'NCIS' episode 200 'Life Before His Eyes' preview: A different team dynamic

NCIS season 9 episode 14, "Life Before His Eyes," is the series' 200th episode, and there's a new video out showing the cast and crew behind-the-scenes of the milestone.

Season 9 episode 14 "Life Before His Eyes" sneak peek

The CBS drama is airing a big episode for the milestone 200th this week, and there's a new video up with a behind-the-scenes look and some new clips as the cast and crew talk about what's coming up and the success of the show. It begins like other previews have, with Gibbs getting his morning coffee (because really, you couldn't have the 200th episode without Gibbs' coffee) when a man with a gun interrupts him. Gibbs asks Mike Franks (Muse Watson is back!), "That's it? It's over?" and even joins Kelly and Shannon in a booth. And so the heartbreaking moments begin, as Shannon tells him they've been waiting for him.

Pauley Perrette tease that fans will be "ecstatic," while Sean Murray remembers the 100th episode ("Chimera," season 5), like it was just yesterday. A common thread is thanking the fans and appreciation, and Mark Harmon points out one of the most important things about the show: they're "still here" and "still the number one show." That's right, NCIS hasn't slowed down even in its ninth season, and they're consistently bringing in 20 million viewers each week. There's a reason for that, and if you're not tuning in yet, while this may not be the episode do begin doing so, as there will be many callbacks for the fans over the years, you really should take the time to catch some reruns and begin catching the new episodes.

Now, it's only right that this video includes a look at a few of the head slaps over the years (and the majority of them Gibbs slapping Tony). Speaking of, Michael Weatherly bows to Gibbs with a "Thank you, Boss," while Harmon calls everyone on the show—in front of and behind the cameras—"a rare group" and Cote de Pablo describes them as "a family." That's one of the reasons why this show has worked so well for so long and continues to do so well, even 200 episodes in.

Executive producer Gary Glasberg explains, "We knew we had to do something different, something special and unique." He points out there are significant moments over the years that led to where the characters are now. "What if those events unfolded differently?" One of those moments involves Ziva. What if she never joined the team because what if Ari never killed Kate? That means viewers are going to be treated to a scene of Tony with Ziva in interrogation. He remembers her, but he goes through a few guesses for her name, including "Tiva" (a nice nod to some fans), and there's even some of what you expect from their banter as she says her name with some exasperation. Meanwhile, Murray reveals, "You get to see kind of what happens if the team wasn't as close-knit as they were," as a clip shows McGee and Abby paying a bearded Gibbs a visit in his basement, followed by McGee telling Tony, "Your sincerity is disconcerting." Tony's response is, "You'd prefer I'd attack you with some kind of sarcastic, hostile remark?" He would.

There are some shocking moments coming—including Tony being handed a baby and being congratulated. It's been revealed that Tony's married in this "what if?" but apparently he's a father as well. Tony had just been wondering about balancing work and family, and it looks like he may have found a way to do it in this alternate life—but there has to be a reason why he ended up where he did. It's because he should be where he is in life. Will there be a moment that shows that? Finally, Pauley Perrette is ready to stick around for even bigger milestones such as 300 and 400 episodes if they get there. If everyone wants to do it and it continues like this, there's no reason to think it couldn't make it to another big milestone episode. After all, there is a reason it's the number one show on television and doesn't seem like it's giving up that title anytime soon.