Continuing this week is the fourth season of the hit drama series following a team of special agents who investigate Navy and Marine Corps-related crimes. Tonight, Gibbs and the team investigate after a marine is found dead in an abandoned restaurant; and Tony experiences some romantic problems as his girlfriend seems to be having difficulty rejecting the advances of her ex.

A man thinks he has hit upon the perfect place to propose to his girlfriend –the now-derelict restaurant where they had their first date. But the occasion is ruined somewhat when the couple spot a dead body lying on the floor of the eaterie, crawling with maggots.

When local police discover that the dead man was a marine, they call in NCIS. Ducky deduces that the man, identified as Petty Officer Evan Davidson, died around four days ago. Ducky also discovers that while the victim appeared to have been in good health, he had “the liver of a 75-year-old man” –and a shockingly high blood alcohol level: “I’m surprised he could stand, never mind break into an abandoned restaurant.” It appears that Davidson died after indulging in an almighty bender, but Abby’s analysis of a chemical compound found in his bloodstream reveals that he was actually murdered with a deadly poison.

Abby then begins to process a strange laminated card that was found on the body. Completely print-free, it appears that the killer wanted the card to be found –and a speck of blood underneath the lamination could be part of a message for the investigators. Abby also finds a hidden compartment in Davidson’s shoe, containing 24 Ecstasy pills, which solves the mystery of how he was able to get into the exclusive club he was seen leaving on the night of his death: he had been supplying drugs to the rich and famous who frequented the establishment.

The case gets stranger when Abby solves the riddle of the card’s message. A quick spray of luminol reveals the sinister words: ‘Expect More’, which had been written in blood then wiped away. It is apparent that the team are dealing with a murderer who is taking great trouble to show them how clever he is –but will they be able to catch him out?

The next step is to get into the club that Davidson was seen leaving, but the absence of a witness putting him inside the building means that a warrant is going to be extremely difficult to come by. Gibbs is furious, but local detective Morris, who is also involved in the case, reminds him that ignoring protocol can sometimes have the unwelcome effect of letting the bad guys back onto the streets. However, Tony catches a break when he manages to get an ID on the girl Davidson was seen with on the night of his death –she is an escort who frequently worked the club, so he and local detective Carson set up surveillance in the hopes of finding her and getting a statement.

Meanwhile, Abby’s analysis of the blood found on the card reveals a shocking twist: it belongs to a prostitute who was murdered two months ago. A crime scene photo shows another message – the words ‘Dead Whore’ concealed in a bloody shoe-print –which prompts Gibbs to wonder if they are dealing with a serial killer. But why would the killer suddenly switch from murdering prostitutes to sailors?

Also this week, Tony’s relationship with Jeanne hits a stumbling block when he realises that she may not quite be over her ex-boyfriend, who is pestering her to get back together with him. Jeanne assures Tony that she is dealing with the problem, but can he trust her?

Friday 14th March at 9:00pm on five