The comic relief subtext to this episode is the team’s discussion that Abby has been seen dining with a headhunter and is considering another job. DiNozzo has received this as third-hand information and has ignited a gossip wildfire among the staff.
Meanwhile, the team delves into Lt. Arnett’s work and family life. Arnett revealed to Gibbs on the rooftop that his marriage was failing. The team reveals him to be a second-generation Syrian who is working for the Pentagon in an anti-terrorist capacity. NCIS Director Jenny Shepard (Lauren Holly), Gibbs, and McGee go to the director’s office for a sit-down with Navy Capt. Roger Walsh (Titus Welliver). Walsh informs Gibbs that unless Gibbs can tell him that Arnett’s death was unrelated to his service in the navy that his anti-terrorist unit will have to go on total lockdown. Gibbs informs the Captain that the investigation is just beginning and not to hold his breath.
The captain further revealed that Arnett was an Arab-speaking linguist who had been instrumental in capturing several Al-Qaeda operatives and was currently working on one who happened to be located locally in the DC area. The captain takes a parting shot as Gibbs and McGee make their way to the Pentagon to meet with Capt. Walsh and to search Arnett’s desk, where they find a picture of his estranged wife and a prescription bottle of phenelzine which McGee remarks is a strong antidepressant.
[Technical interlude. Phenelzine is an antidepressant drug belonging to the class of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, a largely outdated class of such drugs since the introduction of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as the prototype fluoxetine (Prozac®, Lilly). It is highly unlikely that this drug would have been prescribed for Lt. Arnett because of the availability of better and safer alternatives. However, considering dramatic license, it is a good choice as it has a high capacity for drug-drug interactions when combined with other medications, as will be revealed later in the episode.]
All of which leads Gibbs and McGee to uncover that fact that Arnett was seeing a non-military shrink, Dr. Neil Fleming (Robin Thomas), on his own dime when he could be riding the government’s benefits bandwagon. Gibbs dispatches McGee and DiNozzo to Fleming’s office. Meanwhile, Ziva has Arnett’s wife, Dana Arnett (Alaina Huffman), in a room awaiting interrogation. She is attractive with short, blonde hair and she is questioned by Gibbs and Ziva about her relationship with her husband. She reveals that he had problems opening up (in the extreme) to her and she separated from him hoping that he would seek help. Gibbs notes that Mrs. Arnett did not seem surprised that her estranged husband was suicidal but she was surprised that he was murdered.
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