NCIS
monition ! Spoilers ahead for NCIS time of year 21 , sequence 2 .
Summary
TheNCISseason 21 Ducky Mallard tribute sequence did n’t feature Mark Harmon , but Leroy Jethro Gibbs did have an participation . David McCallum played the original aesculapian examiner in the long - running adjective . have sex for having a riches of knowledge on top of his first-class abilities as NCIS ' make ME . Over fourth dimension , however , Ducky ’s role in the show was fall for cater to McCallum ’s years and personal request . He want to expend more clip with his syndicate , soNCISgave him an as significant but less tax role as the administration ’s historian .
Ducky ’s last function maintain him as a primary character in the series without push him to be on the bent for long days . He was thelast original character reference inNCIS , with his former carbon monoxide gas - stars , Harmon , Michael Weatherly , Sasha Alexander , and Pauly Perrette leaving the show in the eld prior . With McCallum dying in 2023,NCISdecides to broadcast off its beloved fictitious character with an excited tribute episode . In " The Stories We Leave Behind , " the team clear Ducky ’s last typesetter’s case . While the circumstances could have been good , it ’s also the perfect time for Harmon ’s return as Gibbs .
Mark Harmon ’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs has been strike out for a couple of years now , and yet , his biggest unresolved case continues to hamper NCIS season 21 .
Mark Harmon Didn’t Appear In The NCIS Ducky Episode Tribute
Sadly, the former NCIS boss doesn’t come back to Washington
Despite theories , Harmon did n’t appear as Gibbs in theNCISseason 21 Ducky tribute episode . or else , the outing is focused on solving the aesculapian examiner - turned - NCIS historiographer ’s final pursuance to remove the name of a man who is being used in a propaganda drive by a high - ranking player in Washington . The junket has Agent Parker ’s team go through Ducky ’s files to understand the specific of the case since their focus is on fulfilling Dr. Mallard ’s terminal endeavor . Doing this set aside them to reminisce on their prison term with him .
NCIS Season 21 Gibbs Cameo Explained
NCIS season 21, episode 2 features a special Gibbs and Ducky moment
Josiah Willard Gibbs may not have appear in theNCISDucky protection , but it does n’t mean that the season 21 instalment is destitute of any kind of presence from him . The CBS show integrate him via a flashback succession that involve the two long - time friends . The setting starts with the squad sift through Ducky ’s journal over the year when Jessica Knight find an entry where he discusses his grudge about Gibbs not informing him of his family , let alone their slaying , despite being friends for decades . For context , Gibbs ' first wife , Shannon , and Kelly were mangle on stem by a drug lord .
Eventually , the scene cuts to a flashback of the pair ’s conversation about the matter inNCISseason 4 , episode 10 , " smoke . " After Gibbs ' near - death experience that unveiled what had fall out to his family , he briefly quit the forcefulness and proceed to Mexico to spend time with his wise man , Mike Franks . finally , he render , but Ducky took offense at his deliberate move to hide fact about him despite their long - standing friendship . They patched things up , with Gibbs apologizing .
Why Mark Harmon Didn’t Return As Gibbs In Ducky’s NCIS Tribute Episode
Harmon will return to NCIS, albeit in the future
For what it ’s worth , Harmon has claimed that nobody has reached out to him for a likely proceeds . Gibbs exited inNCISseason 19when he decided to retire in Alaska after a case bring him there . Already in raging body of water with the FBI , he choose to walk away from the task to which he devoted himself for decades . Before leaving , he did have a final interaction with Ducky , which was somehow a great farewell between ally .
Mark Harmon ’s upcoming NCIS spinoff prequel on CBS tackling Leroy Jethro Gibbs ' origins taradiddle has one big problem when it comes to casting .
The good news is thatHarmon is already sustain to make his return to theNCISuniverse with the brand fresh spinoff — NCIS : Origins , which will take on Gibbs ' early days in the organization . The serial will be put in the early ' ninety , which means that he and Ducky are already friends around this time . So while he did n’t come down to the DMV for his booster ’s final tribute , the dyad can still be reunite on the CRT screen via the newNCISprequel .
Custom Image by Sam MacLennan
In any case , not bringing in Harmon is somehow made up byWeatherly ’s unexpected return as DiNozzo . TheNCISepisode did n’t admit any clues about the player being demand in the special , although he released a statement on the blackguard of McCallum ’s death last twelvemonth . Ideally , a reunification between Gibbs and DiNozzo would have been better , considering that they have n’t share the screen since Weatherly left the serial . That being said , the " Very Special Agent ’s " reappearance is well than no cameo , and it also inchesNCIScloser to him coming face - to - face with his old Bos .
NCISseason 21 strain new episode every Monday , 9 pm ET on CBS .
NCIS is a TV serial that travel along a team of extra agent from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service . Premiering in 2003 , the show explores various cases involve Navy and Marine Corps personnel , straddle from murder and espionage to act of terrorism and stolen submarines .
Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs and David McCallum as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in NCIS.
Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs and David McCallum as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in NCIS.
