Sally Richardson-Whitfield returns as attorney Carrie Clark in the next episode of "NCIS," with the events born of her appearance perhaps holding major consequences for Bishop (Emily Wickersham).

CarterMatt reports her and Jake's marital woes are front and center in the new episode, entitled "A Day in Court," leaving her pondering her next move and even considering divorce.

Meanwhile, Gibbs (Mark Harmon) continues to struggle with putting his near fatal shooting in last season's finale behind him. In the upcoming Thanksgiving themed episode, he accompanies Bishop home to Oklahoma to visit her mom and a "Saving Private Ryan" type moment ensues.

"He continues to struggle to recuperate from his shooting and he will continue to work with Dr. Taft (Jon Cryer)," said showrunner Gary Gibbs. "That will take us into next year. Then there will be some significant case-related stuff that will connect him with FBI agent Fornell [Joe Spano] and take him on an even more significant journey toward the latter half of the season."

As fate would have it, Bishop's mom isn't just any ordinary woman, with the role played by original "Bionic Woman" star Lindsay Wagner. The episode entitled "Blood Brothers" also finds the crew being passionately called on by the Secretary of the Navy to help a leukemia stricken sailor locate a bone marrow transplant after his two Marine siblings are killed in the line of duty.

According to TV Guide, the Nov. 17 episode also centers on a petty officer's desperate attempt to clear his name after a murder case is tossed out over faulty evidence handling. Seemingly convinced only the crew can clear his name, the officer even volunteers to be court-martialed in exchange for the gang's pledge to help him with the ongoing investigation.

Airing Tuesday night on CBS, "NCIS" also stars Michael Weatherly as Agent Tony DiNozzo, Pauley Perrette as Abby Sciutto and Sean Murray as Timothy McGee.