NCIS

The case initially appears to involve the murder of a petty officer, which is later revealed as a ghoulish practical joke. Yet a real fatality follows shortly thereafter, turning the farce into tragedy. The production stars Mark Harmon in the lead role.

Doppelganger is presented as a programme in the form of a single episode, classified within the episode genre. Rather than forming part of a longer series, it delivers a self‑contained narrative that unfolds within its allotted runtime. The title hints at themes of duplication or mirrored identity, setting the stage for a story that plays with perception. The core of the story centres on what initially seems to be the murder of a petty officer. As the events progress, viewers discover that the alleged killing is, in fact, a macabre practical joke designed to shock and amuse the participants. This darkly comic setup is abruptly overturned when a real death occurs shortly after the prank is revealed, turning the narrative from farce to genuine tragedy. Mark Harmon takes the starring role in this episode, anchoring the unfolding events with his performance. His involvement provides a focal point around which the unsettling blend of humour and horror revolves. Through his character, the audience is guided through the shift from the staged, ghoulish prank to the subsequent authentic fatality. The episode therefore juxtaposes a fabricated, eerie prank with an actual lethal outcome, highlighting a stark contrast between illusion and reality. This transition from a contrived, ghoulish scenario to a true death underscores the precarious line the story walks between dark comedy and genuine menace, all within the compact framework of a single episode.