Amid hopes for Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ return to bid farewell to Ducky, NCIS Season 21, Episode 2 surprised fans with a cameo from Michael Weatherly’s Tony instead of Mark Harmon. Tony’s brief appearance towards the end of the episode provided the emotional support Jimmy Palmer needed to cope with Ducky’s death. While Tony’s cameo was short, it dropped hints about the upcoming NCIS: Europe spinoff, particularly regarding Ziva’s absence.
Given Ziva’s close relationship with Ducky, her absence during Tony’s visit raised questions about their current situation. The official premise of NCIS: Europe, which follows Tony and Ziva on the run across the continent, sheds light on their circumstances. With their safety and that of their daughter at stake, it makes sense that only Tony would attend Ducky’s funeral while Ziva remains in hiding. This subtle detail adds depth to their storyline and sets the stage for the highly anticipated spinoff.