The February 19, 2024, episode of NCIS, titled “The Stories We Leave Behind,” served as a heartfelt tribute to David McCallum, who played Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard since the show’s inception. McCallum, who passed away on September 25, 2023, at 90, was the last original cast member of NCIS. Due to industry strikes that year, the memorial episode was delayed, but it delivered a poignant farewell to both McCallum and his beloved character, Ducky.
Brian Dietzen (Jimmy Palmer), who co-wrote the episode, shared that it was important to honor Ducky’s connections not only with current characters but also with former team members. The episode celebrated Ducky’s impact through memorable scenes that highlighted his legacy within NCIS.
In the Halloween-themed episode, “The Trouble with Hal,” the team revisits the question of what to do with Ducky’s now-unused office. Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) pitches the idea of transforming it into a state-of-the-art gym, while Knight (Katrina Law) and McGee (Sean Murray) offer gentle resistance, noting that it might be a sentimental space for some, particularly Jimmy Palmer. When Torres asks Palmer directly, though, he’s surprised to hear Palmer is open to the change, believing Ducky wouldn’t want his office left idle.
However, not everyone agrees. Kasie Hines (Diona Reasonover) feels strongly that Ducky’s office should remain untouched as a tribute. Ducky was the one who brought her into NCIS, and she reveals to Palmer that she’s been using the office for her daily meditation, finding it a peaceful space where she feels connected to Ducky’s spirit. Palmer, who sympathizes with her need for inner peace, suggests she gather input from the team about possible uses for the room.
Each team member has their own idea: McGee would like a quiet desk to escape the noise of the main room, Parker wants a lunch spot, and Palmer hopes to keep the file cabinets with Ducky’s notes, which he often finds helpful. Ultimately, Torres reveals to Knight his true motivation for the gym: his near-death experience on a recent undercover mission has him focusing on his future and his fitness, hoping to find a renewed sense of purpose—and maybe even love. Knight, supportive as ever, encourages his new outlook.
By the end of the episode, the team finds a compromise, transforming the space into the “Dr. Donald Mallard Memorial Multi-Purpose Room.” There’s a workout area, a quiet table by the window, a meditation corner, and Ducky’s files remain accessible. Palmer is thrilled with the new space, and Kasie suggests playful nicknames, like “the Duck Pond” or “Ducky’s Den.” Ultimately, they settle on “Ducky’s”—a fitting name to honor the doctor’s enduring presence.
NCIS airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS, with episodes streaming the next day on Paramount+.
