while the underwater scenes were filmed at a tank in the San Fernando Valley
. While shooting in San Pedro, Michael Weatherly was allowed to run up to the water, but a stunt man later stood in to perform the dive. The underwater sequences took two days to film. The crew noted that water was one of the most difficult environments to shoot in, as it changed the light focus, and communication proved difficult. Before shooting took place, the cast and crew present followed the storyboards of the sequence. The water was also dyed to look murky. The filming crew also noted that Harmon did not hesitate to accept to perform underwater. Body doubles were on hand, but the producers were so impressed by how Harmon played dead, they felt one was not needed, as they believed one could not replicate the performance.
"Requiem" was originally produced and to be released as the series' 100th episode. However, when the producers looked into the schedules, they realized the 100th episode will air the day before Halloween
. Another season five episode "Chimera", seemed suitable to air on that slot. As a result, "Requiem" was pushed back a week.
crime drama Bones
, which drew second, was seen by around half the audience. It also became the seventh largest ratings for the week it aired.
Crime film
Crime films are films which focus on the lives of criminals. The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains. Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies.- Plays and films...
television series NCIS
NCIS (TV series)
NCIS, formerly known as NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service, is an American police procedural drama television series revolving around a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, which conducts criminal investigations involving the U.S...
. It first aired on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
in the United States on November 6, 2007. The episode was written by Shane Brennan
Shane Brennan
Shane Brennan is an Australian writer and producer for television; more popularly known as the creator of the American CBS drama, NCIS: Los Angeles....
and directed by Tony Wharmby
Tony Wharmby
Tony Wharmby is an English television director and producer.Wharmby is best known for his directorial work on television series such as JAG, NCIS, The O.C., Bones, Providence, Coronation Street, High Sierra Search and Rescue, The X-Files, Coins in the Fountain, New Scotland Yard, Gossip Girl,...
.
In the episode, Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Leroy Jethro Gibbs is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the CBS TV series NCIS. He is portrayed by Mark Harmon.-Background:...
is visited by Maddie Tyler, the childhood best friend of his deceased daughter, for help in stopping a Marine who she believes stalking her. When Tyler is kidnapped, Gibbs becomes more personal in the case. It is later revealed the stalker is using Tyler's home to get their hands on four million dollars
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
in stolen Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
i aid money.
"Requiem" was originally intended to be the 100th episode of the series, until the producers switched the order with "Chimera" because they believed it would be suitable to air near Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
. The episode was seen by 18.15 million viewers, which was the second largest audience at the time.
Plot
The episode begins with Special Agent Anthony DiNozzoAnthony DiNozzo
Anthony "Tony" D. DiNozzo Jr. is a fictional character from the CBS TV series NCIS. He is portrayed by Michael Weatherly.-Background:Tony comes from a wealthy family from Long Island, New York. He is an only child, but has been cut off from his family's fortune. His mother, maiden name Paddington,...
(Michael Weatherly
Michael Weatherly
Michael Manning Weatherly, Jr. is an American actor, best known for his roles as Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo on the television series NCIS, and Logan Cale on the television series Dark Angel.-Early life:...
) shooting two armed suspects at a dock before diving into the water to save his superior Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Leroy Jethro Gibbs is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the CBS TV series NCIS. He is portrayed by Mark Harmon.-Background:...
(Mark Harmon
Mark Harmon
Mark Harmon is an American actor who has been starring in American television programs and films since the mid-1970s, after a career as a collegiate football player with the UCLA Bruins. Since 2003, Harmon has starred as Leroy Jethro Gibbs in the CBS series NCIS.-Early life:Harmon was born Thomas...
) and a young woman (Cameron Goodman
Cameron Goodman
-Biography:She was born in Texas but grew up in Washington D.C. She attended Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. after transferring from Syracuse University in New York.-Career:...
) from a submerged car. DiNozzo then attempts to resuscitate them.
The narrative focuses twenty-four hours earlier. The young woman, Maddie Tyler arrives at NCIS to see Gibbs. Tyler was the childhood best friend of Kelly Gibbs, Gibbs' daughter. She asks for his help regarding her Marine
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
ex-boyfriend Rudi Haas (Nick Spano
Nick Spano
Nick Spano is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his role as Donnie Stevens in the Disney Channel Original Series Even Stevens....
), whom she believes is stalking
Stalking
Stalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted and obsessive attention by an individual or group to another person. Stalking behaviors are related to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person and/or monitoring them via the internet...
her. At her apartment, Gibbs confronts Haas and warns him to stay away. After returning to NCIS he, DiNozzo, Timothy McGee
Timothy McGee
Timothy "Tim" McGee is a fictional character from the CBS television series NCIS. He is portrayed by Sean Murray. Timothy McGee is a special agent investigating crime in this police procedural show...
(Sean Murray) and Mossad
Mossad
The Mossad , short for HaMossad leModi'in uleTafkidim Meyuchadim , is the national intelligence agency of Israel....
liaison officer Ziva David
Ziva David
Ziva David is a fictional character from the NCIS television series by CBS Television, portrayed by Chilean actress Coté de Pablo....
(Cote de Pablo
Cote de Pablo
María José de Pablo Fernández, better known as Coté de Pablo , is a Chilean-American actress and recording artist. De Pablo has won an ALMA Award for her role as NCIS Special Agent Ziva David in the television series NCIS...
) initiate an investigation on Haas. Tyler later calls Gibbs to tell him Haas has returned. By the time Gibbs arrives, he finds her home ransacked and witnesses Tyler being forced into a Jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
.
After the team find the Jeep, they also find Haas dead. Following an autopsy, Medical Examiner Donald Mallard (David McCallum
David McCallum
David Keith McCallum, Jr. is a Scottish actor and musician. He is best known for his roles as Illya Kuryakin, a Russian-born secret agent, in the 1960s television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., as interdimensional operative Steel in Sapphire & Steel, and Dr...
) confirms that Haas has been murdered sometime before Tyler's kidnapping, meaning somebody else took her. It is revealed that Haas was under investigation after he and two other Marines were suspected of stealing four million dollars
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
of aid money to Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, but the money could not be found. Throughout the case, NCIS Director Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly
Lauren Holly
Lauren Michael Holly is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart in the TV series Picket Fences, as Mary Swanson in the 1994 film Dumb & Dumber, and as Jenny Shepard on the TV series NCIS. She was married to comic actor Jim Carrey from 1996 to...
) believes Gibbs has become personally involved because of his relationship with Tyler. Gibbs also reminisces about Kelly and Shannon, his first wife, before they were murdered. Meanwhile, the rest of the team discover that Haas did not in fact stalk Tyler, but was in fact watching for the arrival of her mail; he and two others used Tyler's address to send a letter with details leading to the location of the four million dollars. However, Gibbs already came to that conclusion and works on his own.
Returning to Tyler's apartment, Gibbs receives a letter leading to the money. He retrieves it and manages to get into contact with the kidnappers. Gibbs bargains the money for Tyler's freedom, to which they agree. After arriving at the docks, Gibbs hands them half the money and will release the other half when Tyler is free. By then the kidnappers become hostile and attempt to kill them; Gibbs manages to free her and run to a car. With no where to go, Gibbs reverses the car into the water. DiNozzo witnesses this, and rescues the two. Before he is revived, Gibbs hallucinates that he is visited by his wife and daughter and is reassured that everything is fine.
Production
The episode was written by Shane BrennanShane Brennan
Shane Brennan is an Australian writer and producer for television; more popularly known as the creator of the American CBS drama, NCIS: Los Angeles....
, and directed by Tony Wharmby
Tony Wharmby
Tony Wharmby is an English television director and producer.Wharmby is best known for his directorial work on television series such as JAG, NCIS, The O.C., Bones, Providence, Coronation Street, High Sierra Search and Rescue, The X-Files, Coins in the Fountain, New Scotland Yard, Gossip Girl,...
. Brennan wanted the fifth season to include "big moments" and "big episodes," and felt that "Requiem" was a "classic example" of that. The episode heavily featured Gibbs' back story, particularly his family life while he was a Marine. In describing the episode, Mark Harmon stated "What's been let out are just little glimpses, kind of like a strobe light, these little pops here and there. "Requiem" changed some of that, because his past was dug into. Gibbs is pretty tight, you know. He's real sure about the job and what he does on the job. And I think he's very unsure about everything else."
In introducing the character of Maddie Tyler, Brennan wanted to show what it would be like if Gibbs saw a girl who may have well been his daughter if she lived, and then put her into jeopardy. Since Kelly was killed while Gibbs served in Iraq, Brennan wanted Gibbs to be in a position where he could save Tyler as if she was his own daughter. The ending of the episode differed during the writing process. The original ending would show Gibbs burying his daughter's time capsule
Time capsule
A time capsule is an historic cache of goods or information, usually intended as a method of communication with future people and to help future archaeologists, anthropologists, or historians...
in his garden, showing he has put her to rest. However when "Requiem" was being written, Brennan thought of the two photographs, one showing Gibbs with Tyler and another of Kelly, they would be placed in a juxtaposition where it would appear Gibbs has his arms around Kelly.
While the episode was filmed, Brennan stated that "everyone, right across the board, every department involved in making this show was challenged by that episode." He also described Wharmby's directing style, stating "[Wharmby], who's just a fabulous director, has an ability to take a script, to get inside it, to understand it. And he's an old-fashioned director. He gets out there. He doesn't sit in what we call video village. He gets out and stands beside the camera." One of the major sequences in the episode were the scenes taking place at the dock. They were filmed in two separate locations; the dock was filmed on location in San Pedro, the port district of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, while the underwater scenes were filmed at a tank in the San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
. While shooting in San Pedro, Michael Weatherly was allowed to run up to the water, but a stunt man later stood in to perform the dive. The underwater sequences took two days to film. The crew noted that water was one of the most difficult environments to shoot in, as it changed the light focus, and communication proved difficult. Before shooting took place, the cast and crew present followed the storyboards of the sequence. The water was also dyed to look murky. The filming crew also noted that Harmon did not hesitate to accept to perform underwater. Body doubles were on hand, but the producers were so impressed by how Harmon played dead, they felt one was not needed, as they believed one could not replicate the performance.
"Requiem" was originally produced and to be released as the series' 100th episode. However, when the producers looked into the schedules, they realized the 100th episode will air the day before Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
. Another season five episode "Chimera", seemed suitable to air on that slot. As a result, "Requiem" was pushed back a week.
Reception
"Requiem" was seen by 18.15 million live viewers following its broadcast on 6 November 2007, with an 11.4/17 share among all households, and a 4.0/11 share among adults aged 18 to 49. 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. It became the largest ratings for the fifth season, and NCIS's second largest audience ever at the time, behind the third season episode "Probie", which was seen by 18.17 million viewers. It was also up by almost two million viewers from "Chimera", the previous week's episode. In total viewers, "Requiem" easily won NCIS and CBS the 8 p.m timeslot; the FoxFox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
crime drama Bones
Bones (TV series)
Bones is an American crime drama television series that premiered on the Fox Network on September 13, 2005. The show is based on forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology, with each episode focusing on an FBI case file concerning the mystery behind human remains brought by FBI Special Agent...
, which drew second, was seen by around half the audience. It also became the seventh largest ratings for the week it aired.