Latest NCIS Episode Leaves Gibbs’ Future in Question

Latest NCIS Episode Leaves Gibbs’ Future in Question

By Movieguide® Staff

Note: This article contains major spoilers for Season 18, Episode 10 of NCIS.

The “Watchdog” episode of NCIS Season 18 ended with Director Vance indefinitely suspending Leroy Jethro Gibbs from the NCIS team after Gibbs attacked a man whom Gibbs thought was torturing and murdering animals.

The move has some critics asking if it’s signaling Mark Harmon’s exit from the series.

Headlines read: ‘NCIS’: Is Gibbs Leaving the Show After Being Suspended? and Whoa, Did NCIS Just Set the Stage for a Part-Time Mark Harmon Next Season?

After all, Harmon’s deal is up this year and CBS hasn’t announced a 19th season yet. This mid-season finale could be setting the stage to have Harmon step down as one of the main cast members.

As Parade reports:

What’s it going to take to get him reinstated? Sessions with shrink Grace (Laura San Giacomo)? Or maybe Gibbs has seen enough and this is it for him; Emily’s death was the last straw. As this is the midseason finale of NCIS, it will be several weeks until we learn the outcome.

There has been talk that Harmon isn’t interested in returning for a 19^th season, so maybe this is a way for CBS to test the waters to see if the show can work without Harmon’s presence–at least in every episode.

While fans speculate, though, NCIS announced they would bring in Harmon’s real-life wife, Pam Dawber, for a few episodes later this season.

The conservative show has been a staple of the CBS lineup for the better part of two decades.

NCIS continually supports patriotic values and encourages Christian virtue. Even in “Watchdog,” Gibbs encourages his team to “tell the truth” about what they witnessed and is angry when they lie to protect him.

This moral conundrum most likely is not in vain, though, and the team will eventually face the consequences of their sin.

NCIS has been honored at the Movieguide® Awards Gala and Report to the Entertainment Industry in years past.

The Season 17 finale, NCIS: “The Arizona” is nominated for the Faith & Freedom Award® For Television and Streaming for this year’s Movieguide®’s Movies That Inspire broadcast.

Tune in on Easter Sunday, April 4, at 4 p.m. ET, on The REELZ Channel to see who takes home the prize.