When will 'NCIS' Season 18 Episode 4 and Episode 5 air? Here's what you can expect after winter break

Based on what the showrunners have had in the past, this episode will be the McGee-Delilah episode of the season, focusing specifically on their marriage and crises related to the same so expect some drama and rough patches
UPDATED JAN 19, 2021
(CBS)
(CBS)

This week, 'NCIS' returned with more than just its usual drama to make up for the lost week spent in hiatus in between. Jethro Gibbs' old friend Tobias Fornell was back to pursue the case of the drug kingpin and the two made considerable progress in that department. But for those highly anticipating what happens next, the wait will be much longer than usual. The reason? This Episode 3 was pretty much the winter finale of Season 18. 

Following its designated winter break in the holiday season, the CBS procedural crime drama will return with a brand new episode in January 2021. This means, Season 18 Episode 4 titled 'Sun Burn' will air after almost a month on Tuesday, January 5, at 8 pm on CBS with Episode 5 coming right after at 9 pm.

The reason behind this long break is of course the designated time off television shows take every Holiday season because they know nobody is going to spend an extra minute glued to the screen, especially after the year that has been 2020. The break could also be for the series to complete filming considering they were only able to resume production very recently given the lockdown restrictions due to the pandemic.

There's also that need to stretch out a 22-24 episode season over the span of months, thus leading television shows to take random breaks or longer ones to fit into that schedule.

In Episode 4, 'Sunburn', we'll see "McGee and his wife Delilah's (Margo Harshman) Bahamian vacation turns into a high-stakes mission when a case NCIS is tracking of a dead escape room manager has ties to the island. Also, Gibbs fears the worst when his search for Fornell leads to blood."

The reason we think Harshman is returning is that Murray teased a reunion between the two, sending "greetings from the islands", but it was probably just a tropical setting for a shoot within California, thus explaining the title.

Based on what the showrunners have had in the past, this episode will be the McGee-Delilah episode of the season, focusing specifically on their marriage and crises related to the same so expect some drama and rough patches. But while there's no concrete synopsis laying around, treat yourself to the sister spinoffs 'NCIS: LA' and 'NCIS: New Orleans' which will be on through the season in full swing!

Also, the official synopsis for Episode 5 'Head of the Snake' teases about Tobias Fornell after he left to chase the drug kingpin responsible for his daughter's addiction. "Gibbs and Fornell's crusade to find the head of the drug ring responsible for Fornell's daughter Emily's overdose comes to a climax," reveals the synopsis. It adds: "Also, Gibbs and Vance finally let the team in on a case that has dangerous implications, on NCIS." A winter premiere with back to back appearances by long term recurring stars. 'NCIS' sure has quite the promising night scheduled for its fans.

'NCIS' Season 18 airs on Tuesdays at 8 pm on CBS.

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