Is ‘NCIS’ Suspending Gibbs to Set Up Mark Harmon’s Exit From the Show?
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for Season 18, Episode 10 of NCIS, “Watchdog.”]
The NCIS team has to figure out how to operate without its boss, Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon), for an unknown period of time. The question is, will they have to do it permanently?
At the end of the March 17 episode, “Watchdog,” Director Vance (Rocky Carroll) suspends Gibbs “indefinitely,” not due to his actions during the case (which did land a suspect in the hospital), but because of his attitude after the fact. And with rumors that Harmon could be ready to leave or only return for part of a potential Season 19 — the drama has yet to be renewed for the 2021-2022 season — we can’t help but wonder if this arc is setting up that possibility, and what it would mean for the show and Gibbs’ team.
During the latest episode, NCIS stumbles on a dogfighting ring. Gibbs discovers the man running it, Luke Stana (Max Adler), was killing the dogs that lost. After pulling a kennel with one of those dogs out of a lake, Gibbs, angry, goes after Luke, and it takes the rest of the team to pull him off before he kills him.
NCIS Inspector General Eugene Coyle (Hugo Armstrong) questions Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham), and Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) about their boss’ actions. Starting with McGee, they all claim Stana was fleeing Gibbs when he tripped and fell.
Gibbs had told them to tell the truth, and he offers to do just that to Coyle, as long as the IG doesn’t go after his team for lying to a federal officer (a felony). However, to his agents’ surprise, the interim report into Gibbs’ use of “unnecessary force” states that “a conclusion has not yet been reached due to evidentiary issues. Further investigation is required.” Why? As Vance explains, Coyle has two rescue dogs and doesn’t want to be the one to bury Gibbs.
But Vance needs to hear from Gibbs (who’s keeping a dog that survived Stana’s abuse — look how cute they are below!) why he shouldn’t be the one to bury him. “Tell me you regret what you did,” the director requests. But he doesn’t get the answer he needs.
We’ll leave this here. #NCIS pic.twitter.com/3OV7K6uooG
— NCIS (@NCIS_CBS) March 17, 2021
“I do,” Gibbs says, but he can’t offer a former apology to Stana because “I regret I didn’t kill him.”
“You are putting me in an impossible position here, Gibbs,” Vance says before suspending him, and asking for his badge and gun.
Presumably, we’ll see McGee in charge of the team during Gibbs’ absence; the Senior Field Agent has taken lead in the past. But this is different from Gibbs being off on his own mission (like he was helping Joe Spano’s Fornell in tracking down the opioid ring at the beginning of the season). Presumably the team can’t rely on Gibbs for help via a phone call given why he’s not at work.
Edward Chen/CBS
And we don’t know how long Gibbs’ suspension will last, especially with his response to Vance’s request for an apology and declaration that “something’s broken” since he wasn’t charged with a crime for his behavior.
It seems the focus should be on where Gibbs’ head is right now. Clearly, more time is needed to address what happened in that final scene. And with therapist Grace Confalone (Laura San Giacomo) putting in an appearance (via video-chat) in “Watchdog,” we expect her to be part of whatever happens next with Gibbs.
Could the next however many number of episodes be to test how NCIS might do without Gibbs, whether for the short term, half a season (if Harmon only returns for part of next year), or even longer? While it’s nearly impossible to imagine the procedural without Gibbs (or Harmon), we’re sadly facing the possibility that it may happen.
NCIS, Tuesdays, 8/7c, CBS
Grab Your News!
Get absolutely everything about NCIS in your inbox!
Conversation32 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
O
If Gibbs leaves, they might as well end the show! The show hasn't been the same since Ziva, Tony and Abby left anyway.😢
32 7
-
B
I think the episode was despicable and entirely out of character. Gibbs was a solid citizen not a rogue agent for many years and this episode did not honor his dedication and Davy.
21 2
-
J
Agree. Many, many, MANY times we've seen Gibbs face off with a hateful, despicable horrendous person (cold-blooded killers, child abusers, etc.). He never once lost control like that. It was nothing but a plot device, and itself was despicable. That scene they showed was way, way, WAY over the line. (and i'm not talking about him beating down on the perp.)
11 1
-
-
G
The episode curdled my stomach to see animal abuse. I’m glad the perp went down. As far as Gibbs, it was out of character, but he’d just lost Jack (her decision to leave), and then losing his goddaughter. A guy can only take so much. He used the perp as his outlet, and for me, I was glad to see him release his emotions for once. It won’t be the same without Leroy Jethro Gibbs, but Mark Harmon is up there in years, and has dedicated 18 seasons to his work and fans. He deserves retirement, and if he just gives us guest appearances, so be it. I love Torres, Bishop, McGee, Kasie, and Jimmy. I would still watch the show.
23 5
-
P
It's his show!
Might as well just end it!
It's a great show.
Without Mark, what's the point?
18 3
-
D
Lots of talk building about this,apparently Harmon would like to leave,and who can blame him after almost 20 years?CBS says if he goes the show ends so he seems to have agreed to stick around part time,really what he is doing is giving the show and it's people a chance to wrap it up and also treat the fans well.The show really can't continue without Gibbs,the other characters simply aren't strong enough which was always the design,Gibbs was dominant.The only character that ever came close is gone,Micheal Weatherly's character Dinozzo unless Bull ends and he comes back which is doubtful.
17 3
-
B
I completely agree. While there are some shows that can continue on when their main character leaves NCIS without Gibbs would fall flat. MAYBE if Michael Weatherly hadn't left there would be a chance for it without Gibbs but that is a big if. But who can blame Harmon for being ready to go...it's been so many years. He's earned his retirement. I do think it was brilliant on his part to end the discussion of whether his dog should be on set though by casting him in the show.
4 2
-
-
G
If Gibbs leaves or only takes a part time role like duckies, the only way I will work is that Mcgee takes role as lead and the rest follow suit like the last part if the season in which we as NCIS fans will accept it we would prefer Gibbs not leave but if that happens then that's the way it will have to be and we need at least one more strong actor to come on as well
2
-
G
This is it can’t watch Ncis anymore without Gibbs.
3 1
-
O
netwnetwork. Gibbs, please stay!
1
-
R
I guess it is time to say good by to NCIS without Gibbs there is no show. The writers of this episode stinks did not enjoy this episode.
1
-
G
You could bring the guy from Jag in..they did a guest spot and he acts kinda like gibbs...
1
-
G
I think the storyline for Gibbs is a possible exit story for him but I also think it's about the BLM protests. CBS signed a deal with a advisory group last year to make there shows more believable about police brutallity and the working of law enforcement. NCIS LA did it with Deeks who lost his job as a liasion officer with NCIS due to reforms in the LAPD and with Sams daughter who is an activist. NCIS New Orleans did a story with rogue NOPD officers. So I think this is a way for NCIS to give Gibbs a more realistic punishment after such misconduct. I also saw that this episode was actually the one that was suposed to be episode 21 of season 17 wich they could not film because of the COVID shutdown.
2 1
-
R
First off we go through this every year at this time "will he or won't he renew his contract". The online articles (and please forgive me for generalization but it fits) from all over the place fuel the speculation and the rumors and I think its based on what you find on message boards and forums. Unless CBS or Mark Harmon says so himself then it should be wait and see.
Also to assume he will retire irks me to no end. He once told Mario Lopez that eventually he will start working behind the camera.
2 1
-
P
“Watch Dog” was a captivating episode, though did not tie in to their usual case types. But of “out of the box” is a good thing, and showed compassion that when one comes across something, though not in your own job description, follow it thru! Yes, Gibbs did say “tell the truth” and do the right thing! I understand he did go overboard and nearly killed the guy, but he’d been thru an awful lot lately, snapped. He is after all still human. I also take it that Lucy is Harmon’s dog? If so, good! Now, Harmon’s son and dog have made their cameos, and soon his wife!😀
3 2
-
R
Gibbs is what makes the program, without him no NCIS for me and my family. Bad enough Abbey isn't there anymore
-
C
NCIS. I was holding out hope that it would not do what almost all of the shows on CBS have done. The Equalizer, SWAT, NCIS LA, and NCIS New Orleans all along with others have started attacking Police and making everything about white supremacist. As a retired Police Officer the shows that do that are coming off of my list of shows to record. GOD BLESS all of our Soilders and Law Enforcement Officers.
1 1
-
O
Gibbs is NCIS. Without him, there is no point in watching the show. They may as well end the series. I know I will not watch it ever again if he left. It was bad enough when Ziva and Tony left the show. I had a very hard time with Bishop and Torres. They took away Abby and Dr. Mallard from us and so many others. The only reason this show stayed alive was because of Gibbs.
-
G
No Gibbs, no show for me. Without Gibbs the show is nothing, Tony, Bishop,McGee and Jimmy, Kasie, Mallory are great but not without Gibbs. If NCIS is coming to and end I want The last season to include all, have Ziva/Tony reunited with baby as a family, Abby to return and Gibbs to finally find happiness and remarried. It could be a very exciting season with espionage, action, emotions and love. I hope this happens. Will Miss NCIS.
-
O
Basically, the writers and the actors have just been "phoning it in." This season has been rather like the last season of Game of Thrones.
-
O
I’ll stick with the show and the franchise. Just like IRL change of station happens but the job goes on. New diversity could be interesting 🤔
-
G
SO SAS Money wins again....to bad they can't work around it the show WILL DIE.
-
G
I really would hate to see Gibbs leave the show for good,he makes it what it is with his team...
-
O
With out Gibbs I will not be watching any more we have lost a lot of the cast I liked and Gibbs is the last one so I switched to other shows now done with NCIS
-
O
If Gibbs is reading this bring back Tony Abby Ziva and convince him to be Leroy forever people love them and some its their life during these times....
1 1
-
G
This isn't the first time Gibbs left but this time he couldn't go hang out with Mike Franks so he kept him a dog. He'll be back again, though, to help Ziva again.
-
P
I believe that's it's just a show and shows end. So we just look forward to whatever's next. End of story.
1
-
R
Frankly, the show has become long in the tooth. Gibbs just keeps getting weirder as do the story lines. Time to say goodbye
2 3
-
P
I cannot watch show where animal abuse is implied or slightly shown. I did not watch last night nor will i watch next week if there is a continuance of the above. Sure I am not the only one. Love the show but not animal abuse.
6 7
-
O
The show is not depicting animal abuse. The show is depicting those who abuse animals getting their just desserts! I kind of see where you're coming from as I am also an animal lover and I did get extremely pissed at the abuse however, in the end the abuser got what he deserved! (Although, as far as I'm concerned he should be behind bars for the rest of his life!!)
11 1
-
-
O
The show ended when Ziva, Tony, and Abby left. Gibbs in a leadership role was a strech from year 8. He doesn't talk. When others talk he runs out of the room or looks blankly as he sways back and forth. That he is a tough guy ... not. He is an old guy with a bum leg, who dresses badly, can not stop swaying, and can not talk. Give him a rest.
4
-
R
I'm glad I haven't watched it yet. I Cannot watch anything involving animal abuse. I will not watch the next episode if it involves the same. I read his real life wife Pam Dawber will be in 4 episodes in April..
1 5
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services