Warning! Spoilers ahead for NCIS season 21, episode 2.
Brian Dietzen explains the decision to bring back a solo original character for Ducky’s NCIS tribute episode. The long-running police procedural says goodbye to its most veteran cast member, Dr. Mallard. In light of David McCallum’s death in 2023, the series stages an emotional tribute to the beloved medical examiner-turned-historian. Ducky remained an NCIS core cast member until his death, although his appearances were sporadical to cater to the actor’s wishes for a less taxing filming schedule.
Speaking with TV Insider, Dietzen breaks down the episode, including the unexpected NCIS season 21 return of Michael Weatherly as Tony DiNozzo. The “Very Special Agent’s” cameo happens at the very end, as he consoles the struggling Palmer to keep his emotions in check before Ducky’s funeral. Read his full quote below:
“We ended up deciding on having the character of Tony come back. It all made a lot of sense. This character, in addition to being close with Ducky, was Jimmy’s good friend, so when he comes to visit, it is to help the person who’s left behind. It’s really to be there for his friend. Getting [Michael] out here and doing all this stuff under the cover of secrecy and the dead of night sort of thing was really cool.”
Will Gibbs Still Return In NCIS Season 21 After Ducky’s Funeral?
DiNozzo’s return is celebrated, especially since it has been around a decade since Weatherly retired from his beloved role. As Dietzen pointed out, he was the perfect returning character for the moment, considering that he and Palmer were quite close during their time working together. It’s also a great way to incorporate the character after Weatherly expressed his desire to return to NCIS. Seeing him and Palmer, and subsequently, McGee, evokes nostalgia, especially as they all board the show’s iconic elevator.
That being said, there’s also partly disappointment that Gibbs didn’t return. NCIS‘ Ducky episode had an easy way to feature Gibbs. Harmon could have secretly shown up during the funeral to send off his long-time friend. It’s difficult to imagine that he wouldn’t even attempt to come home in light of Ducky’s death. The good thing is that there are still ways for Gibbs to return in NCIS season 21. The franchise’s overall 1000th episode is coming up, and it’s possible that to preserve the impact of his comeback, NCIS decided to delay his cameo for that occasion.
Did Gibbs Return For Ducky’s Funeral In NCIS Season 21? Mark Harmon’s Involvement Explained
There were theories that Mark Harmon would return for Ducky’s funeral in NCIS season 21, episode 2, but his involvement is much deeper than a cameo.
Perhaps by then, Gibbs and DiNozzo can also reunite. They were the poster characters of NCIS for a long time, and despite establishing that they have a way to contact each other, they haven’t shared the screen since Weatherly departed from the police procedural. While Ducky would already be buried, they can even celebrate his legacy with their former team then.
NCIS
NCIS (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 calm professionalism and sharp, sarcastic charm, leads the NCIS team, which includes NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee, an MIT graduate with a knack for computers who has now graduated to senior field agent; the charismatic, unpredictable and resilient NCIS Special Agent Nicholas “Nick” Torres, who has spent most of his career on solo undercover assignments; and sharp, athletic and tough NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight, a formidable REACT agent who specializes in hostage negotiations and high-risk operations. The naïve Jimmy Palmer is assisting the team, who graduated from assistant to fully licensed medical examiner and now runs the morgue; and forensic scientist Kasie Hines, Ducky’s former graduate assistant. Overseeing 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 Navy or Marine Corps ties.
- Cast
- 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
- Network
- CBS
