A recently released trailer for NCIS Season 21’s second episode hints at the return of Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Anthony DiNozzo for a special tribute episode for Ducky.
‘NCIS’ Season 21, which premiered on February 12, 2024, set the tone for a season that is not only about crime-solving but also about honoring its past. The trailer for the episode titled ‘The Stories We Leave Behind’ focuses on Ducky’s death and the team’s efforts to commemorate him. It also features flashbacks of Gibbs and DiNozzo.
Despite the lack of official confirmation, Gibbs and DiNozzo’s appearance in the promotional materials suggests that actors Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly may reprise their roles for this special episode, which is dedicated to paying tribute to Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard, a character immortalized by the late David McCallum.
Brian Dietzen, who portrays Jimmy Palmer, Ducky’s long-time assistant, co-wrote the episode. It not only explores the aftermath of Ducky’s passing but also tells the legacy he leaves behind, as seen through the eyes of the current squad and through flashbacks featuring familiar faces.
You can watch the trailer for the episode below.
‘NCIS’ Will Reach A Milestone 1,000th Episode in Season 21
First aired on September 23, 2003, ‘NCIS‘ became the third-longest-running scripted, live-action U.S. prime-time TV series currently airing. Over the years, the series has spawned several spin-offs as well, including ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’ and ‘NCIS: New Orleans.’
Season 21 marks the first season without David McCallum as part of the cast following his death on September 25, 2023. Despite this, McCallum’s character continues to play an important role in the series. With a total of 10 episodes, Season 21 is the shortest in the show’s history.
As ‘NCIS’ approaches its 1000th episode milestone, whether this episode will indeed feature Harmon and Weatherly in person remains to be seen. As of now, the series continues to air new episodes every Monday at 9 pm ET on CBS.