‘NCIS’ Finale Sees Gibbs in ‘Unadulterated, Pure, and Blissful Happiness’

NCIS Season 18 Finale Marcie Gibbs
Finale
Cliff Lipson/CBS

Even on suspension, Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) has managed to find peril. In the conclusion to Season 18, the onetime NCIS big boss and investigative reporter Marcie Warren (Pam Dawber, Harmon’s real-life wife, wrapping a four-episode guest arc) follow up on last week’s chilling discovery: The criminal she’s been trailing — the one who murdered her childhood friend — is a serial killer.

“They dig deeper and begin to suspect the killer is aware of their investigation and that they have put themselves in danger,” NCIS executive producer Frank Cardea reveals. “Of course they disagree on how to proceed.”

But proceed they do, and the pair’s road to (hoped for) justice is surprisingly rocky, especially for the usually in-control lawman. “Both are headstrong, opinionated and don’t care what others think of their actions,” Cardea explains. “Marcie does not hesitate to call Gibbs out when he hides behind his stoic facade.” Dawber (above, with Harmon) cuts to the chase: “Marcie gets away with a lot, but she doesn’t have to go home with Gibbs. Need I say more?”

Meanwhile, the NCIS team is again joined by Special Agent Jessica Knight (Katrina Law, Arrow). The episode’s action-y opener finds agents Timothy McGee (Sean Murray), Ellie Bishop (Emily Wickersham) and Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) in the middle of a case involving an arms dealer that, Cardea teases, “has gone very bad very quickly.” Another blow: Bishop is implicated in an old NSA leak.

At least there’s some potentially good news for broken-hearted Torres, who was let down in the May 11 episode when he and Bishop finally had “the talk” about coupling up. She seemed to reject him, but according to executive producer Steven D. Binder, “We’ll find out nothing could be further from the truth.”

NCIS Mark Harmon Season 18 Finale Gibbs Boat Basement

Cliff Lipson/CBS

We also discover another of Gibbs’ trademark rules to live by (this time it’s No. 91) when he finds it necessary to explain it to Bishop. And if that’s not enough to wrap up another year of America’s favorite crime drama in suitably intriguing fashion, Binder promises this NCIS first: “We’ll finally get to see Gibbs in unadulterated, pure and blissful happiness — something that has eluded him since we met him, but which we all agree is long overdue.” Maybe taking care of that pit bull Lucy taught the gruff old guy some new tricks.

NCIS, Season 18 Finale, Tuesday, May 25, 8/7c, CBS

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  1. P

    PurpleTeepee

    I love that Mark Harmon is so Hollywood Handsome. I want to see good looking people when I watch a series, I see enough homely people at work and in my neighborhood. I need the glamour to escape to. I’m also thrilled to see people with gray hair, it’s a treat. Wilma and Bishop are nice but average kinda boring..sorry, Tim is great and just lovely..so lovely and decent Mcgee has those bases covered. Cassie has done a wonderful job replacing Abby.. but I do miss Ducky. But the new gal looks interesting.. I really miss Tony and Ziva that whole crew was the golden years.

    Glad to see Gibbs out and about got tired of him rounding the corner saying dead body get your gear with a coffee in his hand. It’s Good to shake it up a bit.. I also miss that Black actor with the British accent. Something different.

    31 6

    1. J

      Jena

      He needs a better barber. His cut is just weird.

      1. R

        RedCloud

        He's a Marine! Once a Marine, Always a Marine!

        1. J

          Jena

          Most retired Marines I know don't have (or keep) a stupid haircut. 😝

  2. G

    GoldRing

    Lol everyone touches on the strings of the show but I would like to know how Gibbs is going to get that boat out of his basement. The anticipation of watching that happen is killing me.

    24 2

    1. R

      RedCloud

      That dang boat has been torturing me for years! Whenever the series ends (I fervently hope it's not for many more years, they should go longer than L&O SVU) they had better reveal how he gets it out of the basement!!! Inquiring minds NEED to know! ☺ I just hope it's not that he takes it all apart after all that beautiful work!

      2

      1. G

        GreenTurtle

        let up the garage door.. maybe

        1

  3. O

    OrangeMagnet

    I love to see Mark and Pam together. He may be grumpy bu when she gets the best of him he is struggling not to smile.

    21

  4. C

    CyanTag

    I am sad because I have been a fan of NCIS for it's entire span.  It will be like having my brother die. They should run the entire series on a non-major station and I will watch everyone of them again ... If I live that long! And I am just turning 72 this June.

    Sandy G

    19 1

  5. G

    GoldCar

    I will miss NCIS........love Gibbs!

    Love that they brought Pam on for the finale. They are good together!

    17

  6. K

    Kristi Dishner

    What a great show! This is what got me started on the whole family of NCIS! I love the back and forth with Torres and Bishop. One of the best shows around. And as far as people being fixated on looks, what a pathetic way to live.

    18 1

  7. O

    OliveProcessor

    The best NCIS

    15

  8. C

    CyanGuitar

    I miss Gibbs being with his team! I’ve been an avid follower since the first episode. If Gibbs isn’t going back to NCIS then neither am I!

    14

  9. B

    BlueSailboat

    NCIS is a great show I never get tried of it. I hope before the show ends they have Tony and Ziva back together again with their little girl. That Jimmy finds a special new love, that they show Abby in her new life. That Torris and Bishop do get together. Mcgee is set , and finally Gibbs and PD are good, but why did she have to be a reporter!! Bring back Jamie Lee Curtis, sorry PD. Oh and what about Ducky and the Director !! So many stories left to tell.

    13

  10. R

    RedQuill

    You can't cut the show that is one of the best thing going

    8 1

  11. G

    GoldBattery

    I am not a Bishop fan. I have liked the addition of Mark Harmon’s wife, even if it was only for a few episodes. I really like the rest of the team (again minus Bishop). I like Kasie better than Abby.

    I just hope NCIS survives on Monday nights.

    11 7

    1. O

      OrangeLamp

      I love Bishop! She is classy and funny. Not sleezy. I wanted Torres and Bishop to be together. I also love how she and Gibbs have kindof a little bit of a Dad/Daughter kind of deal. Moving a show to a new night is never a good sign...

      8

      1. G

        GoldPuzzle

        Especially when now it will be going up against Monday Night Football

        1

    2. R

      RedCloud

      I never thought anyone could replace Ziva, but Ellie has really grown on me. I really hope she's not leaving!

  12. P

    PurpleCocktail

    Love NCIS & ALL the NCIS shows. Don't understand why NCIS NO is going off the air. Too many really good shows off & silly ones put in their place.

    2

  13. G

    GreenFlask

    I love the show. Miss Ducky. Miss Dinozo and Ziva. But, things change and we adapt. Gibbs is great, as always, no matter what. I'm satisfied with the show. But, if Harmon leaves it will ruin it. Clearly he is what binds everyone.

    2

  14. G

    GreenHat

    I love NCIS and looking forward to see Mark Harmon leads his team.

    2 1

  15. O

    OliveProcessor

    I LOVE NCIS FROM BRASIL

    1

  16. G

    GreenElephant

    Harmon and Dawber have great on-screen chemistry, and I hope that storyline continues into Season 19. I’ll miss both of the blond actresses who left this season.

  17. O

    OliveBox

    Can't stand the new agent. Hope she is done with the end of the season. Great cliffhanger. So glad season 19 is coming. Hope Bishop stays.

  18. P

    PurpleCocktail

    I notice that the cast take on their medical gloves incorrectly (touching contaminated glove with ungloved hand), and often times touch their faces and phones with contaminated gloves. Is there a medical consultant on set that could help them?? PLEASE!!! I LOVE this show otherwise!!!

  19. P

    PurpleHammer

    Suzie, NCIS hasn't been canceled! It will be back in the fall!!

  20. O

    OrangeLamp

    The Boat sits on top of a lift that lowers down to Gibbs garage

  21. P

    PurpleSubmarine

    Boat comes out the removable wall on one side I’d the garage

    1 1

    1. P

      PurpleSubmarine

      Never on the show

  22. P

    PurpleHammer

    I was shocked to have Elinor Bishop go out on a sour note as a traitor and Gibbs being blown up in the boat he just launched. I love this show and never miss an episode. Tonight's episode was heartbreaking. Katie

    1

  23. O

    OliveFlower

    Unadulterated pure and blissful happiness? Is he going to die and be reunited with Shannon and Kelly????? I can’t take it!

    1

  24. R

    RedToast

    She was great in Mork and Mindy, but now is inauthentic and her acting contrived. They may have a good marriage but their scenes together suck.

    1 2

  25. G

    GreenToast

    I've watched all of the NCIS episodes. I miss the 'classic' lineup of: DiNozo, Ziva, Abby, Ducky and Gibbs along with McGee. Bishop & Torres and Cassie are really 2 dimensional and boring compared to their predecessors. Jack Sloan was a nothing-burger. Jimmy is good but Ducky was better. Others that 'came & went' were so boring I've forgot their names!

    2

  26. G

    GoldButterfly

    I never liked that bleach blonde bimbo Bishop from the start. On one episode she tells a probe that rule"17" is that no one is allowed to interrupt an investigation. When this is really rule 22. There is no rule 17.

    2

  27. C

    CyanTree

    Can't take Cassie. Never could take Bishop from the beginning. Tim, Jimmy, and Torres are ok.

    Sorry, but Gibbs is too high and mighty. Better shows in the same genre are SEAL TEAM, CHICAGO PD, FBI, FBI MOST WANTED, SWAT, AND CRIMINAL MINDS just to name a few. In my opinion NCIS has been, and continues to be highjly overrated.

    4

    1. R

      RedCloud

      With all due respect, You're WRONG!😇

      3

  28. J

    Jena

    Oh lord. Think I'll find something else to watch that night.....

    1 5