"NCIS": Gibbs' Rules Quiz | NCIS

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Rule #1: In the pilot episode "Yankee White", Gibbs is imparting his knowledge to Kate Todd. Select the word that's missing from Rule #1. "Never let ______ stay together."

Answer: Suspects

While investigating a murder on Air Force One, Secret Service Agent Kate Todd is escorting Gibbs throughout the jet. After passing by the passenger compartment where the stewards and cooks are being held, Gibbs tells Kate this rule. A different Rule #1 is mentioned in season four in a dialog between Gibbs and Director Shepherd: "Never screw over your partner", with a particular emphasis on "over".

It is unclear which Rule #1 belongs to Gibbs and which one he took from his mentor, Mike Franks.

2. Rule #2: Right after telling Agent Todd Rule #1, Gibbs follows it up with Rule #2. What good advice about crime scene contamination does Gibbs tell Kate?

Answer: "Always wear gloves at a crime scene."

At first, Kate protests at having to wear the gloves, saying, "But my prints are all over this jet." She later gives in and puts them on. According to many forensic scientists, the two biggest problems for crime scene contamination are the responding emergency crews and the crime scene investigators. For this reason (and other personal hygiene reasons), Gibbs ensures he and his crew always wear gloves when investigating a crime scene.

3. Rule #6: This rule is mentioned in many episodes but people keep breaking it nonetheless. Taken from a John Wayne quote, what is it that you should never say because it's a sign of weakness?

Answer: "I'm sorry."

Rule #6 is introduced in the pilot episode "Yankee White" but isn't assigned a number until season seven (episode "Flesh & Blood", when we meet Tony's father). During the last episode of season three ("Hiatus"), when Gibbs is in a coma, Tony explains to Director Shepard that Gibbs borrowed that rule from "The Duke himself" from the movie "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" (1949).

4. Rule #9: This rule has been referenced in quite a few episodes. Can you remember the key word missing from the phrase? "Never go anywhere without a _____."

Answer: knife

The NCIS crew use their knives many times to help them with their investigations, or to get out of some pretty sticky situations. Abby has her own Rule #9 and that is, "Always have a spare."

5. Rule #13: What good piece of advice does Gibbs convey in Rule #13 that is as applicable for NCIS agents as it is for most other people? "Never, ever involve ________." What type of profession is Gibbs talking about?

Answer: lawyers

While all four of those choices may be good advice, Gibbs has an inherent dislike of lawyers. His dislike for them is only amplified when he has to work with Margaret Allison Hart, Esq., in the season seven episodes "Patriot Down" and "Rule Fifty-One".

In fact, at the end of "Rule Fifty-One", Gibbs pulls out Rule #13 from his storage box and circles it to emphasize the importance of that rule.

6. Rule #18: This rule is not only used by Gibbs and his NCIS team often, it is also prevalent throughout many of the US military branches. "It's better to seek forgiveness than _______________."

Answer: ask permission

In the US Air Force, we use this rule quite a few times, usually right before deciding to do some pretty stupid things. Of course, if the choice you make is something really stupid, then the rule could prove to be untrue, like for instance, taking an F-16 on a cross-country hop to play golf at Hilton Head.

In the episode "Flesh & Blood", Tony tells Gibbs that he had to break Rule #6 due to the issues with his father (played by Robert Wagner) interfering with the case. Gibbs responds that it's okay because he is covered by Rule #18.

7. Rule #23: One of the time-honored Gibbs rules is to "never mess with a Marine's ______ if you want to live." Fill in the blank.

Answer: coffee

Considering that Gibbs used to be Gunnery Sergeant in the US Marine Corps, this rule seems rather fitting. Similar rules are common place in the other military branches, particularly referring to specific older non-commissioned officers that have become slightly addicted to the beverage over their long career.

8. Rule #40: According to Abby, the 40s (Rules 40-49) are only used in emergencies. So using that logic, what should complete Rule #40? "If it seems someone is out to get you, _________!"

Answer: they are

During the "Rule Fifty-One" episode, Abby meets up with Tony and Ziva in the elevator and tells them that Gibbs mentioned Rule 40. Gibbs has obviously conveyed to Abby that he is in trouble in Mexico, specifically with the Reynosa cartel. Tony then adds, "If the 40s are in play, something unspeakably bad is going down."

9. Rule #44: During the last two episodes of season seven ("Patriot Down" and "Rule Fifty-One"), Gibbs uses Rule #44 when sending a message to Mike Franks in Mexico. What goes in the blank for Rule #44? "First things first, hide the ________!"

Answer: women and children

Gibbs is warning Frank that Colonel Bell is on his way to probably do harm to Franks, Amira (his granddaughter) and Leyla (Amira's mother). As it turns out, Franks has his right index finger shot off, but would later explain to Tony that he can still shoot with his thumb.

10. Rule #51: At the end of the season seven episode "Rule Fifty-One", having just returned from Mexico, Gibbs writes down Rule #51 as he reminisces about his first wife and daughter. What is Rule #51?

Answer: Sometimes you're wrong.

In "Rule Fifty-One" Gibbs has to face some very difficult decisions when he is kidnapped by a Mexican drug lord. The drug lord happens to be Paloma Reynosa, the daughter of the man who killed Gibbs' first wife and daughter. She has been killing people close to Gibbs to get him to turn informant for her cartel.

At the end of the episode, Reynosa is seen going into the general store in Stillwater, PA run by Gibbs' father, leaving a significant cliffhanger until the next season.

Source: Author evil44

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor guitargoddess before going online.
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"NCIS": Gibbs' Rules Trivia Quiz

Throughout the show, the NCIS crew keep referencing Gibbs' rules. Here's a little quiz to test your knowledge on some of these rules.

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