New set images offer a closer look at Michael Weatherly’s return as Tony DiNozzo in NCIS season 21. Almost a decade after the actor left the long-running police procedural, he returns in time to participate in sending off Ducky — the team’s beloved medical examiner-turned-historian. Weatherly’s unexpected cameo happens in the final moments of NCIS season 21, episode 2, “The Stories We Leave Behind,” just as Palmer tries to keep his emotions in check before delivering his mentor’s eulogy.
The official NCISVerse Instagram account shares new images of Weatherly’s DiNozzo cameo in Ducky’s NCIS season 21 tribute episode. Check out the fun snaps below:
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The batch of images features a mix of behind-the-scenes fun snaps, including Dinozzo goofing around on the set with Sean Murray, and a different angle of him entering the autopsy room to see Palmer. Meanwhile, a group photo with Murray and Brian Dietzen in the elevator evokes nostalgia for the early seasons of NCIS.
Why DiNozzo Returns In NCIS Ducky Tribute Episode & Not Gibbs
While there were ideas to feature more returning characters for Ducky’s send-off episode, the writers of the police procedural opted to feature just one single cameo with Weatherly. Admittedly, Mark Harmon’s absence in the NCIS episode as Gibbs may have been saddening, especially since he was closest to Dr. Mallard. Dietzen, who co-wrote the outing, explained that DiNozzo’s return was more for Palmer than the late doctor. He and DiNozzo were such close friends, so he was the perfect person to console him amid this massive loss.
DiNozzo brings some levity to the episode. Gibbs’ appearance would have been more emotional since the storytelling would be focused on him losing one of his longest friends. However, the NCIS tribute’s decision to bring in Weatherly and take advantage of his humor allows the show to be more of a celebration of Ducky’s life. This idea, coupled with DiNozzo’s silly antics, which include an impressive impression of Dr. Mallard, gives Jimmy the strength he needs to move forward with the eulogy for his mentor.
For now, Weatherly’s return is supposed to be a one-off. He says in the NCIS episode himself that he is just passing through. Despite that, it’s worth noting that Weatherly has been forthcoming about wanting to properly revisit his time as DiNozzo in the police procedural. If CBS and the writers deem him needed in the franchise, it’s safe to say that he can easily return.
