Watch Ncis S01e (5) Apr 2026
Reviewers often highlight the balance of humor and emotional stakes in this early episode.
The episode kicks off when a hunter in a Maryland forest discovers a mummified body inside a jettisoned Navy cargo pod. The NCIS team identifies the remains as , who disappeared from the USS Eisenhower in 1994 along with $1.2 million in payroll funds. For ten years, Schilz was branded a thief and a deserter, leaving his widow, Mary, and their daughter without any military benefits.
The investigation takes a personal turn as Kate Todd becomes obsessed with clearing Schilz’s name. The trail leads to (played by Melora Hardin), a former Petty Officer living a luxury lifestyle she claims is funded by the lottery. The team eventually deduces that Toner and an accomplice, Ted Martinez, murdered Schilz, stuffed him in the pod, and used Toner's looks to distract the crew while they moved the body. Critical Review & Highlights Watch NCIS S01E (5)
: The title refers to Abby Sciuto’s belief that the mummified remains carry a curse, adding a lighthearted, eccentric layer to an otherwise grim case. Community Perspectives
: Guest star Melora Hardin is praised for "chewing all the scenery" as the manipulative, "Black Widow" villain Erin Toner. Reviewers often highlight the balance of humor and
The fifth episode of Season 1, titled " The Curse ," is widely regarded as a formative installment where the series truly began to establish its unique blend of military procedural drama and character-driven humor. Airing on October 28, 2003, it masterfully balances a cold case mystery with the developing interpersonal dynamics of the original MCRT. Plot Summary: A Ten-Year-Old Mystery
“Great episode - really let the humor fly. This was an outstanding episode in which the humor of the individual characters really started to come out.” www.imdb.com For ten years, Schilz was branded a thief
“The comedic bits did most of the work... The comedic moments are helping episodes like this that are a little weak.” www.imdb.com Production & Casting Notes