‘NCIS’: Brian Dietzen Explains Change for Last Opening Credits With David McCallum
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for NCIS Season 21 Episode 2 “The Stories We Leave Behind.”]
NCIS pays tribute to the late David McCallum and his character, Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, in the latest episode, which also marks a significant last for the show: his appearance in the opening credits.
TV Insider has confirmed that’s the last time McCallum will be part of that sequence. The opening credits had a twist for his tribute episode, co-written by Scott Williams Brian Dietzen (whose Dr. Jimmy Palmer started out as Ducky’s assistant and is now the chief medical examiner), who features in our NCIS aftershow, NCIS: Case Closed, to break down everything that happened, including that surprising ending.
Rather than the usual theme we’ve been hearing for now over 20 seasons—and you can dance to—the music was slowed down for this special tribute episode.
“We were struggling with that, I’ll be real honest, because coming out of that cold open, it didn’t really feel very fitting to [have] all of a sudden our wonderful opening credits that our people do, our post-production people do an amazing, amazing job on,” Dietzen tells us. “It usually sets the table and gets people’s energy up for, this is what we’re about to do, and there’s explosions, and there’s fighting, there’s gunshots and stuff. It felt like tonally it wasn’t right for this episode.”
!['NCIS' Aftershow: Inside [Spoiler]'s Return for Ducky Tribute](https://www.tvinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ncis-brian-dietzen-234x155.jpg)
When it came to the episode, “When you lose someone very close, you can fall into just crying and mourning continually, and while we wanted to pay homage to him, we didn’t want that to be it,” Dietzen explains. “We wanted to celebrate the fun times as well, and we wanted to celebrate the amazing work that this great actor did on our show and also honor the character that he created. And I think both those people, the character and the actor, would love to see us continuing on and honoring him through continuing to do good work.”
NCIS, Mondays, 10/9c, CBS
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Comments are closed on this story.
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O
I think the slower paced music at the beginning set the stage for a warm an wonderful tribute to Ducky. I loved this special show! Well done!
100
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L
The episode was even better than I could have had hoped. From the music, to the surprise ending. Well done. We will miss you, Ducky.
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G
Very disappointed...sorry. it left me with a totally different impression of Mark Harmon and others. I have watched every episode since day 1. No excuse. Is Michael Weatherly the only one who had time. I heard Harmon say he wasn't asked!! REALLY? HE IS THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF ALL NCIS
38 1
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P
Well said. I agree. It would have been a wonderful tribute, and the right thing to do. One professional actor to another. One human being to another.
27
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G
I would have even been happy with “Gibbs and Abby are meeting us there.”
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R
The revised opening credits music sort of reminded me about 24 that would have silent ending credits when someone was killed at the end of an episode instead of the ticking clock.... The episode was so well done.
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B
I used to think Mark Harmon was the show. But he had his time, and an extremely great run. This one was for "Ducky!" One of a kind in his own rite. The cameos of him talking to the characters in the past were excellently chosen. Even Abby was kind of there with the black roses. Dinozo was a wise choice to come at the end to give Jimmy the appropriate neckwear for the eulogy. He was always known as the playful kidder of the newbies,. This episode he came in with nothing but respect for Ducky's ceremony, and especially for Jimmy. I have to disagree with the people that thought Mark Harmon should have been there. KUDOS to Brian for writing such a heartfelt show in honor of David Mccallum. It was so far the single BEST episode I have seen, and I've watched them all! Thank you all for your participation in it!
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O
Excellent post!
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R
Gibbs should’ve been there as should have Abby. It was nice that DiNozzo was there. Gibbs and Ducky were best friends from way back. Brian Dietzen did a lovely job but the reason he did not bring back the other characters is because they wouldn’t come. Their choice. However, rumor does have it that Gibbs may make an appearance for the 400th episode. However, Abby will not be in any episode with Gibbs because they do not get along in real life.
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G
While it was a great tribute to Ducky, I was disappointed that Mark Harmon, Pauley Perrette, and other past characters could not take the time to pay tribute to a great actor.
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B
I thought that there was some kind of bad blood with Mark Harmon and the producers. Don't quote me.
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G
I think Mark Harmon is still listed as a producer. I could be wrong.
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P
Since Brian was the co-writer, he was one of two to decide who came back. I can see why Gibbs was only mentioned. His presence would have taken over. Abby, Bishop, and Ziva -all together, could have been distracting. Noticed, Tony was only in the last two minutes of the show to support Jimmy. Think it was the right touch to honor David McCallum/Ducky, not the former NCIS characters.
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B
Really Loved the tribute to Ducky. Very well written. Was glad to see Michael Weatherly's surprise visit. But at that time, I really kept thinking Mark Harmon would be there with his hand on Brian's shoulder offering him comfort. But Great job. You'll be missed Ducky
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P
I've been watching this show since day one. I was trying not to cry, but it didn't work. RIP Ducky.
17
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B
No Gibbs. So dumb CBS.
20 4
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G
It was done beautifully! 💖😉
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G
This was a great episode! So love Ducky!! Brian said all of the old actors were asked and only Tony was able to be there! I’m sure Gibbs didn’t come on because he didn’t want to take away from the show being that it was for Ducky!
7 1
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G
What, no article about Tony's surprise appearance?? I'm shocked--SHOCKED!! -- that this site hasn't taken the opportunity to tease fans of the show with a headline about him.
9 6
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B
It was a very nice show and Beautiful Tribute to our Ducky❣
Loved that they slowed down the theme song / music at the opening ~ soooo perfect!! And really LOVED seeing Tony... Lots of tears came from these eyes 😢 and this Awesome Episode will NOT be deleted ~ great job Everyone! 👍😊👏👏👏
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G
The entire episode from opening credit music to the Tony surprise and ending credits was wonderful. Well done.
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P
Very well done!
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T
Haunting, just knowing about David’s passing really set emotions in gear with that beautiful haunting slower paced music. I think the character that he built will immensely effect us all either by being spoken about or within our own heads by saying “this is what Ducky would have told them” and that is just fine to me.
Also, it was sooo wonderful to hear a certain cocky smooth talkers voice again. I sure missed it!
2 1
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P
It’s such a good show, I watch it with my mom all the time and I guess with her to see who can get it first.
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M
I loved when they said the dog's name as Solo. I knew immediately he was named after his costar in "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." My son asked Han Solo? I said, no, Napoleon Solo.
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O
NCIS made many references to the Man From Uncle. Illya Kurakin was mentioned a couple of times. I will miss Ducky.
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G
NCIS is on at 9/8 central Mondays. The earlier caption said 10/9 Central.
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G
Very touching tribute will miss his "stories " glad to see "Tony " was expecting Gibbs and Abby will definitely miss you ducky
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B
I love the show and the tribute
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O
I liked that they slowed down the music at the beginning, but I gotta say I was a little disappointed with the episode. Guess I was expecting something different. Really going to miss David McCallum.
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B
It should have been either 90 minutes or two hours.
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B
The David McCallum NCIS Tribute episode was really special and a fitting salute to Ducky. I have watched NCIS since the beginning and he was an integral part of the show. I couldn’t have imagined a better way to acknowledge his contribution and importance to the show. RIP, Ducky. Well Done!!
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O
The best episode in all of 21 seasons,and when they brought tone back it was the cream on the cake
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O
I lost interest when the skinny little blonde chick came on. Can't remember her name. She used to sit on the floor. Liked Ziva and Kate equally.
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