In “The Stories We Leave Behind” from “NCIS” Season 21, the return of Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo is pivotal. With the discovery of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard’s (David McCallum) passing, the central team is engulfed in grief. However, DiNozzo becomes a beacon of solace for those left behind, including the audience possibly still grappling with McCallum’s real-life departure. Crafting such an emotionally charged episode undoubtedly required meticulous effort, yet there remained room for some spontaneous moments.
Sean Murray, portraying Timothy McGee, discussed his experience working on this crucial episode, particularly his scene with Weatherly. “We actually did a lot of different versions of that last scene,” he shared. “The main parts were set, but once Michael and I started our banter towards the end and entered the elevator, every take was different. They let us ad lib.”
This spontaneous energy shines in a moment where DiNozzo and Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) share a poignant exchange before McGee interrupts, informing them they’re running late. As Palmer extinguishes the lights, DiNozzo engages McGee in casual conversation about movies. DiNozzo’s lighter approach underscores the unwavering support within the NCIS team, especially during moments of adversity like this.
