Brian “Jimmy Palmer” Dietzen penned the farewell episode, which featured a top-secret, fan-favorite return.
Dr. Mallard, he calls to the unmoving form on the bed.
Then the smile slides off his face.
Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) and Jessica Knight (Katrina Law) in NCIS.Credit:Michael Yarish/CBS
Ducky treating McGee for poison ivyall over.
(Palmer knew and never told.)
Ducky learning that Gibbs lost Shannon and Kelly, and Gibbs apologizing to his friend for the omission.
The NCIS team in the wake of Ducky’s death.Michael Yarish/CBS
He provided a little glue to keep us all together, Vance says.
Where’s the clutter, Duck?
At NCIS HQ, Jonesy gratefully accepts a sandwich but isnt forthcoming about his memories about his buddy.
), as well as Ducky hanging Palmers drawings and leaving him in charge of the lab.
But did he ever tell Ducky how he really felt about him?
Why do we do that?
Why do we hold back on telling people every day how much they mean to us?
Kasie assures him that Ducky knew; Palmer showed him over and over with his actions.
Then she takes the opportunity to tell Palmer that she loves him.
A cleaned-up Jonesy delivers the coup de grace with the ripped-out logbook accusation.
(Also, wouldnt she be getting retroactive military benefits?)
In the final minutes of the episode, the team gathers in autopsy before Duckys funeral.
Ducky reminds him that change is sad, but its also the essence of life.
I dont mourn his departure.
Im grateful for it.
Our pain is a small price to pay for his peace.
If you weren’t weeping at this point, you’re made of sterner stuff than I.
(Of course, I was also a crying mess in the first 75 seconds.
You’re good at this, Dietzen.)
But hes not alone for long.
a familiar voice says, and Palmer turns to greet Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly).
Let’s hear it for Tony (and theNCISshowrunners) for the surprise return!!
He had a good friend in you, DiNozzo says.
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