Warning! Spoilers ahead for the NCIS season 21 premiere.
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Summary
The
NCIS
season 21 premiere ends with a cliffhanger about devastating news from Palmer, leading to a new challenge for the team.
The devastating news is likely the death of Ducky Mallard, the oldest member of the team, which will be addressed in the next episode.
Ducky’s tribute episode will involve the team solving a mystery he was working on before his passing, and there is a possibility of former
NCIS
agents returning for the send-off.
NCIS season 21, episode 1 ends with a massive cliffhanger about devastating news from Palmer. After an extended hiatus, TV’s favorite naval agents are back solving cases involving Marines, all while also navigating their personal lives. In the season 21 opener, “Algún Día,” Torres takes center stage as NCIS resolves his fate from the season 20 finale. Charged with murder, the increasing evidence against him has Parker and the team scrambling to prove his innocence. Ultimately, they succeed, but before they can even move on from the challenges brought by Torres’ case, they are faced with a new one.
While Torres is exonerated from all charges despite the real killer still being on the loose, his spot in Parker’s team wasn’t guaranteed. Even had doubts about being able to reclaim his old job, especially after he tried making it harder for his squad to help him. He eventually gets reinstated, but before the team jets off to their new case, Parker gets a phone call from Palmer, who delivers tragic news. NCIS season 21 holds off revealing what it is until next week, but it’s clear what it is about.
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Palmer’s Devastating News In NCIS Season 21, Episode 1 Is Ducky’s Death
Based on the established storytelling plan for NCIS season 21, it’s safe to say that Palmer’s news is the death of Ducky Mallard. The long-term medical examiner-turned-historian was the oldest member of the team, pre-dating anyone currently active on the roster. In light of David McCallum’s death in September 2023, NCIS and its creatives decided to pay tribute to the cast member by devoting a special send-off for Ducky, which is scheduled for NCIS season 21, episode 2, “The Stories We Leave Behind.” Palmer’s call to Parker effectively sets the stage for that emotional outing.
Brian Dietzen, who plays Palmer — Duck’s long-time assistant and protégé, co-wrote the special
NCIS
episode.
What To Expect From Ducky’s Tribute Episode In NCIS Season 21, Episode 2
Pertinent information about Ducky’s tribute episode was revealed ahead of the NCIS season 21 premiere. Instead of the team simply reminiscing about how integral he was in the team’s operations over the years, the writers opted to incorporate his death into an upcoming case. As it turns out, Ducky was working on a mystery by himself before he passed away. Now, it’s up to Parker, McGee, and the rest of the squad to make sure that it gets resolved. They sift through Ducky’s evidence, which prompts them to discover more about the beloved character.
What’s curious now is if there’s any other former NCIS agent that will appear in the Ducky tribute episode. In light of McCallum’s death, there won’t be any original cast members in NCIS season 21 as series regulars. However, some can return to send off Ducky, especially since most of them either just retired or walked away from the job. Recently, Michael Weatherly expressed his desire to revisit his role as DiNozzo, and if he comes back, perhaps, he can bring Cote de Pablo’s Ziva with him. Among everyone, however, Mark Harmon’s Gibbs’ possible appearance is the most important.
NCIS
season 21 airs every Monday, 9pm ET on CBS.
NCIS
NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) focuses on the sometimes complex and always amusing dynamics of a team forced to work together in high-stress situations. Special Agent Alden Parker, a quirky former FBI agent who solves his cases with calm professionalism and sharp, sarcastic charm, leads the NCIS team, which includes NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee, an MIT graduate with a knack for computers who has now graduated to senior field agent; the charismatic, unpredictable and resilient NCIS Special Agent Nicholas “Nick” Torres, who has spent most of his career on solo undercover assignments; and sharp, athletic and tough NCIS Special Agent Jessica Knight, a formidable REACT agent who specializes in hostage negotiations and high-risk operations. The naïve Jimmy Palmer is assisting the team, who graduated from assistant to fully licensed medical examiner and now runs the morgue; and forensic scientist Kasie Hines, Ducky’s former graduate assistant. Overseeing operations is NCIS Director Leon Vance, an intelligent, highly trained agent who can always be counted on to shake up the status quo. From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, these special agents investigate all crimes with Navy or Marine Corps ties.
Release Date September 23, 2003
Cast sean murray , Wilmer Valderrama , Katrina Law , Brian Dietzen , david mccallum , Mark Harmon , Rocky Carroll , Gary Cole , Joe Spano
Seasons 21
Writers Donald P. Bellisario