Extreme Prejudice (NCIS)

Plot

The NCIS team regroup in the aftermath of the Navy Yard bombing. Gibbs, Abby, Palmer, and Vance escape the explosion unscathed, while Ducky and McGee are hospitalized. Ziva and Tony remain unaccounted for, trapped in an elevator, though they are able to escape. The FBI is called in to aid in the hunt for Harper Dearing, only for Dearing to set a trap that kills four agents. The President authorises the use of "extreme prejudice" to bring Dearing to justice, but the trail runs cold when Dearing seemingly kills himself to avoid capture. Gibbs is unconvinced, and puts pressure on Dearing's sister-in-law to reveal his location. NCIS raid Dearing's home, only to find that he has once again eluded them. Gibbs convinces Vance that the only way to approach Dearing is to approach him alone; Vance agrees and Gibbs is finally able to confront Dearing, who compares himself with Gibbs and the pain of unjustly losing a child. Gibbs stabs and kills Dearing in self-defense before Dearing can shoot him, as the latter man planned to do, and the episode ends two months later with Gibbs passing by a memorial to the victims of the bombing.

Production

"Extreme Prejudice" is written by Gary Glasberg and directed by Tony Wharmby. This is the first episode to feature Brian Dietzen as a series regular on the show. Previously Dietzen had a recurring role on NCIS, starting in late season 1. "After eight years of being with the show, I got a contract with CBS, and I couldn’t be happier about it," Dietzen said to Entertainment Weekly.

Executive producer Gary Glasberg wanted to have a different ending of the episode. Instead of using a gun, Gibbs brings a knife. "For the actual take-down scene at the end, I wanted to do something different", he said. Glasberg also reveals that some of the "moments" from the episode will be continued later in the season. "Like every season opener, this episode had to wrap up one story and launch several others. Ziva's father, Eli, called to check on her. McGee talked about his dad, the Admiral. And don't forget Gibbs measuring his basement as he prepared to begin building something new. Each is a thread you'll see again as the coming season progresses."

Reception

"Extreme Prejudice" was seen by 20.48 million live viewers following its broadcast on September 25, 2012, with a 12.5/19 share among all households, and 4.1/12 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. In total viewers, "Extreme Prejudice" easily won NCIS and CBS the night. It's the second largest premiere on the show, only beaten by the season 7 episode "Truth or Consequences" back in 2009. The spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles drew second and was seen by 16.74 million viewers. The episode was the second most watched television program the week it aired. Compared to the last episode "Till Death Do Us Part", "Extreme Prejudice" was up in both viewers and adults 18–49.

In Canada "Extreme Prejudice" was seen by 2.61 million live viewers following its broadcast on September 25, 2012.

Steve Marsi from TV Fanatic gave the episode 4.5 (out of 5) and stated that "As premieres go, it didn't quite live up to the hype, with the conclusion a bit anticlimactic and parts feeling somewhat disjointed. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable, and it's great to have the team back in one piece."