‘NCIS’: 3 Ways We Could See Gibbs Again After Mark Harmon’s Exit
NCIS may have bid adieu to its fearless leader in the October 11 episode, but we’re already thinking about what could bring back Mark Harmon as Leroy Jethro Gibbs before the series comes to an end.
In “Great Wide Open,” the still-suspended agent chose to stay in Alaska rather than return to D.C. with Timothy McGee (Sean Murray). While he didn’t know what he was looking for, “my gut’s telling me I’ll know when I find it,” he said. “Whatever I’m feeling, this sense of peace, I have not had this since Shannon and Kelly died, and I’m not ready to let it go.” For now, that meant staying in Alaska, but he wasn’t sure if that was going to be his new permanent home.
“As an executive producer and dear friend, Mark continues to be an integral part of the fabric of the show,” executive producer and showrunner Steven D. Binder said in a statement. “Our north star has always been staying true to our characters, and that truth has always guided the stories we tell and where those characters go. So regarding the future of Gibbs, as long-time fans of the show may have noticed over the years…never count Leroy Jethro Gibbs out.”
We expect Harmon to appear on-screen in the (eventual) series finale; there’s no way that NCIS can end without that. But what could bring him back into the fold? We have some theories.
Gibbs’ Past Comes Back to Haunt Him
Just because he’s in the middle of nowhere doesn’t mean that someone from his past can’t track him down — or use his former team to draw him out. The last case we see the team solve on-screen could very well be something related to one of Gibbs’ old cases (perhaps from when the agency was NIS for a deep callback) or even his time as a sniper.
CBS
The Team Needs His Help on a Major Case
While we imagine that the team will be working seamlessly (and McGee will have found his “rhythm” as its leader, as Gibbs said he had to in his last episode) by the series finale, that won’t mean they couldn’t use the help of a seasoned investigator. And as we’ve seen, Gibbs doesn’t need a badge to work a case. Considering how long the procedural has already been on air and the fact that CBS hasn’t said Season 19 is its last, it’s going to have to go out with something big, maybe a case that requires more than just whoever’s officially a member of the team.
Gibbs Is Honored in Some Way… and He Shows Up
Gibbs may not have accepted the Meritorious Civilian Service Award (like in Season 6’s “Murder 2.0”), but maybe he’ll be honored in some way and surprise everyone by actually showing up. (This could also be a way to bring back other characters as well, for the ceremony.)
NCIS, Mondays, 9/8c, CBS
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The show lost it’s shine a while ago. I think this year will be its last. Let’s just make sure it goes out with its head held high and not have fans turn away in droves
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I will still watch but not with much interest. Tim is about the only one left I care about. Ducky is sure to leave soon. Abbys 'replacement' is awful.... THe cases are not as interesting now. All shows have their shelf life..... NCIS is no exception.
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If they drag the show out long enough we can get Gibbs to come back and constantly call McGee 'Probie' in a full-circle echo of Mike. But yeah, let it die. The original team had a great dynamic, and it's just not the same with the lame cases and lackluster replacements. NCIS without Abby and Tony is just not quite there, and without Gibbs? Let it go.
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My husband and I will watch till the end. NCIS is the best show on TV, especially this year. It's still an excellent show. Don't be quitters. Look at Legends of Tomorrow. It's had so many cast changes I've lost count. But it's still fun and entertaining.
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I can't imagine NCIS without Gibbs. He is the team leader and the only one who has been there since the beginning. I understand that Mark Harmon is ready to retire and he has earned it. Without Gibbs, it just wouldn't be NCIS. Maybe they could create a new show using the rest of the current cast and call it NCIS -D.C., or something like that.
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NCIS is my favorite show. I was so hoping that it would go for 20 years and it may. I will continue to watch it as I love the show. Gibbs will be missed of course, and I hope they will continue to use him in different episodes, but I think the new leader is going to be very good…I think this is going to be a great team and give us many more wonderful shows to enjoy. Don’t give up on it.
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Don't forget the fourth way, Tony and Ziva getting hitched, Gibbs, Vance, Palmer, Ducky, and McGee are Ziva's family and having the team called away during the reception dinner only to appear at the last minute before the ceremony thinking the case is finished only to have a wedding crasher targeting them all? It would a thought for the series finale, with McGee becoming Director as Vance becomes SECDEF and Gibbs leaves with Sloane or the a divorced CID Colonel who finally returns to him? They could always make McGee Assistant Director in Charge of NCIS Cyber on a spinoff with the uptick in cyber attacks in the United States and Torres becoming the team lead with Knight as his second in command. Katrina Law is a great actress, but her single season with Hawaii Five-0 was it's final season, if this season is NCIS's last, she might not get another series main role because she'd be considered a great series killer actress, H50 and NCIS? That would be bad luck killing a 10 season and a 19 season show with her as a main star in the final seasons?
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So why are you saying "series finale" when you also say "the fact that CBS hasn’t said Season 19 is its last"
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Have a grand finale somebody kidnap Ziva&Tony daughter then it’s all hands on deck everybody comes back can even work in flashbacks of dead agents
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I agree with all the comments below. We wont bother watching now. So much else is out there and this series is done. Too bad they didn't end it on a high last season.
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I thought it was a good show,I think it's lost his humor.i don't think it's the cast that left,it needed a change.i don't think Mark will be completely out of the show..I think making the new girl in lab try to act like abby..
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For the meantime... why not get Scott Bakula to take over?
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Is it just me, or does the new team leader have an extremely Gibbs-like tenor to his voice? I keep thinking Mark Harmon is back on. 😊
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I absolutely agree with your comment, I have enjoyed and looked forward to every show and here in Australia we are having reruns of NCIS every night at 7.30 and you guessed it the tele gets put on 10 bold to watch it lately the shows have been without Mark Harmon and its not the same but given a chance he will be back in guest appearances gives us hope and if we keep watching the new team may just grow on us. Happy to hear he isstill involved with the show in a different capacity.
Long live Leroy Jethro Gibbs
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Anything that brings Gibbs/Mark Harmon back in front of the camera, even occasionally, will be good! I like the idea of him having to accept recognition for his many years of being the BEST agent NCIS has ever had. If he is going to retire, he needs to be honorably retired (not indefinitely suspended). Wonder if McGee still has all of Gibbs' medals in that desk drawer? I hope so. I will continue to watch the show (and keep my fingers crossed for a Gibbs sighting along the way).
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I wish the show finale would be Gibbs showing up to give his "kid" Ziva away to Tony.
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No, I will no watch without mark Harmon.
Making too many changes. Lost interest
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Mark Harman is out but now his wife Pam Dawber is in.
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