How was Delilah paralyzed in NCIS? Details explored in depth

Delilah Fielding is one of the key characters in the well-known television drama NCIS, played by Margo Harshman. Delilah makes her entrance as a Department of Defense (DoD) analyst, providing something new to the show with her skills.

Much of Delilah's role is to assist the NCIS team in numerous cases by using her knowledge in intelligence analysis. She is honored in the NCIS episode "Kill Chain", which originally aired on January 7, 2014.

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The incident at the Gala in NCIS season 11

In NCIS Season 11, Episode 12, which is "Kill Chain," Delilah is being honored at a gala for her efforts in counter-terrorism. But the party is hijacked by terrorists organized by Benham Parsa. The blast creates mayhem and destruction, leaving Delilah severely hurt.

She has a spinal injury caused by shrapnel that eventually results in her paralysis from the waist down. During the explosion, she is subjected to emergency surgery as her boyfriend McGee struggles with the emotional consequences of her injuries. This turning point not only alters Delilah's life but also greatly affects McGee's character progression.

He grapples with his helplessness and desire to protect Delilah while confronting his fears regarding her future. This emotional burden provides the backdrop for future episodes in which both characters come to terms with their new reality.

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The inspiration behind Delilah's storyline in NCIS

The choice to make Delilah paralyzed was inspired by what happened in real life with the Boston Marathon bombing. Executive producer Gary Glasberg said he wanted to show resilience and recovery after trauma through Delilah's character. He said he was inspired by a segment on the Today show of women who survived the bombing and were trying to rebuild their lives.

Glasberg wanted to capture this attitude of resilience on NCIS, demonstrating how a person who was trained in government could be confronted with such a horrific situation and somehow manage to survive. In the interviews, Glasberg highlighted that Delilah's experience would not only entail physical struggles but also psychological ones as she learns to deal with her disability.

This is a narrative decision that makes NCIS richer and enables audiences to see how Delilah adjusts to living in a wheelchair while still pursuing her professional and personal goals.

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Delilah's character development

Once she recovers from the injury, Delilah's character changes extensively throughout the show. She becomes a tough, capable woman who faces her new reality head-on in later seasons. Her interactions with McGee are the linchpin in this character change; he picks up on what it means to be supportive and not over-protective.

This gives each character the possibility of development while they deal with adversity together. Delilah's narrative comes home to many of its viewers, especially those who can relate to having experienced their own life-changing circumstances.

It not only portrays the hardships of disability, but it also brings forth themes of love, strength, and self-improvement. With able-bodied actress Margo Harshman playing Delilah, her character is an integral representation of people who live with disabilities.

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For viewers interested in watching this episode, it is available on various streaming platforms such as Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. These services offer a wide range of the show's episodes, including Season 11.