When Will Gibbs Return to ‘NCIS’ in Season 19? (POLL)

NCIS Mark Harmon Gibbs Office Season 18 Work
Edward Chen/CBS

When Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll) suspended Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) from NCIS indefinitely in Season 18, it wasn’t fixed in the next episode. In fact, he still wasn’t back at work at the end of the season. But he has to return to work at some point next year … right?

Not necessarily. The six NCIS episodes without Gibbs showed that the team can get the job done without him. McGee (Sean Murray) has grown nicely from probie (remember when we met him in Season 1?!) to senior field agent to (temporary?) boss. And sure, they’re down an agent with Ellie Bishop’s (Emily Wickersham) undercover work, but we may have already met her replacement in Jessica Knight (Katrina Law). And while it certainly seemed like he would try, Gibbs couldn’t work at NCIS forever.

Plus, he seems to have found another way to keep investigating and remain part of the show: working with reporter Marcie Warren (Pam Dawber). The season even ended with the two embroiled in a case involving a serial killer, which very likely was the reason why Gibbs’ boat exploded at the end of the finale. (We have theories about just who might be responsible for that.) The series could easily continue following NCIS’ cases and Gibbs’ own work.

That being said, we highly doubt that we’ll never see Gibbs working with the team again. In what capacity could very well just depend on how much Harmon is part of Season 19. There are rumors that he might not be around full-time, but there hasn’t been anything said officially yet. For now, we’ll speculate that he’ll either return as boss for part of the season or strictly as a consultant for cases here and there. And if the former is the case, something tells us it won’t be until partway through the season.

When Season 18 ended, Gibbs’ boat exploded as he was (presumably) heading to check out a potential dump site for the serial killer. Whoever planted that bomb aside, wrapping up that case will likely take up most of Gibbs’ time when the series returns in the fall. That could lead to him working with his former team again (perhaps if another victim falls into NCIS’ jurisdiction).

NCIS Sangre Season 18 Episode Mark Harmon Gibbs

Bill Inoshita/CBS

What we do know is that it wouldn’t be right if we never see Gibbs working with his agents again, even if he has yet to truly express any desire to return to NCIS. (Bishop even called him on it in the finale.) He does need one last case with them to truly say goodbye to being Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (even if it’s in name only and not in an official capacity) after 18 years of it on-screen.

What do you think? When will Gibbs return to working at NCIS again in Season 19? Vote in our poll below.

NCIS, Season 19, Fall 2021, CBS

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  1. O

    OliveSword

    If the powers to be want to end this show, they need to keep doing what they’re doing. Any long time fan will not want to put up with Gibbs showing up half way. It needs to be all or nothing. Sorry, just my opinion

    28 1

    1. T

      txcharley

      I have to agree. Gibbs is the heart and soul of NCIS and without him, it just isn't

      24

  2. P

    PurpleLeaf

    There is no NCIS without Gibbs and the Gibb rules

    19

  3. P

    PurpleTrumpet

    Vance has been on Gibbs' back since he's been Director. I think he's glad he's suspended, but Gibbs is an awesome boss & fans want him back where he belongs.

    16

  4. G

    GreenPlane

    I'm going to quit watching it if Gibbs doesn't return to NCIS

    14

  5. B

    BlueUmbrella

    I am with everyone else Gibbs Needs to be back with his team key word his team I love magee but it is and always will be Gibbs tem

    14

  6. B

    BlueBeer

    If Gibbs doesn't come back I don't think the show will make we lost almost all the original cast....Abby...Tony.....Ziva.....Kate it's not the same show

    6

  7. P

    PurpleDucky

    He has to

    6

  8. R

    RedCupcake

    Well Gibbs has always been on the show. He needs to at least be on a few to wind down (retire) to make it right. They owe him that much. Mark Harmon was the reason I watched ncis. They will have another show i hope,if they play there cards right,it will be a good show. But not the same as Gibbs.

    4

  9. C

    CyanCandy

    I agree that without Gibbs the show just isn’t right. Too many characters have left suddenly. Almost everyone has left. We only have McGee and while I love his character NCIS just isn’t what it was and I may not watch 19 without Gibbs

    3

  10. P

    PurpleChilli

    My heart is broken!!! Gibbs has to come back. I love them all 😭

    2

  11. B

    BlueProcessor

    Bring gibbs back he is the show with out him get rid of vance he back stabbed gibbsm

    2

  12. R

    RedElephant

    Gibb needs to return. Without him the show is nothing!

    2

  13. T

    TUF

    The beginning of the Season

    4 2

  14. G

    GoldCar

    No Gibbs no NCIS he is the show and get Ziva back the two of them are the best for the show

    1

  15. G

    GreenApple

    Please let the show end if it must, the way NCIS New Orleans did. It’s sad to keep losing part of the team one at a time. There are so few shows that stick to the topic and don’t conform to what is happening in the country. We’ll miss Bishop lets keep Gibbs.

    1

  16. R

    RedElephant

    Oh big big yes all in or end show.

    1

  17. G

    GoldSubmarine

    If "Gibbs" leaves the show, whether partially or fully, you might as well cancel it, cuz its not NCIS without him.

    2 1

  18. G

    GoldCar

    I wont watch no more if they take away Gibbs too. I'm a lifer so far but they taking too many originals away. Abby, tony ,Kate, zeva ,plus more that I can name but now talking gibbs. It just won't be the show anymore. Get it together.

    2 1

  19. O

    OrangeBus

    Ziva is/was not an original cast member. Ziva came on board in Season 3, after Kate was killed in the season 2 final episode. Kate was an original cast member.

    1

  20. G

    GoldBug

    He will be in all the episodes

    1

  21. B

    BlueBullhorn

    In the beginning . Gibbs being attacked is a NCIS case now the team can now take over the investigation therefore I believe the team and Jethro will be working together but not as Gibbs the agent.

    1

  22. P

    PurpleLeaf

    I thing Gibbs will be in a spinoff series maybe with the CIA or some other agency.

    The United States Government Manual lists 96 independent executive units and 220 components of the executive departments.

  23. C

    CyanFries

    No Gibbs no me watching

    GIBBS OR GOODBYE

  24. C

    CyanMagnet

    No gibbs, no show, it already feels slow paced like there trying to fill gaps where he would normally be.......not likelyto continue watching without him, the show will have run its course......😔

  25. G

    GoldBottleOpener

    Gibbs makes the show. Without him it's not as exciting and I love how he says " Gear Up " . He not only trains the best agents but he has a father figure that they turn to for what to do. Bring Gibbs back. He is the heart of the NCIS!!!!

  26. G

    GoldBottleOpener

    We have to have Gibbs back. I love him and his way with him or his family is what they are to him. He loves them like his own children not team mates. We need more Gibbs for sure !! I miss him and his team and the guy expression !!!!

  27. B

    BlueBox

    Gibbs needs to come back. Although team is working well without him, it's just not the same. Please bring him back permanently. If he wants to leave let's give him a proper send off.

  28. P

    PurpleRing

    I think if he doesn’t return as boss I’m done

  29. O

    OliveSword

    We need to shut NCIS down and put it into reruns if there is no Gibbs back in his role or he could replace Vance. But if no Gibbs, then no NCIS.

  30. B

    BlueProcessor

    I will still watch with or without Gibbs