NCIS
The clause contains raider for NCIS season 21 , episode 2 , " The Stories We Leave Behind . "
Summary
New set images offer a close look at Michael Weatherly ’s return as Tony DiNozzo inNCISseason 21 . Almost a decade after the thespian left the long - carry law adjective , he returns in time to take part in sending off Ducky — the team ’s beloved aesculapian examiner - turned - historiographer . Weatherly ’s unexpected cameo come about in the final moments ofNCISseason 21 , episode 2 , " The Stories We Leave Behind , " just as Palmer adjudicate to keep his emotions in baulk before have his wise man ’s eulogy .
The officialNCISVerseInstagram account statement divvy up new images of Weatherly ’s DiNozzo cameo in Ducky’sNCISseason 21tribute episode . ascertain out the fun snap below :
The pile of ikon boast a premix of behind - the - scene sport snaps , include Dinozzo goofing around on the set with Sean Murray , and a different slant of him entering the autopsy room to see Palmer . Meanwhile , a group exposure with Murray and Brian Dietzen in the elevator evokes nostalgia for the early time of year ofNCIS .

Weatherly left as Tony DiNozzo inNCISseason 13 to take guardianship of his clandestine daughter with Cote de Pablo ’s Ziva David .
Why DiNozzo Returns In NCIS Ducky Tribute Episode & Not Gibbs
While there were ideas to boast more returning characters for Ducky ’s institutionalise - off installment , the writers of the law procedural opted to feature just one single cameo with Weatherly . Admittedly , Mark Harmon ’s absence in theNCISepisodeas Gibbs may have been sadden , specially since he was closest to Dr. Mallard . Dietzen , who co - wrote the outing , explained that DiNozzo ’s return was more for Palmer than the tardy doctor . He and DiNozzo were such close Friend , so he was the perfect person to console him amid this massive loss .
DiNozzo brings some levity to the episode . Gibbs ' appearance would have been more emotional since the storytelling would be focalise on him losing one of his longest friends . However , theNCIStribute ’s conclusion to bring in Weatherly and take advantage of his body fluid allows the show to be more of a celebration of Ducky ’s life . This idea , couple with DiNozzo ’s silly put-on , which let in an impressive impression of Dr. Mallard , give Jimmy the military strength he want to move forwards with the eulogium for his mentor .
Michael Weatherly unexpectedly return as Tony DiNozzo in NCIS season 21 and his replication means bigger and better thing than a Gibbs cameo .

For now , Weatherly ’s coming back is supposed to be a one - off . He says in theNCISepisode himself that he is just croak through . Despite that , it ’s worth noting that Weatherly has been approaching about wanting to right revisit his time as DiNozzo in the constabulary procedural . If CBS and the writer deem him needed in the dealership , it ’s good to say that he can easy return .
NCISseason 21 airs raw episode every Monday , 9 pm ET on CBS .
germ : NCISVerse / Instagram

Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs and David McCallum as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard in NCIS.
NCIS is a boob tube series that follows a team of special factor from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service . Premiering in 2003 , the show explores various cases involve Navy and Marine Corps personnel , ranging from murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines .

