NCIS season 16 episode 17 spoilers: Rocky Carroll directs ‘Silent Service’

NCIS season 16 episode 17 (airing on Tuesday, March 12) is entitled “Silent Service,” and without even getting into the story, there is something notable about the man in the director’s chair. Rocky Carroll is back as director and is going to be once again putting his personal touch on this show.

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Director is a position that Carroll is starting to become more than just familiar with. This isn’t even the first episode in 2019 that Rocky has directed — that was “The Last Link,” which aired prior to the now-landmark hour “She.” What makes actors-as-directors special is that added touch that comes from the relationship between them and the rest of the team. Rocky is not an original cast member; yet, he has been such a longtime staple that he knows the ins and outs of the team and has a great understanding of the characters and feel of the show. He knows what a fantastic performance by Mark Harmon or Sean Murray looks like, he understands the crew from the costume design team to those in lighting and sound and he knows a way to ensure that everyone can come together for a killer story.

Now, let’s turn to what’s coming up and why it matters so much — CarterMatt has the official NCIS season 16 episode 17 synopsis below:

“Silent Service” – Director Vance is notified by the Pentagon that the nuclear submarine Gibbs and Bishop are aboard to conduct a murder investigation has gone radio silent, on NCIS Tuesday, March 12 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Series star Rocky Carroll directed the episode.

What stands out about this episode?

For starters, that Carroll is directing an episode that seems to feature him quite prominently. This is a rarity within the broadcast TV world, mostly because having to jump between roles in front of the camera to behind the camera is like Clark Kent having to jump between working at the Daily Planet and putting on a cape. It’s a lot to tackle and it is a lot to consider when you take on the directing role — remember, no one is a harsher critic of an actor than the actor themselves.

Also, it seems as though Bishop and Gibbs will be left to take on this mystery solo. This matters when you consider the events of “She” and the tests they went through within that episode. While they came out stronger at the end, we learned how much Bishop is willing to go rogue for the sake of the result. They’re going to need each other to both solve this investigation and make it back to shore; hopefully, the talk about rules and/or Gibbs threatening to kick her off a case is left behind back at headquarters.

There are a couple of episodes airing before “Silent Service,” including one that you can check out on Tuesday night. You can see a preview for it here, and it features Nick Torres front and center.

Intrigued by NCIS season 16 episode 17?

Happy to see Carroll back in the director’s chair? Be sure to share in the comments below. (Photo: CBS.)