It wouldn’t be a major “NCIS” anniversary if we weren’t subjected to a Gibbs rule — one of those little pieces of wisdom that Leroy Jethro Gibbs let slip throughout his time on the show. The bromide used in “A Thousand Yards” is “there is no such thing as coincidence.” That proves to be painfully true when it’s revealed Lindsey Wexler, the internet-based squeeze of Leon Vance’s estranged son, Jared, is the daughter of the terrorist who tried to take down Air Force One in “Yankee White,” the show’s very first episode.
The case is blown open by Tobias “T.C.” Fornell (Joe Spano) whose big return was spoiled by Sean Murray’s Instagram photo. Fornell recalls that a reference Wexler comes forth with was once uttered by a former foe of Gibbs. That’s just one way that Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ presence is felt in “A Thousand Yards,” though Mark Harmon didn’t film new footage for the episode.
One of the neatest and quickest Easter eggs employed by “A Thousand Yards” is the use of Agent William Baer, Jr. (Jeremy John Wells) — a member of the Secret Service who is ultimately responsible for grounding Air Force One and saving the life of the president at Kasie’s mayday request. He is the son of William Baer (Gerry Becker), who was Caitlin Todd’s (Sasha Alexander) boss before she joined the crew. It’s a sweet gesture that proves the “NCIS” team is all family.