‘NCIS’: Brian Dietzen Warns Finale Could ‘Change a Lot’ Like Vance’s Death Did
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What To Know
- NCIS is still reeling from the major shakeup of Vance’s death in the 500th episode, with no permanent replacement yet named.
- Brian Dietzen warns that the upcoming Season 23 finale could bring another significant change.
The world of NCIS completely shifted with its milestone 500th episode earlier this season: After 18 seasons, Rocky Carroll exited when Director Leon Vance was killed in the line of duty. It just hasn’t been the same since, as the team grieves and a permanent replacement has yet to be named; there’s only been an interim director and, as the agents noted, they expect five more temps before someone permanent. But now it sounds like another shakeup is coming at the end of the season.
“This season was a tumultuous one for our show because of the 500th episode, of losing Director Vance,” Brian Dietzen told TV Insider at CBS Fest on Wednesday, April 15. “The finale, I got to say, I’m not going to say it’s the same as the 500, but there’s echoes of it. And people are not going to want to miss the last, what, five minutes of this show because it has the potential to change a lot within our universe yet again.”
The NCIS Season 23 finale, titled “Sons and Daughters,” airs Tuesday, May 12. The description reads as follows: “One year after a deadly coffee shop bombing, a new explosion proves the attack wasn’t the work of a lone wolf — a case that forces the team to confront legacy and loyalty.”
The long-running drama’s finales have ended on some big moments in the past: Season 2’s killed off Kate (Sasha Alexander); Gibbs (Mark Harmon) left the team and moved to Mexico in Season 3’s; Vance split up the team at the end of Season 5 after Jenny’s (Lauren Holly) death; Season 9 left several characters’ fates unknown after a bomb went off on the Navy Yard and Ducky (David McCallum) had a heart attack; Gibbs was shot at the end of Season 12; and Ziva (Cote de Pablo) revealed she faked her death in Season 16’s final moments, to name a few. Will Season 23’s join that list?
This season’s finale is Episode 20. The next two episodes, airing on April 21 and 28, welcome back LL COOL J as Sam Hanna (the role he starred in on NCIS: Los Angeles and then brought over to NCIS: Hawai’i) ahead of his new spinoff this fall with Scott Caan (not playing the Hawaii Five-0 character that exists within the extended NCISverse), NCIS: New York.
What are your predictions for the NCIS Season 23 finale? Let us know in the comments section below.
NCIS, Tuesdays, 8/7c, CBS
—Reporting by Erin Maxwell
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C
I have a feeling that Mcgees son that he just found out he had will make an appearance maybe his appearance will throw in a curve ball we dont know much about him and this could be part of the final, Also may get news on who the new director will be.
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R
I don't think the producers of the show realize that changing things too much within a season probably isn't going to go well for the Diehard viewers like me who have watched the show and loved it ever since the JAG backdoor pilot episodes. As the show got into the later Seasons the writers and producers seem to get a little off track from what the show is supposed to be about.
Also they keep trying to bring out new spin-offs rather than develop the existing shows that were doing well. Los Angeles should not have been canceled. Neither should have Hawaii in canceled. Sydney should never have been introduced.
If they wanted to do a spin-off, they could have went with the NCIS Elite theme instead of bringing out a New York show that is basically right on top of the flagship NCIS show because New York isn't that far from DC.
They could have even revived the NCIS RED concept merging it with Elite. Or they could have put another season of Tony and Ziva on the map.
NCIS used to be my number one show to watch hands down, but after Mark Harmon left the show because reasons it started jumping the shark.
I think if they keep going down this road, or do something stupid like make McGee the director, the show will be irrevocably damaged.
The way they keep messing with the flagship show it's almost like they want to find a reason to justify canceling it altogether. And that is something I believe the fans will not like at all.
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J
Seriously, when did it be okay to put massive announcements, like Vance’s death, in the title for a story?! I am so angry. I am a hardcore NCIS who hasn’t had the time to catch up with the latest couple of seasons, but the older seasons are always on in the background somewhere, but I am livid now that someone was careless to put that in a title. Shame on you.
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M
A spoiler a day or two after an episode aired is wrong, but three weeks later??? You can’t be serious.
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J
I think maybe they will announce who is going to be the director of NCIS. And I hope it's going to be Tim McGee now that he has another son . But we really don't know his son. So it could have something to do with his son. I just know I wasn't affecting director Vance getting killed. And they really haven't got to grieve like they should. But I could see a more important position for Tim McGee and that would be director. I really don't want to see anyone else leave right now. And I don't want the show to end I've been watching it since the first episode. And I would like for it to keep going. And you never know maybe agent Bishop is coming back. That could be what's going to happen.
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R
That is the last thing they should have done. McGee is such a wishy-washy character, and now that they have a new Abby that is taking over the Cyber aspect of investigations, Timothy is basically a redundant character. He hasn't been with the agency long enough to be put in charge of the entire NCIS organization.
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M
You do realize that McGee has been an agent for 23 years and served as acting director in recent years. He will make a great director.
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W
I'm hoping no one else is being killed off, I was a saddened when Director Vance was eliminated...
We'll see...
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R
I'm excited to see the new show. Love the two leads. Hopefully the show is more like the original instead of being like NCIS LA was.
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L
Scott caan not playing his 5o character is kinda wrong.
Its a ready made character with good established history.
Just like ll cool j.
As for new director, Linda hunts character would be perfect as she was already a regional director
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G
I think Scott will be playing the same type of character, he always does😀
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L
Pretty sure Linda Hunt's health is why she was MIA from from LA, it would good to have her back to give her character closure but I don't see her becoming a regular. I'm voting McGee for Vance's replacement in the director's office, as I recall he had a knack for it when he filled in previously
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A
Brian do not die I love you I need you you are my dream babe
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K
Maybe Gibbs will be director….
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G
I think they should bring back DiNozzo as director.
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W
I hope no one else is being killed off. After Director Vance, I was skeptical about watching the show.
We'll see...
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L
I hope McGee will be the Director and would love to see Vances daughter brought in as the replacement agent.
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T
Okay.....
Either someone is getting transferred against their will, or.... maybe someone from 1 of the other shows really is being brought in (either as a temp or....)
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S
I think McGee will be named Director and CID Major Matt Malone who gave his resume to Knight at the end of episode 11 will replace him..
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R
I'm really gonna miss this show. Wish it wasn't ending
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M
NCIS has already been renewed for Season 24. Don’t know why you think it’s ending.
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