NCIS often refers to other Bellisario shows, but this episode seems inspired by the final episode of Quantum Leap, right down to the diner and people gathering from Gibbs life. Even the line, will I get to go home could be an echo of Sam Beckett in his plea. As it's starting point it uses the life flashing before your eyes premise as Gibbs confronts potential death when he is shot at. His mentor makes an appearance, think bar tender to Sam in QL so that is Mike and Gibbs here. From there we travel 3 worlds, the one in which Gibbs is suspended, the one that shows and ongoing investigation and the one that might have been had Gibbs not made the decisions he did. Incidentally for a series that has lasted so long there are instances of out of sync backstories, particularly those around Gibbs, Ducky and Shannon. I fondly blame Sam Beckett for these as his leaps changed history as both series says. Ripples that do more than just affect those immediately concerned.
Review of Life Before His Eyes
