NCIS 1000th Episode Trailer Teases Forgotten Character’s Involvement 19 Years After Their Death

CBS releases a trailer for NCIS’ 1000th episode, and it unexpectedly features a forgotten original character almost two decades since they died. TV’s number 1 franchise is about to cross a groundbreaking milestone amid a significantly shorter season. Despite that, Special Agent Parker’s team has already gone through a lot in NCIS season 21, which includes saying goodbye to Ducky and welcoming Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo Jr. back, albeit in just a short cameo. As it turns out, the “Very Special Agent” isn’t the only original character involved in the show’s current year.

As seen in the trailer (via TV Promos) for NCIS season 21, episode 7, “A Thousand Yards,” Sasha Alexander’s Caitlin Todd appears via a photo cameo. Watch the video below:

In the clip, the whole agency comes under attack from an unknown threat, although it does seem like the team’s adversary has a history with NCIS. This prompts Parker’s squad to look back on some of their biggest cases, including the death of Caitlin Todd at the hands of Ari Haswari in the NCIS season 2 finale.

Why NCIS’ 1000th Episode References Caitlin Todd

NCIS’ 1000th episode will feature deep-cut Easter eggs from its past, including the show’s pilot episode. Titled “Yankee White,” the outing saw Mark Harmon’s Leroy Jethro Gibbs and his team deal with the unexpected death of a marine aboard Air Force One. The case also debuted Alexander’s Todd, who was part of the Secret Service. However, the security breach resulted in her firing, paving the way for her to join NCIS instead. Considering this, it makes sense that Todd’s death is re-examined, as it may be tied to the squad’s latest case.

Todd’s death is still one of the most heartbreaking moments in NCIS. Her murder in the season 2 capper was so unexpected, and it was made worse by having viewers wait throughout the summer for the case’s resolution. The incident set up the arrival of Cote de Pablo’s Ziva, who eventually replaced Todd in Gibbs’ team. There have been references to the late Special Agent in the past, but this is the first time that NCIS is fully revisiting it, as hinted by the 1000th episode trailer.

It’s unclear if any other original characters will appear in the special outing. As it is, Gibbs’ NCIS’ 1000th episode appearance is currently unlikely, especially since the show’s writers have made it clear that they will only bring him back if they can come up with a narrative that will fully take advantage of the character’s availability. Unfortunately, the milestone offering isn’t that, because it is focused on an agency-focused case. Still, it’s great to see Alexander’s Todd again, even if it’s just in photo form.