On the NCIS episode “Third Wheel”, Gibbs (Mark Harmon) tries to sneak in a little R&R at his cabin in the woods but he’s interrupted by two surprise visitors. His old buddy Tobias Fornell (Joe Spano) shows up because his house is being fumigated. And then Navy Captain Phillip Brooks walks in. Tobias and Phil have never met before and they’re surprised Gibbs has “two best friends.” Note: Last time we saw Brooks was at his own funeral in May. Brooks was supposedly lost at sea but after the memorial service, at Brooks’ home, Gibbs found Brooks hiding in a fallout shelter in the basement. (Brooks’ boat was attacked and he swam to shore.) Now Brooks reports that he’s going through a divorce and needs a place to crash because his new apartment is ready yet.
Phil Brooks is portrayed by Don Lake. The Canadian-born Second City theater group member is known for his roles in the Christopher Guest movies including A Mighty Wind (Elliott Steinbloom) and Best in Show (Graham Chissolm), and in Downsizing (Leisureland Guide Matt), Terminator 2 (Mossberg), Dumb and Dumber Too (Dr. Meldmann), and Police Academy (Mr. Wig), among others. Lake was also a writer on the brilliantly funny sitcom The Bonnie Hunt Show (2008-2010). NCIS airs Mondays at 8 pm on CBS, right before the new crime drama FBI.
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