1.01 - Yankee WhiteThis is a featured page


◄ Previous Episode Season #: 1 Episode #: 01 Air Date: September 23, 2003 Next Episode ►
Yankee White



Synopsis:
While on Air Force One, a Navy Commander dies. Agents from NCIS decide to take the investigation into their own hands and coerce Secret Service Agent Kate Todd to help. Now the NCIS team has to figure out if the Navy Officer's death was of natural causes or not.

Episode Recap:
The episode begins with an exterior shot of Air Force One. The President is seen boarding the airplane, inquiring about his "baby backs" (ribs) from Papa Joe's, and requesting an early lunch. He moves through the airplane in the company of two Secret Service agents (a man and a woman). As they pass a Naval officer, the President inquires, "Wasn't Major Kerry supposed to be handling the football on this one?" The woman advises him that Major Kerry came down with the flu. The President stops to chat with the Naval officer, who is introduced as Commander Ray Trapp. Commander Trapp turns out to have met the President before, on the USS Abraham Lincoln. The President makes a few remarks, then invites Commander Trapp to join him for lunch. As he proceeds to his office in the company of the male Secret Service agent, the woman remains behind, telling the officer, "Lunch with the boss on your first day? You're destined for stars on those shoulders, Commander." She walks away. He sits, and can be seen patting a black briefcase which sits to his side.

[Note: The "football" being discussed is a specially outfitted briefcase used by the President of the United States to authorize the use of nuclear weapons. More information on the "football" can be found here at Wikipedia.]

Air Force One takes off, and time presumably passes. The aircraft stewards can be seen serving lunch. One inquires of the two secret service agents - Agent Baer and Agent Todd - if they would like some lunch. Both decline. Agent Baer leaves to get a sit-rep in the comm center, leaving Agent Todd to "keep an eye on things down here." She asks him if he is expecting a problem. He replies, "Expect problems, Agent Todd. And with a little luck, you'll never lose a President."

Moments later, Commander Trapp returns from lunch with the President. He is visibly perturbed, moves slowly, and is sweating. He drops the "football" and stares at his hand. As he picks it up again, with Agent Todd watching and looking worried, he makes a comment about fumbling the football during his first Army-Navy game. He introduces himself to Agent Todd, who returns the favor. We learn that her first name is Kate. Commander Trapp continues to speak, but his voice is weak and he seems not to be able to catch his breath. He slumps into his chair and Agent Todd asks him if he is ill. He begins to convulse, falling into the floor, and Agent Todd speaks into her wrist comm - "Slammer, Rosefern. Medical emergency, section 1." Agent Baer comes running, as do medical personnel who begin to work on the Commander. Agent Todd tells the doctor that the Commander has just returned from lunch with the President. The doctor runs to check on the President. Agent Todd is ordered to stay with the "football." Close up on Agent Todd's worried face.

Opening credits.

The scene opens on a sexy silver-haired gentleman using hand tools to work on a boat located in a basement. He is interrupted by a telephone and when he answers, we learn his name is Gibbs. A younger man speaks to him from an office somewhere, advising him about the death of the "football" carrier. Air Force One made an emergency landing in Wichita, Kansas, and the younger man has booked them on the first available flight, which includes a layover. When asked if that was the best he could do, he protests, "It's Saturday, Gibbs." Gibbs instructs the younger man to have Ducky get in touch with his coroner friend and ask him to hold the body until they can arrive.

The two men are now seen moving through a Washington, D.C. airport. The younger man complains about everyone else ("FBI, CIA, ATF, even NYPD") having private jets, but "we" do not. They arrive at the security checkpoint and advise the TSA guard that they are LEOs. The (clearly clueless) guard replies that he is a Capricorn, in a "so what?" tone. They clarify that they are Law Enforcement Officers, providing permits and identification from an agency called NCIS, of which the guard has no knowledge. The guard says they can go around the metal detectors but their bags must be scanned. This exercise in governmental logic is interrupted by the arrival of an older man who calls out to the guard that those are his bags. It turns out that this gentleman - the doctor - has a bag permit and they can now skip the scanning process.

Back on Air Force One, a coroner is arguing with an FBI agent, refusing to allow anyone to move the body until the medical examiner arrives and releases it. Agent Todd jumps into the fray; it seems the FBI is trying to steal the investigation from the Secret Service and she is determined to prevent that. The older doctor, who is now identified as Ducky, arrives, trailing Gibbs and the still-unidentified younger man. There is discussion of steaks having been air-expressed. The FBI man is introduced as Agent Fornell. Ducky orders that everyone who boarded in Wichita must leave the plane. Agent Fornell refuses; Agent Todd flew in on the plane. They are allowed to stay. The details of Commander Trapp's death are discussed. Agent Todd mentions that the President is fine and his physician diagnosed Trapp's death as a stroke. Ducky admits it looks like a natural death and that the agents can have the body if they sign releases. As they leave to do so, the coroner asks Ducky about his soft-shell crabs. Ducky says "You'll have them by the weekend."

As soon as the coroner and agents are gone, Gibbs orders the young man - Tony DiNozzo - to get the pilot to fly them out of there, quickly - they are stealing the body and the airplane. Tony goes. Gibbs and Ducky discuss the Commander's death. Agent Todd returns, suspicious: "There's not a soft-shelled crab within a thousand miles." Gibbs identifies himself as NCIS. Todd refuses to give up her part in the investigation and Gibbs offers her a spot on his team. When the pilot refuses to take off without Todd's authorization, she tries to hold out for a chance to head up the team, but concedes when Gibbs threatens to hijack the airplane and leave her behind in Wichita. Tony literally shuts the aircraft door in Fornell's face, and the plane leaves.

Gibbs gets on the comm with his boss and is ordered to make sure that the FBI does not get the body, because if they do, "we won't see an autopsy report until after they leak it to the Washington Post." Below, Ducky is taking the temperature of the corpse's liver to determine time of death. Todd tells him that the President's physician called it as 2032 Zulu. Discussion ensues when Tony asks Agent Todd to stand clear so that he can measure the crime scene for sketches. He must explain why he takes the sketches (measurements are impossible to determine from photos, involving an amusing discussion of the measurements of a swimsuit model on a magazine cover.) Ducky states he would put the time of death as 1915 Zulu, an hour or so earlier than the President's doctor. Todd says he must be mistaken. Gibbs, returning, tells Ducky to note his own time. Then he tells Tony that sketches are not needed; Agent Todd will give him a floor plan.

She follows him as he tours the aircraft, refusing to provide the floor plans because they might be leaked. Gibbs states that NCIS does not leak. He discusses how he's seen all this in a Harrison Ford movie. They discuss the commander, and Major Kerry's flu. More discussion of who left the plane (everyone but the stewards who prepared and served the President's lunch.) Todd learns Gibbs' first two rules. The question of the time discrepancy is resolved - the President's physical was busy checking on the President and did not call TOD until his return to Commander Trapp's body an hour later. We learn that Ducky likes to tell stories and Kate has a great smile. Upon entering the President's office, where Tony is waiting (in the President's chair), Gibbs begins to collect evidence in the form of lunch leftovers. Todd becomes ill and is chased to the bathroom by Gibbs, who makes her vomit into an evidence bag. Gibbs then sends Tony to get Ducky.

We eavesdrop on a phone conversation between Agents Baer and Fornell, who make plans to steal the body (and the investigation) back from NCIS, who Fornell dismisses as "retread cops and ex-MPs." Baer points out that he cannot control NCIS. We go back to the airplane, where Ducky has examined Todd (who is lying on a couch) and confirmed that she appears to be suffering from a stomach virus. She confirms that she is - the same symptoms Major Kerry had. We learn that Todd and Major Kerry were having a clandestine relationship. Gibbs looks disapproving but says nothing, even when challenged by Todd. They maintain intense eye contact until interrupted by a call for Todd from Baer. She goes to take it.

We move to the President's office, where Tony is finishing up his interview of the Chief Steward. Gibbs enters and goes to the bathroom. Ducky follows. He and Tony take photographs of one another in the President's chair. There is discussion of the food, which is probably not where the poison came from since the President is fine. Gibbs comes out of the bathroom and they go to move the body aft. We see Todd on the phone with Baer, being ordered to turn the body over to the FBI on landing at Andrews Air Force Base. She doesn't like it (it's bad for her credibility with NCIS) but it's a direct order. She conveys this to Gibbs, and finds that the body is already moved. He tries to see if she will stall her people long enough for him to sneak away with the body; she refuses, saying she will not defy a direct order. They land at Andrews.

We see Fornell in a van with a driver, discussing why they let NCIS keep the evidence from the plane. A ringing cell phone interrupts their conversation - it is Tony, in the body bag in the back of the van! Gibbs is calling to let him know he can get out and Agent Axelrod is following them to pick him up when the FBI toss him out of their van. The scene switches to a teleconference room with big screens (we will later learn this is MTAC). Gibbs' boss (we will later learn he is Director Morrow) is conversing with the directors of the Secret Service and the FBI. He tries not to gloat about having won this round. He fails. The three directors agree to share the investigation with NCIS at the head. In the autopsy room, Ducky's assistant advises Gibbs that he found Abby and she is on her way in. Ducky advises Gibbs to go home and get some sleep. Gibbs opts for a nap on an empty autopsy table instead.

Tony enters the forensics lab with a box full of organic health food brought from the Commander's home, and we meet Abby, a perky Goth woman who is the team forensics specialist. She is examining the Commander's uniform, but Tony interrupts her and has her begin to examine the food instead. She sends him to take a nap on the futon she keeps under her desk.

The scene moves on to the next day, in the middle of the squad-room. Ducky is explaining cause of death - a cerebral embolism in the parietal lobe - to his audience, made up of Gibbs, Tony, Abby, and Agents Fornell and Todd. Abby elaborates that she found no foreign substances in the Commander's blood. They seem to agree that Trapp died of natural causes. Fornell and Todd turn to leave; Gibbs calls Kate back and asks to tag along on the ride out to California to rejoin the President on his flight back to Washington. She allows it but he is required by Secret Service regulations to come unarmed. He agrees and leaves with her, telling Abby and Ducky to keep looking. The team is left in surprise that Gibbs said "please."

Next we find Kate having dinner with Major Kerry (mentioned earlier) in a Georgetown restaurant. They toast Commander Trapp's memory. Kerry tells her that he and Trapp had lunch a few weeks ago and he gave Trapp suggestions like good dry cleaners, watering holes, and the like, but he did not tell Trapp about the restaurant they are in, because he might have run into Kerry and Todd there. She breaks things off with him, explaining that she is afraid that her focus would be off while working and that her lack of focus might cause the death of a President. He understands. They leave in a friendly manner; he sees her to her car, then goes to his own, where he convulses and dies in his front seat just like Trapp did.

The scene returns to Air Force One. Todd and Baer discuss Gibbs's joining them on the plane; Baer states that he is still just as perturbed as Gibbs; this is not over. Cut to Abby's lab: Ducky suggests that since she is having such trouble finding man-made poisons, perhaps she should look for natural ones (that is, venoms). Cut back to Air Force One: Todd and Gibbs discuss Kerry and Todd confesses to Gibbs that she broke up with Kerry. She blithers a bit. He says little.

Cut to: Abby's lab. She is trying to find the natural venom; having no luck so far. Back to Air Force One: members of the press are getting ten minutes with the President in turn. Gibbs points out that in the Harrison Ford movie he referenced earlier, the terrorists used a reporter to do their dirty work. Todd gently discounts his theory. In her lab, Abby keeps trying. On the street in front of the Georgetown restaurant, DiNozzo arrives at the scene of Kerry's death and is given the investigation by Metro P.D. In her lab, Abby discovers the poison: the venom of a coastal taipan (the most deadly snake in Australia). She is ecstatic.

On the airplane, Gibbs begins noting the differences between their current aircraft (the backup Air Force One) and the other plane (the one Trapp died on). Todd allows that the other aircraft is newer and has minor updates, including keyed locks on the current plane versus digital locks on the other. They are interrupted by a call for Gibbs from comm; he leaves, demanding that Todd make him a list of all differences between the aircraft. He goes to comm and receives the call from Tony, Ducky and Abby, who tell him that Major Kerry is dead and what he and Trapp both died of. They learn that the poison was probably put there by the dry cleaner; Morrow advises Gibbs that the FBI is taking the dry cleaner, which is probably an Al Qaeda sleeper cell.

Coming back downstairs, Gibbs drags Todd into a restroom for a private chat. Holding her own gun on her, he tells her about the venom. She is incredulous - "You think I did it?" - and he points out that she was alone with both Trapp and Kerry right before they died. He makes a sarcastic crack about her "kissing and saying bye-bye" with Kerry, and Todd attacks him, crying and slapping him. He holds her until she calms and sort-of apologizes, explaining that he gave her the information that way to see her reaction. They discuss what the purpose could be for killing the aide; Gibbs deduces that the killer wanted them to transfer to the backup plane. While they are conversing, a man in the press cabin begins to convulse just the same as Trapp and Kerry. The medical team is summoned. One reporter (earlier identified as Leonard in a throwaway scene) is left unattended in a hallway.

While everyone is focused on the dying reporter, Leonard goes to a cabinet, unlocks it with a key, and pulls out an automatic rifle. He grabs a clip and loads it, cocking it and hiding it under his coat. Then he moves to return from whence he came (presumably the President's office). Back in the bathroom, Gibbs deduces that the different (keyed) locks on this plane are the reason for the diversions; that the terrorist they suspect to be on board must have a key to the armory. Todd replaces her earwig and learns that there is a medical emergency in the press cabin. Gibbs knows this is a diversion; he sends Todd to cover the President and goes himself to the armory, (running past the hidden Leonard) which he finds open. He arms himself with what looks like a Sig Sauer handgun. Todd advises the new "football" carrier that no one is to get past him, then moves farther into the plane, presumably into the office where the President is.

Leonard approaches the "football" carrier, who orders him to stop several times. He pretends ignorance - "What? What's happening?" until Gibbs, from behind, yells "Freeze!" Leonard does, turning slowly and saying, "Sure. Someone yelled for a doctor." He then opens fire with his automatic, missing Gibbs, who shoots him several times in the chest. Leonard falls, dead. Wordlessly, Gibbs hands his borrowed weapon over to a shocked Agent Todd and walks away.

After the plane has presumably landed at Andrews AFB, Gibbs and Baer take their leave of one another with friendly words and a handshake. Baer informs Gibbs that Todd has confessed her affair with Major Kerry and handed in her resignation, which Baer was forced to accept because of fraternization rules.

Kate is walking through a parking lot when Gibbs catches up to her. They discuss her leaving the Secret Service. She says it was the right thing to do. "Yep," Gibbs agrees. "Pull that crap at NCIS, and I won't give you a chance to resign." She stops in her tracks, calling out to ask him if that was a job offer. Just then, a silver BMW pulls up, driven by an attractive red-haired woman. Without answering Kate, Gibbs climbs into the BMW, kisses the woman on the cheek, and they drive away. Kate watches them go, looking stunned.

We return to Gibbs' basement. His television kicks on to news coverage of Fornell, discussing the attack and how it was foiled by Federal agents. Gibbs, seemingly unconcerned with the news, has gone back to working on his boat.

End credits.

New Character Development / Insights:
  • Gibbs establishes his predilection for breaking everyone's rules but his own; he establishes that he is absolutely entrenched in inter-agency rivalry; he shows that he doesn't let that stop him admiring someone who can stand up to him, admit their mistakes, show expertise, and handle a crisis
  • Ducky shows that, for all his seemingly fuddy duddy ways, he is actually very polished at deception in a double act with Gibbs, that he uses his ability to win the warmth and affection of his peers to good effect, that he is willing to make promises that he doesn't really intend to keep (the offer of a seafood dinner to the local coroner) (NB: We don't know that Ducky doesn't intend to keep his promise. It is more likely that he does. Very few people hold people who break promises or tell outright lies in the high regard that Ducky is held in my his professional colleagues)
  • DiNozzo shows his competitive streak straight off (against Kate), his childishness (the photos in the president's office), and his willingness to take whatever risk is necessary to get the job done (hiding in the body bag and incurring Fornell's wrath).
  • Fornell, in this episode, does not recognise Gibbs (Gibbs is able to pretend to be Ducky's assistant): the storyline of the shared ex-wife has not yet been invented (we do not mind: we will later love that storyline and the humour it engenders)
  • Gibbs prescience and omniscience are established: he accurately predicts what the baddie will do (and thus prevents catastrophe) and he also knows what Ducky and DiNozzo get up to, even when he is 'otherwise engaged' and not able to watch them (he is in the head).
  • In the beginning, Kate doesn't like Gibbs, saying 'I Think I'm destined to shoot you."


Funny Moments:
  • The posturing early on among Gibbs, Kate, and Tony -- about the jock-strap and the frogs.
  • Ducky and DiNozzo furtively, thus rapidly, posing for photos at the president's desk on air force one, whilst Gibbs is in the head. When Gibbs emerges, his comment makes it clear that he knew what they were doing all along.
  • Fornell and his colleague thinking that they outsmarted Gibbs...and then they hear a cell (mobile) phone go off...and the body in the body bag answers the call.
  • The Coroner smirking at Fornell when he says "I never said it was my medical examiner"...and Fornell realises he has been outwitted.
  • The way that Gibbs offers a job to Kate...Not so much an offer, as a threat of what will happen to her if she ever pulls a stunt like that on Gibbs' watch. His presumptuousness is outrageous but compelling...and funny.
  • Fornell telling Kate "Don't get into this pissing contest, Agent Todd."
  • Tony saying they can't take off until the "Secret Service chick" clears them... then seeing Kate standing there.
  • Tony's photo analysis for Kate, then Ducky commenting. "Isn't 36D a bit of wishful thinking?" "Really?"
  • Gibbs sleeping on an autopsy table while Ducky is working.
  • Gibbs asking "why would Abby go to a fat party?" just before he's going to sleep and Ducky just saying "sleep, Jethro.."
  • Ducky asking Kate if she'd rather have him use the liverprobe instead of a normal thermometer.
  • Kate vs. Tony in the President's Office.
  • Kate asking Gibbs how she is supposed to meet men when she works 24/7, and he responds, "In church."
  • When the LEO at the airport doesn't recognize their agency, and Gibbs turns to Tony and says, "That's embarrassing."
  • Tony goes to close the hatch and Fornell is at the door and Tony says "Sorry we overbooked," and then proceeds to slam the door in his face.
  • Fornell walks by Tony's desk and asks how his butt is. Tony replies, "still bouncing on the beltway."



Trivia:
  • Gibbs and Special Agent Fornell appear to not know each other in this episode. However, as we learn later that is impossible since Fornell married Gibbs' second wife and Gibbs says to Fornell, "I tried to warn you." On the DVD Bellasario states he didn't intend for Fornell to be a recurring character until he saw how well Spano played the role.
  • Special Agent Fornell's name is given as "Tom" in this episode. Later, we learn that it is actually Tobias.
  • Gibbs character appears to be a film buff in this episode. This is a trait given to Tony in future episodes.
  • Gibbs rules: rule #1 - Never let suspects stay together; rule #2 - Always wear gloves at a crime scene; #3 - Don't believe what you're told - double check.



Recurring Cast: Guest Starring:
      • Vivienne Bellisario (Mysterious Redhead)
      • Paul Major (Agent)
      • Doris E. McMillon (News Anchor)
      • Dwayne Mac Opson (Marine Major Carl Pritchard)
      • Richard Anthony Crenna (Chief Steward)
      • Michael Maize (Security Guard)
      • Steve Bridges (George W. Bush)
      • Michael Adler (Navy Captain Burger)
      • Gerald McCullouch (FBI Agent)
      • Robert Bagnell (Leonard Rich)
      • Gerald Downey (Navy Commander Ray Trapp)
      • Dane Northcutt (Marine Major Kerny)
      • Gregory Itzin (FBI Director)
      • Lawrence Pressman (Sercret Service Director)
      • Gerry Becker (William Baer)
      • Gary Grubbs (Coroner Elmo Poke)
      • Jeremy Overstreet (Agent Bowman)
      • Asante Jones (Detective Andy Kochifis)
      Written By: Directed By:
      • Donald P. Bellisario



      Add Episode Photos Below: (No blurry or duplicate photos please)
      Yankee White 1.01 Yankee White
      ducky - president's desk
      		 Gibbs sleeping on the autopsy table
      1.01 - Yankee White - NCIS 1.01 - Yankee White - NCIS
      1.01 - Yankee White - NCIS 1.01 - Yankee White - NCIS



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      Keyword tags: episode guide NCIS season 1 Yankee White
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      angiekchick1975 LOVE THIS EPISODE 0 May 10 2010, 3:44 PM EDT by angiekchick1975
      Thread started: May 10 2010, 3:44 PM EDT  Watch
      THIS IS SUCH A GOOD EPISODE, LOVE THE HUMOR AND THE ACTORS.
      2  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    
      Keyword tags: Episode 1.01 NCIS season 1 Yankee White
      jml709 Old episodes on the USA Network are edited from the originals 0 Aug 11 2009, 12:56 PM EDT by jml709
      Thread started: Aug 11 2009, 12:56 PM EDT  Watch
      Yesterday (August 10) one of the episodes shown on the USA Network was "Yankee White." The USA Network edited out the part where Tony explains to Kate why he has to do sketches with measurements in addition to photographs for accuracy's sake. They also edited out the funny bit where Ducky asks Tony if '36D is a bit of wishful thinking.' Funny stuff ... sadly missing from yesterday's airing of this episode.
      1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
      Keyword tags: editing USA Network
      redrkr Yankee White 0 Jul 3 2009, 11:14 AM EDT by redrkr
      Thread started: Jul 3 2009, 11:14 AM EDT  Watch
      I recently purchased all seasons on DVD. Started at #1 and so on. The first episode they are at Mid Cont airport in Wichita KS. It says Wichita County... WRONG! Wichita is in Sedgwick county. Bummer they couldn't get a hometown connection right, but still an awesome show. I keep reminding my kids how HOT Mark Harmon was when he was younger (not that there is anything wrong now). Hopefully it will be on TV for many more seasons
      Do you find this valuable?    
      Keyword tags: Yankee White
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