Have There Been Too Many Losses in Too Few Episodes in ‘NCIS’ Season 18?
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Season 18, Episode 9 of NCIS, “Winter Chill.”]
NCIS has said goodbye to and lost agents and family members over the years, but it feels like Season 18 has been one gut-punch after another. Not that we’re counting, but so far there have been two deaths, a major exit, and a life-threatening injury…in the span of just a few episodes.
The news of the first death comes in Episode 7 (which brings the NCIS world into pandemic times): Medical examiner Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) lost his wife, Breena (Michelle Pierce), to COVID. Not only is he now a single parent, he couldn’t say goodbye to her due to pandemic restrictions. The team instead gathers to help Palmer say his farewell — a letter he’s written to his wife, which he reads out loud.
In the very next episode, Maria Bello‘s character, forensic psychologist Jack Sloane, exits the series. She lives (thankfully), but after going to Afghanistan to help a woman who helped her when she was held captive, the agent chooses to stay to be where she feels she’s most needed. She and Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), who’s with her overseas, finally kiss after a very slow-burn relationship.
Sonja Flemming/CBS
That amount of loss would be plenty. But the hits just keep coming in Episode 9. Gibbs’ old friend and ex-FBI agent Tobias Fornell (Joe Spano) shares his plans to move to Costa Rica — setting up yet another goodbye — only for it to end with a gut-wrenching twist. Fornell’s daughter, Emily (Juliette Angelo), who has been battling addiction, dies after a relapse.
The only bright light? Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines (Diona Reasonover) doesn’t lose her mother, who goes to the hospital (also in Episode 9), too. Her mom passes all the tests.
This all comes after the season kicks off with an emotional blow for viewers and Gibbs: The boss shooting one of his agents, Timothy McGee (Sean Murray). Once we catch up to that point in time (in Episode 5), we learn it’s to save his life: There’s a bomb on the plane McGee is approaching. The agents are also worried that one of their own, Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham), is on board, including after it explodes (until she limps over, safe).
Sonja Flemming/CBS
Everyone lives, and McGee and Gibbs clear the air — it was a necessary shoot. But at the time, especially as Gibbs has to shoot not once but twice, and later sits in McGee’s hospital room after, it’s another utterly heartbreaking moment when all realize how easily he could have died. Bishop notes that McGee is one of Gibbs’ best friends as she worries about their boss’ reaction after the fact.
As we said, there have been deaths — and utterly heartbreaking ones — over the previous 17 seasons, starting with Special Agent Kate Todd’s (Sasha Alexander), by recurring baddie Ari Haswari (Rudolf Martin) in Season 2. There have been stretches of episodes where things haven’t been easy for the agency. For example, look at what Jonas Cobb, aka the Port-to-Port Killer, played by Kerr Smith, put them through at the end of Season 8. when he killed Gibbs’ old boss Mike Franks, played by Muse Watson, and Special Agent Levin, played by Alimi Ballard.
But this feels different. These losses haven’t been done to the team. Yes, Gibbs has to shoot McGee because of a criminal’s actions, but it’s something he did. Breena died due to COVID and Emily her addiction. Jack chooses to leave. For the most part, in the past, the agents had someone they could go after to bring to justice. This season, that’s not the case.
We could all use this right now. #NCIS pic.twitter.com/9MR7wxVohH
— NCIS (@NCIS_CBS) March 10, 2021
Consider this: The season’s not over yet. Coming episodes could bring more tragedy to the team. With the way things are going, that’s pretty much what we’re expecting. And for a show this far in its run (it’s closer to its end than not), there’s only so much gloom that the characters — and fans — should have to endure.
NCIS, Tuesdays, 8/7c, CBS
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Comments are closed on this story.
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O
I have to say this surprised The heck out of me. Talk about depressing!!!
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B
Yes! This is my lighter easy to watch show. Something sorely needed during Covid. Not the case this season! Please give us a break!
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B
Dose anyone have a copy of the letter that was read or know where I can get it? I would like to have a copy of that.
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O
Delilah must be on the chopping block next. What's this show have against wives and children?
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R
I'd love to know the name and author of the poem Vance read aloud at the end of the March 9th episode.
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R
I will not miss Sloane. I don’t think she added much to the team. We hardly ever saw Emily so hard to miss her. I agree with the person who would have liked to see a drug success story line. And Fornell is a weird character especially this season. Please bring back some team-solving episodes.
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O
What hurt the show was when Abbie left they pick the wrong one to replace her and bring Zibba back
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G
You mean Ziva?
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O
I personally think it would have been hard to find somebody to replace Abby that would please the fans. I personally like Kasie a whole lot better than Abby, but I know that's an unpopular opinion.
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P
The reduction in episode # crams all the serial storylines into fewer episodic stories.
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G
Reading these comments, too many of the people who write them seem to forget that this is TV. These are stories, not real people. I used to watch this program a lot (I have moved out of the country and don't even have a TV anymore), but I never took personally a character's death or personal problems (though I have to say I might have missed Abbie's character). Lighten up. It's only TV. And, if you don't like what's happening, either watch another show or read a book!
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C
I was sorry when Jimmy lost Breena. Covid is an important topic right now and too few programs are willing to show the terrible effects of it. But Fornell's daughter dying of an overdose? Many programs have depicted the horrors of addiction. Couldn't NCIS have shown Emily succeeding? This episode just left me feeling hopeless.
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C
She was doing well, even got her 6 month chip, but addiction is unpredictable. Very sad.
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C
stupid killing off a young woman from Covid barely seen on the show, why? She was not visable on the show after the baby, let her fade out not kill her. This show is getting more and more ridiculous, knocking off or crippling women. Why not a man who is an old agent. First they kill Agent Todd, then Diane, then crippling Delilah, now killing off Breena and Emily. Anyone seeing the trend here. Not watching it anymore.
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B
Nate you mean Abby.
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G
The last good episode in NCIS was about pearl harbour victims. All the rest is just silly and manipulative... Not only NCIS is no longer taking care of Marine cases but all new series is promoting covid, masks, vaccines etc. ... Jimmy's wife, just like that- out of nowhere, dies of covid... hahaha... no... that doesn't scream "manipulation" at all... Like people don't have enough of hearing about this pandemic everyday and almost everywhere from over a year. I'm wondering how much did govmt payed the producers to do that... or what was the threat...? I guess will have to stop for now and wait another 2 years to start watching movies and series again cause tv producers are to greedy to let people relax at least in front of TV for 40 min!! Shame! how could you destroy such a great show?!
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O
This was the final straw. I am done. The show needs to end.
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J
I quit watching any episodes that have Fornell in them, so I'm really not invested in him or his daughter. I hope he moves away from DC and we don't have to deal with his character anymore.
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