If Not Gibbs, Who Should Lead the Team in ‘NCIS’ Season 19? (POLL)
As it stands right now on NCIS, Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ (Mark Harmon) future at the agency is very much up in the air. And with the way Season 18 ended, chances are he’s not going to be rushing back to work even if that becomes an option. That means the team — what’s left of it, that is — remains without its leader, and that can’t continue for much longer.
In Season 18, Gibbs was indefinitely suspended after he beat a man who was running a dogfighting ring and killing the losers and didn’t regret any of it. (He did, however, regret not killing the man.) Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham), and Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) continued to work cases in his absence, without an official leader.
So far, what we do know about the team in Season 19 is that it will consist of McGee, Torres, and presumably Jessica Knight (Katrina Law, upped to series regular). With Bishop off on an undercover op (and Wickersham’s departure from the show), the team is now down two members. Knight, who worked with them in the last two episodes of Season 18, can fill the open agent spot (and presumably take her desk), but the matter of Gibbs’ position is much more complicated.
Since we still don’t know how much of Season 19 Harmon will be in, all we can do is assume that however long it is, he won’t be back at NCIS in the fall. After all, he is still trying to find a serial killer and there is the matter of someone (maybe even Gibbs himself?) blowing up his boat. Has Gibbs faked his own death? Did he just get too close to the truth and the serial killer tried to take him out? Either way, he’s likely not in any position to lead the team as they investigate cases-of-the-week, so let’s assume that in the premiere, Gibbs will not have his badge back.
If that’s the case, the question becomes how the spot of team leader should be filled. Is it time to promote McGee? Would he even want the job on permanently? (The once-probie, now senior field agent has come a long way, but is he ready to take over?) Should Director Vance (Rocky Carroll) bring in someone new? That could be on a temporary basis, with the assumption that Gibbs will return at some point, or planned to be permanent. If the latter is the case, that could always be “permanent,” with circumstances changing at some point during the season.
Bill Inoshita/CBS
Without taking into account the possibility they all think he’s dead, that all goes back to what Vance and the others believe about Gibbs’ future with the agency. Bishop, in the Season 18 finale, didn’t think he was planning to return. Vance, as the agency’s director, has to think about what’s best for the team.
What we do know is that Gary Cole’s new character, FBI Special Agent Alden Park isn’t “replacing Gibbs” (though that’s all we know about him), so it seems safe to say we can rule him out as a possible new team leader.
What do you think? Vote in the poll below.
NCIS, Season 19, Fall 2021, CBS
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Comments are closed on this story.
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O
Number 1 bring back Tony and Ziva, 2 I would rather have Gibs stay as team leader if not then Tony. Otherwise show is dead
21 4
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P
Ziva is dead but I agree about bringing back Tony
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G
Ziva is alive and well
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G
Tony is not going to leave the great ratings on Bull.
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G
There is only ONE GIBBS - his name is Mark Harmon!! We have been watching NCIS EVER SINCE THE FIRST SHOW. No Gibbs we will not watch !!!!
10 2
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C
Without Gibbs it's a wrap. No one can replace him.
9 2
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G
Without Gibbs I think the show is doomed. It hasn't been great since Tony and Zeva left. Could try having Pride from NCIS New Orleans come north.
6
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G
I agree about Pride or Callan from LA
1
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B
Bring back Ziva! She's a female Gibbs- a leader, strong and decisive.
10 4
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P
She died
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O
Ziva if you want the show to survive. I'm out if Gibbs leaves. That would be my final straw with all the good characters gone. Love Tim but he can't do it himself.
10 5
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C
Gibbs needs to be on the show in some capacity in more than a handful of episodes or it'll limp along until it's over.
7 2
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D
Then there's the very real possibility the next season will be the last
7 2
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O
I’m sure it will be but let’s go out with a high and bring Tony, Ziva and Ducky back one more time on a good note and nothing sad.
1 5
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P
Bring Scott Bakula from New Orleans to be temporary until Gibbs decides what he’s going to do
5 1
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C
What poll. There is no poll.
4
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P
Ziva! Still miss her so much. But even better Gibbs, Tony and Ziva back!
3
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B
Time for McGee to shine. He was a Probie in season one but after about 20 YEARS, it's about time to time to find out if he's good enough to be team leader. If not, he's gotta go.
3
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G
How about the new Mrs Pride accepting a lawyer job in D.C. necessitating a move there. That could put Dwayne Pride in charge of the team until his retirement.
2
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G
Tim McGee has earned the right to lead the team. I would keep watching if Gibbs were gone as much as I like Gibbs.
3 1
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B
Bring back Tony
7 5
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P
McGee should lead the team. Although I have to agree that for me, there is no NCIS without Mark Harmon. If he is ready to retire in that's fine. They just need to wrap up the show and let it be.
2 1
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G
It won't be the same without gibbs
1
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C
I agree with Bill H the show is doomed without Gibbs (Mark Harmon). Don't get me wrong Tim is great but he is by the book he doesn't go off book often. He would be my second choice after Gibbs. But I don't think the show would survive. There's just something about Gibbs personality.
1
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P
Show is done without Gibbs...
1
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O
I think Vance should give Tony a call.
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P
McGhee deserves a chance.
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O
Not be the same without Gibbs I will stop watching
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O
You should not have eliminated NCIS New Orleans. It had the best cast and location. New Orleans music is most important in our culture.
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R
I DIDN’T WATCH MY H THIS PAST SEASON. IT WASNT THE SAME WITH NO GIBBS. HE IS THE MAIN MAN!
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O
Bring Scott Backula to fill in till they decide. Sean Murray is a good leader but needs someone to play off of
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G
Bring Tony back.
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G
Gibbs IS NCIS
NCIS IS Gibbs
You can't have the show without Gibbs
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G
Los Angeles has always been my favourite by far
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G
Mark Harmon is almost 70, David McCallum is around 87. They would be long retired from ANY position of work they were in. Linda Hunt in NCIS LA is mid 70's.
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B
If Mark Harmon can't stay on, then a whole new character played by someone like David Morse. Refresh the position.
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O
Bring back Tony. He already was the leader in Gibbs absence earlier.
Director Shephard was going to give Tony his own team, this shows he has the ability to be the Team Leader.
Ofcourse Gibbs should be involved in one form or Other
1 1
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R
No one can replace the character of Gibbs but I think McGee should be it and Nick his second in command since Bishop is leaving. Ziva is a good choice.
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G
I would like to see Ziva David to come back and take the place of Gibbs
1 1
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C
Honestly if Michael were to come back Tony woyld be a great surprise to be in charge.
1 1
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G
No Gibbs no NCIS! It's done!
1 1
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G
RIP NCIS
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O
Bring In Pride. He Was Just Like Gibbs In New Orleans, And His Wife Is A US Attorney In Washington.
2 2
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O
Or the CGIS equal, Abigail Borne.
1 1
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G
McGee
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B
If Cole is on the show this family will no longer watch
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B
None of present up to covering gibbs or replacing him, Gibbs past it now and show run it's course.
2 2
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G
Harmon Rabb
2 2
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P
Scot Baluga transfer from New Orleans
1 2
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C
Tobias Would be a good leader. It would be crazier if Ely David was alive and took over.
1 2
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R
Ziva and Tony will never come back. Perhaps as guests...
1
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R
McGhee will never be a good leader. Has always been a "wet noodle" remember how everyone can walk on him. Don't remember taking initiative. Or acting as a leader.
Torres could be if he had more experience. Too impulsive.
Although it is said that Cole is not taking Gibbs place, he would be the one.
2 3
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B
Bring back Diva
1
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G
Tony should come back ziva too
4 5
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G
Not McGee. Tim is too much by the follow the rules book. Gibbs was do it now and suffer the consequences, if any, later.
Too many times McGee hesitated before going ahead. He knows what needs to be done but was reluctant to do so until he thought it over first.
Need an action first type of leader and that's not McGee and a reinvention of his character at this point would be out of character.
7 8
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J
Oh who cares. The writers are probably going to do something stupid anyway (no surprise there), so why waste energy thinking about it. 🙄
2 3
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C
Tony would be the best choice.
2
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O
Tony
2
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P
Bring back Tony they have too
3
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G
Bring back Denoso.
3
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