NCIS season 21’s Ducky Mallard’s tribute may have been missing Leroy Jethro Gibbs, but that’s actually for the better. CBS’ long-running police procedural staged an emotional send-off to David McCallum’s beloved character with NCIS season 21, episode 2, “The Stories We Leave Behind.” Instead of a straight-up tribute episode, however, the show was able to incorporate its weekly case format into the special, as the team banded together to solve Ducky’s final case. There were theories that former agents would come back to help the official squad, but that didn’t happen.
CBS was actually open to every idea that may have worked for Ducky’s farewell. In the end, NCIS season 21 brought back Michael Weatherly’s Anthony DiNozzo for a last-minute cameo. This marked the actor’s return to the franchise since leaving it in season 13. The writers decided on his comeback more for Jimmy Palmer’s sake — Ducky’s protégé and closest co-worker, who was struggling with the loss. DiNozzo’s return brought levity to the outing. Still, there’s disappointment that Gibbs didn’t show up for Ducky’s funeral. In the bigger scheme of things, however, it’s a blessing in disguise.
Why Gibbs Wasn’t In Ducky’s Funeral In NCIS Season 21
Gibbs and Duck’s friendship predated the events of NCIS.
Harmon left in NCIS season 19 after a case brought him to Alaska, which inspired him to retire and live there full-time. He told Tim McGee that being surrounded by nature gave him the peace that he had been chasing since Kelly and Shannon died in the early ’90s. However, the cases back at home didn’t stop, which meant that NCIS had to move forward. There have been mentions of Gibbs, but nothing substantial to preserve the mystery surrounding his whereabouts. In NCIS season 21, episode 2, it was revealed that Gibbs remains in Naktok Bay, Alaska.
Behind the scenes, co-showrunner Steven Binder explains (via TVLine) that the door remains open for Gibbs to return, which makes sense, considering that he hasn’t died. NCIS has done a great job writing off many of its characters without permanently ruling out the chances of them coming back in future seasons. For Harmon, however, the executive producer adds that when the time comes that they’re actually ready to bring Gibbs back to the DMV, they plan on making the most out of it. This means that it won’t be just for a short cameo, like the one DiNozzo had.
Gibbs Ducky Tribute Absence Sets Up A Better NCIS Return For Mark Harmon
NCIS can make the most out of Harmon’s return as Gibbs.
With Binder essentially confirming that they have plans to bring Gibbs back in the NCIS, it’s safe to say that Harmon will eventually reunite with his old teammates moving forward. That time may still not be confirmed but it’s for the better that Harmon didn’t return for Ducky’s NCIS episode. For starters, it would be detrimental to the show’s goal to honor McCallum to also stage the much-anticipated Gibbs return in the same episode. Secondly, it would diminish the impact of seeing the character back in a future episode, as Binder has teased.
It’s best to save Harmon’s comeback for a special episode where NCIS can actually devote time to crafting a great arc that is centered on him.
At this point, it’s best to save Harmon’s comeback for a special episode where NCIS can actually devote time to crafting a great arc that is centered on him. Perhaps CBS even does a multi-episode arc that is about the character. After all, Gibbs has some lingering NCIS storylines that still need to be solved. Regardless, pushing Harmon’s return to the police procedural that he spearheaded for almost two decades allows it to have more time with the character and have a better return plot that may even feature him working with some old and new agents in the organization.
When Gibbs Might Return In NCIS?
NCIS season 21 has a couple of opportunities to feature Gibbs.
The great thing is, there’s no scarcity of opportunities to bring back Gibbs. NCIS is about to celebrate its 1000th overall episode, which could be the perfect time for Harmon’s return. Specific plot details about the special are still scant at the moment, but it has already been confirmed that Director Vance will be at the center of it. Considering Gibbs’ friendship with him and the severity of the case, it isn’t outside the realm of possibility that he is recruited back to the DMV to help with the case.
Otherwise, it’s also worth noting that Gibbs is supposedly the executor of Ducky’s will — something that hasn’t been addressed in NCIS season 21, episode 2. It would be hard, if not impossible to do his legal duty if he is thousands of miles away from Washington DC. This would be a great opportunity to bring back Gibbs, especially if it involves his old friend leaving some of his possessions to other members of the NCIS, both past and present.
