The disappointing tribute episode for Ducky in the NCIS franchise can be explained by the exciting updates happening within the larger NCIS universe. In the recent episode titled "The Stories We Leave Behind" in season 21, Ducky's character was given an emotional farewell as Agent Alden Parker and the team come together to solve his final case. While it was expected that the team would crack the mystery, there was some disappointment over the lack of cameo appearances in the episode.
Ducky's tribute in NCIS was not necessarily bad; it served as a touching send-off for the last original character in the series. However, given Dr. Mallard's significance to the organization throughout its different iterations, there were high expectations for the tribute. Surprisingly, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by Mark Harmon, was notably absent from Ducky's funeral. Instead, the show brought back Michael Weatherly's character, Tony DiNozzo, for a brief appearance. Although it was exciting to see the return of DiNozzo, it still left fans wishing for more. Nevertheless, there was a specific reason behind the decision to focus on DiNozzo's cameo rather than bringing back other familiar faces.
NCIS: Europe Spinoff Explains Why Tony DiNozzo Couldn’t Stay
Michael Weatherly as DiNozzo and Brian Dietzen as Palmer in NCIS - NCIS: Europe Spinoff Explains Why Tony DiNozzo Couldn’t Stay
Shortly after Ducky's tribute episode, news broke that the NCIS franchise is expanding with a spinoff featuring Tony and Ziva David. The upcoming series, tentatively titled NCIS: Europe, will be streaming on Paramount+ instead of CBS. Production is scheduled to begin in the coming months. The show will follow Tony and Ziva as they run across the continent, although the reason for their escapade remains a mystery. This explains why Tony couldn't make it to Ducky's tribute sooner or stay longer.
Tony's updates during his return in NCIS season 21 now make more sense in light of the spinoff news. He mentioned grabbing a bow tie from London, indicating his whereabouts before landing in Washington DC. His passing comment about just passing through aligns with the premise of NCIS: Europe. Since Tony and Ziva are on the run, they can't stay in one place for long, which is why he couldn't spend more time with his old friends.
Ziva’s Absence In Ducky’s Tribute Is Explained By NCIS: Europe’s Premise
Ziva and DiNozzo turning to look at something off-camera in NCIS - Ziva’s Absence In Ducky’s Tribute Is Explained By NCIS: Europe’s Premise
The premise of NCIS: Europe explains why Ziva couldn't join Tony. Although their reunion hasn't been shown on the series, the couple has been together raising their daughter, Tali. Both Ziva and Tony would have normally attended Ducky's funeral, but traveling transatlantic with Tali could be risky. Being separated makes it harder to track them, increasing their chances of survival. Hopefully, they can all make it to the DMV for NCIS season 21 before heading back to Europe.
You can catch new episodes of NCIS season 21 every Monday at 9pm ET on CBS.
Editor's P/S:
The tribute episode for Ducky in NCIS season 21 was met with mixed reactions. While some fans appreciated the emotional farewell given to the last original character, others were disappointed by the lack of cameo appearances. The absence of Leroy Jethro Gibbs and Ziva David was particularly noticeable. However, the recent announcement of an NCIS spinoff featuring Tony and Ziva helps to explain these decisions.
The upcoming NCIS: Europe series will follow Tony and Ziva as they run across the continent. This premise explains why Tony couldn't stay longer for Ducky's tribute and why Ziva couldn't join him. The couple's need to remain on the move for their safety makes it difficult for them to attend events like funerals. While fans may have been hoping for a more comprehensive tribute to Ducky, the NCIS: Europe spinoff provides a satisfying explanation for the absence of certain characters.
