‘NCIS’ in 2021: McGee & Delilah’s Vacation, Gibbs & Fornell’s Crusade (PHOTOS)

Sean Murray Mark Harmon NCIS Season 18 Episode 4 5 McGee Gibbs
Sonja Flemming/CBS (2)

NCIS left off with a bit of a cliffhanger in its fall finale, and it looks like the CBS procedural is not only going to resolve it, but also reveal exactly what’s going on in the March 2020 timeline when it returns.

The first two episodes of 2021, “Sunburn” and “Head of the Snake,” air back-to-back January 19 and see Margo Harshman return as Special Agent McGee’s (Sean Murray) wife Delilah and Special Agent Gibbs (Mark Harmon) looking for the MIA Fornell (Joe Spano). Did his old friend’s investigation lead him into some trouble, hence why he disappeared from his undercover gig at the burger joint? He had found the alias of the kingpin of the counterfeit opioid ring they’ve been tracking, last Gibbs heard from him.

The first hour sees McGee and Delilah’s vacation in the Bahamas interrupted when the team’s case (the investigation of a dead escape room manager) is connected to the island. Plus, Gibbs finds blood as he searches for Fornell. It’s directed by series star Rocky Carroll (NCIS director Leon Vance), and the photos below offer a behind-the-scenes look.

Then in the second hour, Gibbs and Fornell’s mission “comes to a climax,” the logline teases. “Gibbs and Vance finally let the team in on a case that has dangerous implications,” and photos reveal the other agents will get involved.

And yes, the photos from this episode also reveal that Fornell is alive, but it also looks like Gibbs and Special Agent Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) are at the same airport as the premiere’s opening scene (which took place in March 2020). Gibbs is wearing the same clothes and hat he was when he shot McGee(!) in the arm and leg. We’ll finally find out exactly what’s going on there.

Scroll down to see the photos from “Sunburn” and “Head of the Snake.”

NCIS, 2021 Return, Tuesday, January 19, 8/7c, CBS

NCIS Team Season 18 Episode 4 Crime Scene
Sonja Flemming/CBS

"Sunburn" (Season 18, Episode 4)

Bishop (Emily Wickersham), Gibbs (Mark Harmon), Dr. Palmer (Brian Dietzen), and Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) at a crime scene

Sean Murray Margo Harshman NCIS Season 18 Episode 4 McGee Delilah
Sonja Flemming/CBS

McGee (Sean Murray) and Delilah (Margo Harshman) on vacation

McGee Delilah Vacation NCIS Season 18 Episode 4
Sonja Flemming/CBS

How adorable are these two?!

McGee NCIS Season 18 Episode 4 Vacation Delilah
Sonja Flemming/CBS

What’s McGee doing?

Margo Harshman as Delilah, drinking win - NCIS - Season 18 Episode 4
Sonja Flemming/CBS

Is Delilah having flashbacks to their dinner being ruined and used to stage a crime scene (Season 13’s “After Hours”)?

Sean Murray as McGee NCIS Season 18 Episode 4
Sonja Flemming/CBS

What’s McGee looking at?

Director Rocky Carroll Sean Murray NCIS Behind the Scenes
Sonja Flemming/CBS

Behind the scenes with director Rocky Carroll and Sean Murray

Joe Spano as Fornell and Wilmer Valderrama as Torres in NCIS - Season 18, Episode 5
Sonja Flemming/CBS

"Head of the Snake" (Season 18, Episode 5)

Well, at least it doesn’t look like Fornell (Joe Spano) is hurt.

Wilmer Valderrama Emily Wickersham NCIS Season 18 Episode 5 Torres Bishop
Sonja Flemming/CBS

Torres and Bishop

Wilmer Valderrama and Mark Harmon NCIS Season 18 Episode 5 Torres Gibbs
Sonja Flemming/CBS

Torres and Gibbs