During an organized event in a wooded area, a Boy Scout finds the decomposing body of Lt. Loren Singer in a tree. NCIS investigates, and Harm soon becomes the prime suspect. Harm appears to try to hide something. The NCIS, continuing its investigation, finds not only several surprises about Loren's death but also several pieces of circumstantial evidence pointing directly to Harm, who then finds himself in an uncomfortable position. Special Agent Jethro Gibbs also gives attention to terrorists in the Middle East. This episode and the next one introduce the NCIS characters and pave the way for the NCIS series, which debuts five months later (on 23 September 2003).
—DocRushing