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Warning: Spoilers Ahead for “NCIS” Season 23, Episode 6 — “Page-Turner”
Bill Inoshita/CBS
In the latest episode of “NCIS,” titled “Page-Turner,” Tim McGee, portrayed by Sean Murray, finds himself in a precarious situation. During a promotional tour for his “Deep Six” book series, written under the alias Thom E. Gemcity, McGee is kidnapped and held captive. In his state of distress, he begins to hallucinate his own literary creations, including the character Knightingdale, based on Katrina Law’s Jessica Knight. For long-time fans, this scene might strike a chord of familiarity, particularly Knightingdale’s acrobatic leap and leather attire, reminiscent of a similar fantasy McGee had about the late Caitlin Todd, brought to life by Sasha Alexander, in the Season 3 opener, “Kill Ari: Part 1.”
In that earlier fantasy, Tim imagines Kate, who met a tragic end in the Season 2 finale “Twilight,” calling him a “naughty boy” while landing on his desk in an outfit akin to Knightingdale’s. She executes a backflip, transforming her outfit into a teddy as she hits the ground, complete with a leather whip crack. Although Tim is both dazzled and disconcerted by this exaggerated portrayal of Kate, he quickly snaps back to reality. In “Page-Turner,” his vision of Knightingdale is not quite as provocative, as Tim is more focused on escaping his predicament than indulging in fantasy.
McGee’s “Deep Six” series draws inspiration from his real-life friends and colleagues, a creative choice that once nearly led to Abby Sciuto, played by Pauley Perrette, facing grave danger. This blurring of lines between fiction and reality offers viewers an entertaining glimpse into his imagination. Interestingly, despite the leather-clad persona, Knightingdale closely mirrors Jessica Knight’s true character.
The episode also features Nick Torres, played by Wilmer Valderrama, as the character Rick Soares, a nerdy and introverted figure, starkly contrasting Torres’s rugged and street-smart nature. Meanwhile, Alden Parker, enacted by Gary Cole, is reimagined as the sophisticated Professor Parkman, complete with a bow tie and an air of dignity that the real Parker lacks. These fictional counterparts add a playful element to the unfolding drama, even as McGee faces the urgent need to escape and continue his storytelling.
McGee’s book series has taken on a life of its own
Bill Inoshita/CBS
On a fascinating note, Knightingdale’s accent closely resembles the one Katrina Law used for her portrayal of Nyssa al Ghul in “Arrow,” a role she is well-known for outside of “NCIS.” This callback may intrigue fans interested in Law’s diverse acting range, stretching from the realms of DC’s Batman universe to her current “NCIS” endeavors.
Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) surfaces as the nerdy Rick Soares in “Page-Turner.” He’s nebbish and retiring — the exact opposite of the tough, streetwise Torres. Alden Parker (Gary Cole) is portrayed as the erudite, bow tie-wearing Professor Parkman, who is more dignified and sophisticated than his real-life counterpart. Their appearances make the episode a lot of fun, despite the high stakes — McGee’s characters have come to him at a dire time, and he’ll need to survive his kidnapping if he’s going to finish their stories.
An interesting side note is that Knightingdale’s accent in “Page-Turner” is virtually identical to the one Katrina Law used for Nyssa al Ghul in “Arrow,” her best-known character away from Jessica Knight. Here’s everything you need to know about the Batman villain Law played before her time on “NCIS.”
