NCIS- Gibbs' Rules

[donutsweeper]

Rule #1: Never let suspects stay together. (Ep 101 "Yankee White") (Confirmed as #1 in Ep 811 "Ships in the Night" although the fact there were two #1s was mentioned)

Rule #1: Never screw over your partner. (Ep 414 "Blowback") (Confirmed by McGee as #1 in Ep 917 "Need to Know")

Rule #2: Always wear gloves at a crime scene. (Ep 101 "Yankee White")

Rule #3: Don't believe what you're told. Double check. (Ep 101 "Yankee White")(Confirmed as #3 in Ep 901 "Nature of the Beast")

Rule #3: Never be unreachable. (Ep 313 "Deception")

Rule #4: The best way to keep a secret? Keep it to yourself. Second best? Tell one other person - if you must. There is no third best. (Ep 414 "Blowback")

Rule #5 You don't waste good (Ep 822 "Baltimore" and Ep 901 "Nature of the Beast")

Rule #6: Never say you're sorry (Ep 711 "Flesh and Bone" also mentioned, but without a number, in Ep 313 "Deception" also said in Ep 902 "Restless")

Rule #7: Always be specific when you lie. (Ep 123 "Reveille")

Rule #8: Never take anything for granted. (Ep 310 "Probie") Mentioned in Ep 921 "Rekindled", but as never assume? (also in Ep 1012 "Shiva")

Rule #9: Never go anywhere without a knife. (Ep 113 "One Shot, One Kill" and Ep 120 "Missing")

Rule #10: Never get personally involved in a case (Ep 721 "Obsession") (Confirmed by McGee as #10 in Ep 917 "Need to Know") "Never get involved personally on (in?) a case"

Rule #11: When the job is done, walk away. (Ep 624 "Semper Fidelis")

Rule #12: Never date a coworker. (Ep 115 "Enigma")

Rule #13- Never ever involve lawyers, things are bound to turn nasty. (Ep 607 Collateral Damage)

Rule #15: Always work as a team. (Ep 505 "Leap of Faith")

Rule #16: If someone thinks they have the upper hand, break it (Ep 824 "Pyramid")

Rule #18: It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission. (Ep 304 "Silver War", also Ep 711 "Ignition")

Rule #22: Never, ever bother Gibbs in interrogation. (Ep 410 "Smoked", also mentioned in Ep 919 "The Good Son")

Rule #23: Never mess with a Marine's coffee if you want to live. (Ep 209 "Forced Entry")

Rule #27: (When following a suspect) There are two ways. First way they never notice you, second way is they always notice you. (Ep 715 "Jack Knife")

Rule #35: Always watch the watchers (Ep 822 "Baltimore")

Rule #36: If you feel like you're being played you probably are. (Ep 901 "Nature of the Beast")

Rule #38: Your Case, Your Lead (Ep 616 "Bounce" and Ep 10.03 "Phoenix")

Rule #40: If it seems like someone is out to get you, they are. (Ep 722 "Borderland" and Ep 724 "Rule 51")

Rule #42: Never accept an apology from someone who's just sucker punched you. (Ep 916 - "Psych Out")

Rule #44: First things first, hide the women and children (Ep 724 "Rule 51")

Rule #45- sort of- Gibbs said he would be cleaning up the mess he made and Tony leans over and whispers to Ziva "That's rule 45. Sort of (Ep 724 "Rule 51")

Rule #51: Sometimes- You're wrong (Ep 724 "Rule 51")

Rule #69: Never trust a woman who doesn't trust her man. (Ep 907 "Devil's Triangle")

---

Mentioned as rules, but with no number given
-'no eating in autopsy.' (Tony mentions to McGee after correcting himself that it isn't 'no eating in the truck' as he first claimed)

eta- see the comments for a vid someone put together about many of Gibbs' rules.

eta- According to Tony in "Collateral Damage" seven of Gibbs' rules involve lawyers, but #13 is the most important one.

eta- apparently all of the rules in the 40s are the serious/bad ones.

Final eta- I stopped watching NCIS early in S10 so if there have been any rules given or changed since then this list won't include them unless someone comments/messages me with them.

Comments

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

I can't expand on those from the lists I've got *g*

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I wonder if I should post a link to this on one of the ncis comms.

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

Go for it!

navy_ncis seems to generate quite a bit of interest/posting.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

thanks. I don't keep an eye out for that sort of thing.

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

You're welcome.

[xanthe.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'll bookmark *g*. But really - perhaps you should email it to the show's writers judging by the doubling up *ggg*. makes me wonder if Gibbs doesn't just make it all up as he goes along....!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Sadly, I really don't think it occurs to the writers to keep track of this sort of thing. Although, you may have a point about Gibbs just coming up with them as he sees fit.

[snufflesdbear.livejournal.com]

I really do think it's something Gibb's comes up with as he goes along. And the Scooby Gang has enough common sense not to tell him he's repeating himself/doubling up.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Although, sometimes they obviously DO know it (like when #38 came up in Bounce)

[singer-s-lament.livejournal.com]

IIRC, in flashbacks Mike gives Gibbs the two duplicate rules.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Really? I missed that. Although, to be honest, my attention tends to wander when Franks in on screen

[cyad.livejournal.com]

rule 14: Never screw your partner over.
To which Jenny (in 3 X 01 I think) replies "I never screwed you over Jethro. And I'm not your partner anymore. I'm your *boss*.

Funny, I keep a list of those rules, too and update each time one slips out on the show. How crazize can I get? *g*

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I kept trying to keep lists, but they wound up as scattered notes that would randomly get lost.

I can't find the exact quote for #14. It's not in 3x01 or 02 or 03.

[cyad.livejournal.com]

I see the scene but can't remember episode's name. I'm reptty sure it's season 3, but maybe I heard it wrong. Or misunderstood the number. I was pretty damn sure I heard "14", though.

Looked it up on the Gibbs rules side and, seems the one I had in mind is another #1 (http://cbsncis.wetpaint.com/page/The+Rules) so... Now I'm confused.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

It's not like the writers are making it easy for us. *sighs*

[cyad.livejournal.com]

Gotta agree with that. I knew about Tony and Abby's rules but... the Gibsb rules are the sneakier ones. :p

[nicis-anatomy.livejournal.com]

No, this was season 4:

4.14 "BLOWBACK"
SHEPARD: ... Best way to keep a secret, keep it to yourself. Second best, tell one other person if you must. There is no third best. That’s rule number four, isn’t it?
GIBBS: Number one supersedes all of the others.
SHEPARD: Mm, never screw your partner?
GIBBS: Never screw over your partner.
SHEPARD: I never screwed you over. And I’m not your partner. I’m your boss.

If you didn't know ... there is this video on youtube with all rules (expect for the new ones we learnt about in season 6):

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, so is never screw over your partner a rule or not? If we assume the keeping secret part is #4.

I knew about the video, but since it didn't give the episodes I didn't mention it. I'll add it in as an eta.

[nicis-anatomy.livejournal.com]

I think it is a rule, but one without a number.
Gibbs talks about rule #1, and Jenny assumes he's talking about the "Never screw ..." rule. And since she was his partner and knows all about his rules, I believe this one is actually existing - but without a number (on the show) ...
But maybe it's just me and my poor english ;)

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I think I agree, I'll add it in as a not numbered rule

[cyad.livejournal.com]

No wonder I couldn't find it back in season 3. ;p

And didn't know about that vid but, sure comes in handy. thx for pointing me to it. :)

[snufflesdbear.livejournal.com]

I'll post a link to here on my MCIS slash list. Okay?

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

perfectly fine! :)

[chatona.livejournal.com]

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Yep, I knew that, but it was made awhile ago and doesn't list the episodes either. But it's a neat video!

[chatona.livejournal.com]

I thought it fitted this post very nicely ♥

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Yep! And it's a good reference. Kudos to whoever put it together!

[chatona.livejournal.com]

Yup! Someone went through a lot of trouble putting this vid together and it really looks awesome.

[xxstephyyyxx.livejournal.com]

It was ncismelanie on youtube. She makes pretty good videos.

[priscillaf.livejournal.com]

My favorite fanvid ever

[chatona.livejournal.com]

That is an awesome icon.

The vid is pretty awesome too, though, you're right :D

[priscillaf.livejournal.com]

Oh thank you. It's one of my favorite pics of the jonas brothers. I just took Nicholas out.

[chatona.livejournal.com]

..You won't kill me if I say that I have no idea who the jones brothers are, right?

[priscillaf.livejournal.com]

Of course not.
It just means your not a 12 year old girl.

Or an 18 yr old girl that enjoys watching Disney. -hides face-

[chatona.livejournal.com]

I can quite definitely say that I am neither of those. ... And it really depends on the Disney movie *grins*

[dhae_knight_1]

Brilliant! *bookmarks for further reference*

Personally, I handwave numbers 1-3 from the Yankee White with a "oh, that's not the real number... just the ones Kate needed to know, in the order she needed to know them, during that case."

Makes my life so much simpler. ;-)

Also... kinda makes sense with the whole #3/#8 double-up. Kinda. The way the NCIS timeline makes sense if you hang upside down from the ceiling and look at it in a mirror. :-D

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

The way the NCIS timeline makes sense if you hang upside down from the ceiling and look at it in a mirror.

and look at it through 3-D glasses when drunk.... *giggles* NCIS writers. Gotta love them.

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

HEE! I has the list of rules again - I can't find my old bookmarked version...

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

There are a lot of lists of his rules online, but I wanted to have the episode listed as well, especially since some of the rules contradict.

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

Yes, the one I had originally had them listed with the contradictions which is why I liked it. OH and hey! Hubby and I discovered that one of our cable channels is airing the first season again, neither of us have seen all of them so I have to remember to check whether they are doing that on a daily basis or a weekly one.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I like S1. Tony's much more competent than he has been sen as recently. AND he wears that shoulder holster. YUM. (Why, yes I am shallow, why do you ask?)

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

Nothing shallow about weaponry. Believe me!

Hmmm maybe I should shuffle my user icons around a bit...

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Isn't the shoulder holster just SO much more *guh* than just clipping the gun to the belt like they do now?

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

Shoulder holsters are just *sexier* all around - more intimate somehow - or uh- maybe it's just the strapping and the buckles...

Okay Season 1 is airing on FX week days as far as I can tell

AND
Season 6 starts over here TONIGHT at 9pm on the same channel.

Confused? I will be...

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

and, apparently speaking like Yoda.

Speaking of NCIS, I've had "Widening Gyre" on the brain for a bit. I may have to attempt another story set in that verse.

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

I look forward to it - if you need me just holler!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

If anything comes of it I shall!

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

YAY!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

hmm, I like this JFK quote "We must use time as a tool, not as a crutch." My bigbang is about timeline issues and cockups and fixing/breaking/resetting it.

I like the idea of sometime time related or relying on an unsteady support as a title.

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

I get the feeling you got bored.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Actually I spent all that time in research for one line for a drabble. First I thought it would be easy to find, but NOPE. And it's a good reference to have

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

Wow. I applaud you.

And it probably is a good thing to have for future reference.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

If only the writers were so diligent...

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

If only.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

It's starting to get annoying how many conflicting facts they've presented. *sigh*

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

And I'm sure it's just going to get worse as the seasons go on, because there's more history for them to ignore.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

And they'll have two shows to mess up too. *headdesk*

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

I know. The horror.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Even the set up of "Legends" is dumb, yet another mysterious piece of Gibbs' past. *yawn*

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

We should totally go write for them.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

we definitely couldn't do worse.

[the-dark-side.livejournal.com]

Definitely.

[debc.livejournal.com]

Awesome! I was just looking for a list of the Rules. Thank you so much for posting these!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Hope you find them useful!

[debc.livejournal.com]

Well, I was thinking about fic ideas, actually and maybe a series of shortfics to go with each rule... though, I suppose that's been done to death? *g*

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I don't think they have. I say go for it!

[debc.livejournal.com]

Awesome! If/when I do, I'll be sure and credit/link to your list here. :-)

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Oh no worries on that, I just look forward to reading it!

[little-ozzo.livejournal.com]

Just used these for reference, thank you very much, they're so useful! :-)

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Yay! Glad they're helpful! ;)

[midnightmurdina.livejournal.com]

i've only just started watching NCIS
cheers for the list, now i know what their going on about

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Glad the list is useful, now if only NCIS would keep track of the rules themselves and not repeat any more numbers!

[musicofyourname.livejournal.com]

I'm waiting for rule #51...

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

*hee* yes, Gibbs having to make up a new rule will be interesting!

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

We finally got a new episode!!!!! *falls over*

[xcpb.livejournal.com]

Actually, the rule you listed as #24 is really rule #44. In "Patriot Down" Gibbs left a message for Mike Franks with the bartender. "Tell him rule 44".

Tony said that all the 40-rules are bad in "Rule 51"