NCIS is usually really close to real time. In Jetlag, Tony and Ziva's flight was even the day the episode aired.

With the way they left it I don't really see how they could move ahead a few months without leaving out pertinent info. However, as long as they at least did the whole 4 month thing like they did in ToC it could work.

I want it to. I want the team to come swooping in and save Jackson! But knowing my luck it'll skip a few months and we'll just get some flashbacks or something. I just hope nothing happens to Jackson cause Gibbs will be a wreck if it does!

Like in season 5

I see them only going one route....they leave off where they began and we see the team get the call about Gibbs dad while they try to locate him. I'm guessing that Abby would get the call as a back up emergency number or the police in Jackson's town calls Gibbs desk and someone answer's it. Or Gibbs is hiding out in the store and will take that cartel chick out with one shot just like her father.

Well we have to see what happens to Gibbs' dad! Unless it does a timejump then flashbacks... but I doubt that.