‘NCIS’ Pays Tribute to David McCallum: See Team Mourn Ducky & Work His Unfinished Case (PHOTOS)
Something tells us NCIS is going to deliver one of its saddest, most heartbreaking, and most bittersweet hours with its tribute to longtime cast member David McCallum, who died in September 2023.
CBS has released photos from the February 19 episode, “The Stories We Leave Behind,” written by star Brian Dietzen (fitting, since his Dr. Jimmy Palmer was introduced as Ducky’s assistant) and Scott Williams, and it features the team digging into one of the former medical examiner-turned-historian’s cases.
In the episode, the logline teases, “As NCIS mourns the loss of Ducky, the agents find comfort in working on one of his unfinished cases involving a woman whose father was dishonorably discharged from the Marines.”
This is a case that no one knew he was working. It “was important to Dr. Mallard. In [investigating it], they’re going to relive their memories of a coworker and a man who meant so very much to them,” co-showrunner David J. North told us. In doing so, they ask, “What would Ducky do?” in order to get to the answer. “Brian shed tears writing it; the cast and crew shed tears shooting it,” added North. We have a feeling we will be, too, watching it.
An extended trailer for the season, which offered a look at Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) in trouble with the FBI for something that may have happened with a man from his past who made his family’s life a nightmare, shows what looks like Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Dietzen) finding Ducky dead. And considering now these images show Torres alongside the rest of the team, we’re not too worried about what might be going in the premiere (or the FBI arresting him for murder).
Scroll down to check out the photos from this episode.
NCIS, Season 21 Premiere, Monday, February 12, 9/8c, CBS
Tracking a lead?
Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) and McGee (Sean Murray)
Dr. Palmer (Brian Dietzen)
McGee
Kasie (Diona Reasonover)
What are Dr. Palmer and Knight (Katrina Law) reading?
McGee, among Ducky’s files
Parker (Gary Cole) and McGee, remembering one of Ducky’s many stories?
For Ducky.
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Starting to tear up now. Can’t imagine what will happen when the show airs. I loved David McCallum ever since Man from Uncle. He definitely got better with age!!
I’ll always remember when Kate asked Gibbs what did Ducky look like when he was younger and he answered Ilya Kuriakin😂
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P
I loved that episode and thought I wonder how many people caught that reference! And also when Gary Cole made a Brady Bunch reference! Loved that too.
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G
That is my favorite line from all twenty seasons of NCIS! I loved him in both shows!
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Thanx for the reminder, at which I laughed as long & hard now as I did when I saw Gibbs deliver it. And Illya Kuryakin was one of those "2nd banana" male characters of their bygone era that often, in the eyes of viewers, outshown the leads: right up there with the likes of Kerr Avon, Artemus Gordan, Alexander Scott, Mr. (now S'Chn T'Gai) Spock, Rowdy Yates, etc.
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Wasn't it spelled Illya? I never missed an episode, but it was not to watch the N. Solo guy, never could stand him.
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G
I wish Gibbs, Tony and Ziva would be on this show giving respects to Ducky. They all spent years together!
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To me it would be disrespectful if Gibbs doesn't make an appearance 😪
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R
Crying already 😢 everyone who ever worked with Ducky should be in this episode 😞
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G
It would disappointing if they didn't. Even Abby, they should swallow their pride and show him the respect he deserves
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I think everyone that Ducky worked with should get over themselves and be grown ups and be in the memorial service for the memory of the Duck and show up for the memorial episode
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I look forward to seeing the tribute and am sure will shed tears. It is so fitting to close this chapter of his life as well as giving closure to those who have watched David McCallum she she was a young girl who loved him on the Man From U.N.C.L.E and then on NCIS.
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C
Ducky was my favourite character, when I heard he passed away, I was and still am heartbroken 💔, There's only 1 original cast member left now and that is McGee even though he wasn't it in it from pilot episode but came in soon after
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The NCIS cast has become part of the family. Losing Ducky was like losing an uncle, pun jntended. I had hoped Gibbs would be in this episode, but even without Gibbs, I am glad they are doing something for David McCallum.
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I loved Ducky and Ziva, I almost quit watching when Cote left, I did quit a few weeks after Gibbs left, the family had broken up . . .
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