NCIS season 4 episode 20 Recap and FAQ

Episode Summary

In NCIS Season 4, Episode 20 "COVER STORY," the team investigates a series of murders that bizarrely mimic the plot of McGee's unpublished novel. McGee, struggling with writer's block, is shocked to find real-life parallels to his fictional characters. As the investigation unfolds, it's revealed that the killer is enacting scenes from McGee's book, targeting individuals McGee unknowingly based his characters on. The climax intensifies when Abby, paralleling a character in the book, becomes the killer's next target. McGee's friend Landon is unmasked as the perpetrator, driven by delusions influenced by the novel. The episode concludes with McGee grappling with the consequences of his writing blurring into reality.

Full Episode S04E20 Recap

### Fire Department Emergency Response - Firefighters, including Davis, respond to a possible emergency, only to find a false alarm caused by an overcooked meal. ### NCIS Office - Double Americano for Thom - Thom E. Gemcity (an alias used by McGee when writing) struggles with writer's block and feels pressured by deadlines. - McGee interacts with coworkers about his writing process and the use of a typewriter. - Discussion about McGee's characters, suggesting they are based on real people. ### Investigation at Petty Officer Darren Cove's House - NCIS team investigates Cove's house, finding signs of a party and suspicious circumstances. - Blood samples and evidence of a struggle suggest a violent incident. - McGee is teased about his writing block and encouraged to use his colleagues as inspiration. ### Discovery of a Body - Link to McGee's Book - The team finds a body, with indications that the murder might be connected to McGee's book. - McGee reveals he bases some characters on real people he sees in his daily life. ### Investigation at the Publisher's Office - The team interrogates McGee's publisher about the early release of his book. - Discussion about obsessive fans and the possible link to the murder. - Analysis of stalker letters sent to McGee's publisher reveals escalating obsession. ### McGee's Apartment - Typewriter Ribbon Revelation - McGee realizes his typewriter ribbon could have been stolen, allowing the killer to read his unpublished work. - The team deduces that the killer is acting out the book, targeting people McGee based his characters on. ### Abby's Lab - Urgent Developments - Abby finds a match for the blood sample from the crime scene, linking it to the killer. - Urgency mounts as the team realizes Abby might be the next target, paralleling McGee's book plot. ### Climactic Confrontation - Saving Abby - The team rushes to save Abby from the delusional killer, who believes he's protecting a character from McGee's book. - Landon, a friend of McGee, is revealed as the killer, acting under a misguided attempt to protect McGee's character. - McGee convinces Landon to surrender by fabricating a story ending, saving Abby. ### Resolution and Reflection - The team debriefs after the harrowing event, with McGee feeling guilty for the real-life consequences of his fictional work. - Discussion about the impact of McGee's writing on real people and the dangers of blurring fiction with reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main plot of NCIS Season 4, Episode 20 "COVER STORY"?

The episode revolves around murders that mimic the plot of McGee's unpublished novel, leading the NCIS team to investigate the connection.

Who is Thom E. Gemcity?

Thom E. Gemcity is an alias used by McGee when he writes his novels.

What problem is McGee facing in this episode?

McGee is struggling with writer

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Cover Story