NCIS is off next week after last night's episode, but when it returns in November, it will do so with a vengeance in time for fall sweeps, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Around the middle of next month, a main character is going to have a nasty, potentially lethal run-in with a deadly weapon - a development that opens many other doors.

“The shocking shooting opens a door to the past,” executive producer Shane Brennan says, “[and] explains a relationship which has kept fans guessing for several seasons.”

How will NCIS Director Vance (Rocky Carroll) be involved in this story line?

The NCIS team member in question is either Tony, McGee, Vance or Ziva. It's one of those four, meaning Ducky, Abby and Gibbs are off the hook. But the rest is a mystery.

Who gets shot is very much unclear, but it's very likely that Vance and Eli David are heavily involved in the story line. Beyond that, your guesses are as good as ours.

On November 9, Robert Wagner returns as Tony Sr. The shooting (and its aftermath) serves as the centerpiece of a special two-part episode airing November 16-23.

UPDATE #1: We used "team member" in the same sense as "cast member," not meaning to imply that it isn't Vance (though it may not be). Apologies for the confusion.

UPDATE #2: As per Entertainment Weekly October 28, McGee is NOT the victim. That leaves Tony, Vance, and Ziva in the running. Also this is not a traditional shooting.

The person will be wounded not by a gun, but by an explosive weapon.

Sound off with your NCIS theories and comments below!

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.