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NCIS Season 7 Episode 24

Rule Fifty-One

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AIRED: May 25, 2010

8.7

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Episode Summary

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Gibbs has to face his past once again as he goes to Mexico, where he is forced to make a big decision with great consequences.

FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (20)

The 7th Season Ends With A Cliffhanger. Gibbs Faces Paloma Reynosa In Mexico, While Ziva Becomes A U.S. Citizen.

8.0

By Matt16020-FIN, Sep 05, 2012

Like other reviewers of this episode, I am not a fan of cliffhangers but I have to admit there are a few times where they do work well and this episode is definitely one of those cases. "Rule Fifty-One" was a fitting way to end the season but it could have been better. The high points are gripping suspense and great performances. However, there were a few problems which prevent me from giving it a higher score than other have. How exactly did Gibbs escape from the cartel people? First he is threatened by Paloma and suddenly he is released. The character of Paloma is frightening. And the cliffhanger ending the best part here. See you in season eight!moreless
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Sometimes you're wrong...(possible spoilers)

8.0

By Cindyiskool, Mar 26, 2011

I had high expectations for this episode. Like, really high since I always have high expectations for NCIS. But sometimes...you're wrong. What I'm trying to say is that this episode fell short of my expectations. It just seemed like a normal case. A normal episode. Not a finale. I expected something...bigger. And what was Gibbs' shocking descision? There was no shocking descision. At least I didn't see one. There was just way too much hype. The little blurb made it seem so exciting and shocking! But when I saw it, nothing. No GASP (except maybe at the very end).

So Gibbs goes to Mexico and there's something about the cartel and how the lady was going to kill everyone Gibbs has met. Then there was a bit of secrecy and some *Super-Gibbs!*. We find out that Alejandro is working with the cartel (which I suspected all along for the record). There's more secrecy and a heated argument with Vance. Then Team NCIS sets out to search for Deans (I think that's his name) and he get's away (or was he killed?). We find out Mike's still alive and the episode ends with a cliffhanger.

To me, this episode was forgettable (I barely remember it now). It was kind of boring and I found myself flipping to American Idol every so often. The one thing that kept this episode from getting a 7 or worse is the very end. With Rule #51. That was phenomenal! That one scene was better than the whole episode! I mean, WOW! Rule #51 was...deep. Moving. Emotional. It was a beautiful portrayal of the different side of Gibbs. The one we all love to see every once in an while! Also, the very last scene was pretty intense. When she goes after Gibbs Sr. That was pretty epic.

Anyway, I think NCIS could've done a lot better than this season finale. It was boring, forgettable and it really didn't live up to NCIS. I'm still looking forward to next season though, I really hope it'll be a lot better.moreless
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Very diappointing show for a season finale.

4.5

By mommab753, Mar 26, 2011

I had really expected someting entirely different than what happened in this show. I expecterd more answers from past episodes instead just got more questions. It started out on a good note then became very confusing and disjointed. Example; Gibbs is staring down the barrell of a gun then next he is behind the opening doors a C130. You are given no idea of how he got away from the cartel people. I feel there are way too many questions from this espisode. One, How ould Colonel Bell be shot with Gibbs gun? Very few things are explained. The flow of the show is off. Gibbs was too humanized in this script. No Super Gibbs or know all personna. He seems unsure in his choices. The show ends with Gibbs in a room looking over past memories, Ziva becoming a citizen, Tony in Mexico with Franks, and Jackson Gibbs possibly being killed by the Cartel woman. I hope with all these unanswered questions and events next season is better than this last episode. It was just an episodes without any ends. Maybe it was meant to be that way but it just seemed to disjointed and confusing to follow. This has been the least favorite episode I have seen.moreless
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SPOILER ALERT: They better leave Jackson Gibbs alone if they know what is good for them!

9.5

By Susan1961, Jan 26, 2011

Time to bring the brother & sister duo down!! Let Mike Franks take down the brother and then (HOPEFULLY) Jethro or Tony are there to take out the sister! AFter Tony left Franks he could have rushed over there to guard Jackson! Better yet, ZIVA, after her swearing in ceremony...she makes that her first kill as an American! Saving another Gibbs! That'd be the best ending to that part of the story! They really do need to get those two out of the way and hope for the best with the rest of the cartel in Mexico. Maybe they'd be happy the two were dead and they'd leave Gibbs alone for doing them the "favor" without the cartel getting their hands dirty! Should be a good first episode...as long as Jackson Gibbs is still alive at the end of the episode!moreless
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My desire is that Gibbs (or another agent) is behind Gibbs' father and they take down the drug queen and later her brother is brought down since he 'looks the other way' as she continues killing and selling drugs.moreless

10

By bms29bms, Sep 15, 2010

As always, you don't want to miss anything. Exciting and spell-bounding.

- I, eagerly but disappointingly, will wait until the Fall. Disappointingly because I have to wait!

- I look forward to watching NCIS this Fall. - For those who have not watched NCIS - this show is never wrong. - Even when Kate was killed in the line of duty, her replacement, Ziva, is just as good or better. Everyone looks good together & works well together. - Great acting & great producingr & great writers.

- Is great that a TV show can continue doing so well even when new actors are included.

- A series noone should miss!moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

EDIT

Mark Harmon	Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs
Michael Weatherly	Special Agent Tony DiNozzo
Pauley Perrette	Forensics Specialist Abby Sciuto
David McCallum	Chief M.E. Ducky Mallard
Sean Murray (I)	Special Agent Tim McGee
Cote de Pablo	Special Agent Ziva David

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

EDIT

Dylan Bruno	Jason Paul Dean	Guest Star
Jacqueline Obradors	Paloma Reynosa	Guest Star
Ariel Llinas	Federale #1	Guest Star
Brian Dietzen	Asst. M.E. Jimmy Palmer	Recurring Role
Darby Stanchfield	Shannon Gibbs	Recurring Role
Muse Watson	Mike Franks	Recurring Role

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Episode Photos

Gibbs (Mark Harmon) heads to Mexico wher...

© 2010 CBS Corporation
Gibbs (Mark Harmon) heads to Mexico wher...

© 2010 CBS Corporation
Gibbs (Mark Harmon) heads to Mexico to f...

© 2010 CBS Corporation
Gibbs (Mark Harmon with Rocky Carroll) m...

© 2010 CBS Corporation

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (4)
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- Gibbs' Rule #27: There are two ways to follow someone:
  -First way, they never notice you.
  -Second way, they only notice you.
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- Gibbs' Rule #13: Never ever involve a lawyer.
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- Gibbs' Rule #44: First things first. Hide the women and children.
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- Gibbs' Rule #51: Sometimes - You're wrong.
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QUOTES (4)
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- (Tony and Ziva are about to take the elevator down. Abby slides in right before the door closes.)
  Abby: You guys are going to Mexico. What's the plan?
  Tony: What do you know Abbs?
  (Abby barely hesitates before shutting the elevator off and turning back to Tony)
  Abby: Gibbs mentioned Rule 40.
  Tony: "If you think someone's out to get you, they are"?
  (Abby nods)
  Ziva: I have never heard a rule in the forties.
  Tony: They don't come up very often.
  Abby: And that's a good thing.
  Ziva: How many times have I told Gibbs to write these things down?!
  Tony: You don't have to, they're for daily use- most of them, but the forties--
  Abby: The forties, the forties are for emergency use only.
  Tony: If the forties are in play, something unspeakably bad is going down.
  Ziva: We have to get him back.
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- Gibbs: I've seen enemies with vendettas, Leon. Seen people lose their lives to them. People that matter.
  Director Vance: Worst enemies are the ones that hide in plain sight. The ones we can't arrest.
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- Gibbs: I've killed men and women in combat, in the line, and in life, and some of them still haunt me. (about Pedro Hernandez) But I never lost a night's sleep over your father. You want to know what it feels like to be the hand of justice? Then pull the damn trigger yourself and find out. Go on.
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- Tony: This can't be happening. It cannot be happening. How could they let you in?
  Ziva: I passed the exams. I will officially become a citizen of the United States of America.
  Tony: I've never been more disappointed in my government.
  Ziva: Hey! That is my government now.
  Tony: Not till Friday.
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NOTES (2)
ADD NOTES
- TRIVIA: Season 7 is the first season since Season 4 to not end with anyone leaving the team for an extended time. This is also the first season finale, after two consecutive season finales, to not end with Ziva leaving or gone. Finally, this is the first time no one leaves while NCIS is under Director Vance's leadership.
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- Original International Airdates:
  Canada: May 25, 2010 on Global
  United Kingdom: June 11, 2010 on FX
  Australia: June 15, on Channel Ten
  Germany: October 31, 2010 on SAT 1
  Sweden: November 9, 2010 on TV3
  Norway: November 30, 2010 on TV3
  New Zealand: December 5, 2010 on TV3
  Spain: December 17, 2010 on LaSexta
  Finland: February 22, 2011 on Nelonen
  Czech Republic: May 2, 2011 on TV Nova
  Slovakia: July 21, 2011 on Markiza
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ALLUSIONS (2)
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- While the original NCIS has been referenced in NCIS: Los Angeles many times, this is the first time NCIS: Los Angeles has been referenced in NCIS (not counting the pilots, which premiered before NCIS: Los Angeles), in the form of Vance talking about his work with the LA office and specifically mentioning Hetty.
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- Nearly every exchange between Vance and Gibbs references Casablanca. According to Vance, Gibbs is Rick and Vance is Louis (a role he is apparently tired of). At one point, there is a moment between Vance and Gibbs very similar to Rick's nod to the band, giving them the go-ahead to play the Marseille. In fact, Vance even starts to hum this as they walk off camera.
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