Reviewers often highlight the balance of humor and emotional stakes in this early episode.
: This episode features the first-ever on-screen Gibbs Slap delivered to Tony DiNozzo, a moment many fans consider "glorious" and a foundational element of their father-son dynamic. Watch NCIS S01E (5)
The episode kicks off when a hunter in a Maryland forest discovers a mummified body inside a jettisoned Navy cargo pod. The NCIS team identifies the remains as , who disappeared from the USS Eisenhower in 1994 along with $1.2 million in payroll funds. For ten years, Schilz was branded a thief and a deserter, leaving his widow, Mary, and their daughter without any military benefits. Reviewers often highlight the balance of humor and
The investigation takes a personal turn as Kate Todd becomes obsessed with clearing Schilz’s name. The trail leads to (played by Melora Hardin), a former Petty Officer living a luxury lifestyle she claims is funded by the lottery. The team eventually deduces that Toner and an accomplice, Ted Martinez, murdered Schilz, stuffed him in the pod, and used Toner's looks to distract the crew while they moved the body. Critical Review & Highlights The NCIS team identifies the remains as ,
: The title refers to Abby Sciuto’s belief that the mummified remains carry a curse, adding a lighthearted, eccentric layer to an otherwise grim case. Community Perspectives
The fifth episode of Season 1, titled " The Curse ," is widely regarded as a formative installment where the series truly began to establish its unique blend of military procedural drama and character-driven humor. Airing on October 28, 2003, it masterfully balances a cold case mystery with the developing interpersonal dynamics of the original MCRT. Plot Summary: A Ten-Year-Old Mystery
: The episode is heavy on specific military references, such as TFOA ("Things Falling Off Aircraft") reports.