Warning! Spoilers for NCIS Season 21 Episode 2.
Summary
- No Mark Harmon in the Ducky tribute episode, but Gibbs' role is addressed in an emotional flashback.
- Ducky transforms from ME to a historian, ending the era as the last original NCIS character.
- Despite Harmon's absence, NCIS honors Ducky's legacy with an emotional finale and the return of Michael Weatherly's DiNozzo.
The NCIS The Season 21 Ducky Mallard tribute episode did not feature Mark Harmon, but Leroy Jethro Gibbs was involved. David McCallum played the original coroner in the lengthy trial. Known for his extensive knowledge in addition to his excellent skills as an established NCIS forensic pathologist. However, over time, Ducky's role in the series was reduced to accommodate McCallum's age and personal desires. He wanted to spend more time with his family, so NCIS gave him an equally important but less demanding role as the organization's historian.
Ducky's final role kept him as the main character in the series without requiring him to spend days on set. He was the last original character on NCIS; his former co-stars Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Sasha Alexander and Pauly Perrette left the series in previous years. With McCallum dying in 2023, NCIS decides to send off his beloved character with an emotional tribute episode. In “The Stories We Leave Behind,” the team solves Ducky's final case. While the circumstances could have been better, it's also the perfect time for Harmon's return as Gibbs.
Related Topics Gibbs' Biggest Unsolved Conspiracy Continues to Stagnant on NCIS 2 Years After Exit Mark Harmon's Leroy Jethro Gibbs has been retired for a few years now, and yet his biggest unsolved case continues to hamper NCIS Season 21.Mark Harmon did not appear in the NCIS Ducky Episode Tribute
Unfortunately, the former NCIS boss isn't coming back to Washington.
Despite theories, Harmon did not appear as Gibbs in the NCIS season 21 Ducky tribute episode. Instead, the excursion focuses on solving the medical examiner and NCIS historian's final task of clearing the name of a man being used in a propaganda campaign by a high-ranking player in Washington. On the trip, Agent Parker's team goes through Ducky's files to understand the details of the case as their focus is on fulfilling Dr. Mallard's final project lies. This way they can remember their time with him.
NCIS Season 21 Gibbs Cameo Explained
NCIS season 21 features a special moment with Gibbs and Ducky in episode 2.
Gibbs may not have appeared in the NCIS Ducky tribute, but that doesn't mean he won't be present in the season 21 episode in any way. The CBS show includes him via a flashback involving the two longtime friends. The scene begins with the team combing through Ducky's diaries over the year, when Jessica Knight discovers an entry in which he discusses his resentment over Gibbs not informing him about his family, let alone their murder, despite decades was friends with him. For comparison, Gibbs' first wife, Shannon, and Kelly were murdered on base by a drug lord.
Finally, the scene flashes back to the couple's conversation about the affair in NCIS Season 4, Episode 10, “Smoked.” After Gibbs' near-death experience, which revealed what had happened to his family, he briefly left the police force and moved to Mexico to spend time with his mentor Mike Franks. He eventually returned, but Ducky resented his conscious attempt to hide facts about him despite their long-standing friendship. They fixed everything and Gibbs apologized.
Why Mark Harmon didn't return as Gibbs in Ducky's NCIS tribute episode
Harmon will return to NCIS, albeit in the future.
By the way, Harmon has claimed that no one has contacted him about a possible return. Gibbs left NCIS in Season 19 when he decided to retire in Alaska after a case took him there. Having already run afoul of the FBI, he decided to leave the job he had devoted himself to for decades. Before he left, he had one last interaction with Ducky, which was kind of a great farewell between friends.
Related Gibbs' NCIS Spinoff Has a Major Mark Harmon Problem Mark Harmon's upcoming NCIS spinoff prequel on CBS, which delves into the origin story of Leroy Jethro Gibbs, has a major problem when it comes to casting.The good news is this It's already confirmed that Harmon will return to the NCIS universe with the brand new spin-off “NCIS: Origins.”, which will delve into Gibbs' early days in the organization. The series is set in the early 90s, meaning he and Ducky are already friends at this time. Even though he didn't come to the DMV to pay his respects to his friend, the couple can still be reunited on screen in the new NCIS prequel.
In any case, not including Harmon somehow makes up for it Weatherly's unexpected return as DiNozzo. The NCIS episode contained no indication that the actor was involved in the special, although he did release a statement following McCallum's death last year. Ideally, a reunion between Gibbs and DiNozzo would have been better, considering they haven't shared the screen since Weatherly left the series. That being said, the return of the Very Special Agent is better than no cameo, and it's worth inches too NCIS closer to him as he confronts his old boss.
NCIS
Season 21 airs new episodes every Monday at 9pm ET on CBS.
NCISNCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. Special Agent Alden Parker, a quirky former FBI agent who solves his cases with quiet professionalism and sharp, sarcastic charm, leads the NCIS team, which also includes NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee, an MIT graduate with a knack for computers, who has now graduated as a senior field representative; charismatic, unpredictable and resilient NCIS Special Agent Nicholas “Nick” Torres, who has spent most of his career in solo undercover operations; and sharp, athletic and tough NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight, a formidable REACT agent who specializes in hostage negotiations and high-risk operations. Joining the team is the naive Jimmy Palmer, who has risen from assistant to fully qualified coroner and now runs the mortuary; and forensic scientist Kasie Hines, Ducky's former assistant. Leading the operations is NCIS Director Leon Vance, an intelligent, highly trained agent who can always be counted on to shake up the status quo. From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, these special agents investigate all crimes with ties to the Navy or Marine Corps.
Pour Sean Murray, Wilmer Valderrama, Katrina Law, Brian Dietzen, David McCallum, Mark Harmon, Rocky Carroll, Gary Cole, Joe Spano
Release date September 23, 2003
Seasons 21