[s3e9] — Frame-up

: Ziva and McGee compile a "Long List" of people with grudges against Tony, ranging from criminals he arrested to ex-girlfriends like Lt. Pam Kim , who previously put his name on a "herpes alert" website.

: The episode was directed by Thomas J. Wright and written by Laurence Walsh. "NCIS" Frame Up (TV Episode 2005) - IMDb [S3E9] Frame-Up

The episode centers on a high-stakes investigation when a pair of severed female legs is discovered in a wooded area on the Marine Corps Base in Quantico. The team is horrified to find that all forensic evidence—including a bite mark matching Tony’s dental records, his fingerprints, and even fibers from his car—points directly to as the murderer. : Ziva and McGee compile a "Long List"

: The true killer is revealed to be Abby's lab assistant, Charles "Chip" Sterling . He framed Tony as revenge for Tony previously getting him fired from a medical analysis firm. The episode reaches a climax when Chip attacks Abby in her lab with a knife, but she manages to overpower and subdue him before the team arrives. Notable Production Facts Wright and written by Laurence Walsh

: Fans often cite this as a standout episode for Michael Weatherly's performance, particularly during a monologue in the holding cell.

: Distraught that her own forensic science is being used to convict her friend, Abby makes it her personal mission to find the true culprit. She works feverishly in her lab, eventually uncovering the forensic "slip-up" that reveals the frame-job.