CBS’ latest NCIS season 21 clip teases Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ role in Ducky’s tribute episode. In light of David McCallum’s death in 2023, the long-running police procedural is sending off its beloved medical examiner-turned-historian with an emotional outing. NCIS season 21, episode 2, “The Stories We Leave Behind,” will see Agent Parker’s team solving a case that Ducky was secretly working by himself before he passed away. Despite Mark Harmon’s NCIS season 19 exit, the episode will incorporate him into its storytelling.
The new clip from NCIS’ official YouTube account features a Gibbs and Ducky emotional scene. Watch it below:
The scene starts with Knight discovering in Ducky’s diaries that Gibbs didn’t inform him of his family, let alone their murder, despite being friends for decades. Eventually, the scene cuts to a flashback of the pair’s conversation about the matter in NCIS season 4, episode 10, “Smoked.”
Will Gibbs Actually Show Up In Ducky’s NCIS Tribute
Seeing a flashback sequence between Ducky and Gibbs makes sense, considering how the writers wanted to get previous agents involved in the NCIS season 21 tribute episode. Recruiting many of them for an actual appearance is far too complicated logistically, so this is the best way that the show can do that. However, among everyone from the past who could return, Harmon’s character is arguably the most important one. Not only were they both pioneering characters in the show, but Gibbs and Ducky’s friendship also pre-dated the events of the procedural.
It’s difficult to imagine that the former NCIS leader won’t make the time to come to Washington DC for a final salute to Ducky. That being said, it’s worth noting that there hasn’t been any indication that Harmon will appear in the episode aside from the flashback sequence. Still, there’s still hope that the actor can do a cameo since NCIS season 21 has an easy way to bring Gibbs back. The show can get away with not making a big deal out of his return, especially since the focus should be on Ducky.
In fact, Gibbs doesn’t even have to reunite with the rest of the team during his proposed DMV return. He can discreetly show up during Ducky’s funeral and leave right away. In any case, contacting his old co-workers can also get them in trouble with the FBI. The important thing is that the NCIS episode shows him making the effort to participate in honoring Ducky.
