In the latest episode of the CBS police procedural NCIS, fans spotted a couple of nostalgic Easter eggs referencing Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Gibbs, portrayed by Mark Harmon, was one of the last remaining original cast members on the show, appearing from its debut in Season 1 until his retirement to Alaska in Season 19, Episode 4 (“Great Wide Open”) in 2021.
In Season 22, Episode 7 (“Hardboiled”), Agent Torres receives intel from a confidential informant about top-secret naval technology at risk of being sold. Meanwhile, McGee and Palmer find themselves navigating a different kind of challenge as referees for their children’s local soccer league.
As the team investigates the suspicious death of Roger Carnahan, they meet Dr. Wendy Lythcott (Lesley Fera), head of the Office of Naval Research. She reveals Carnahan was working on MAD Falcon, a next-generation nuclear-capable hypersonic missile, and expresses concern for his wife, Amber, urging the team to prioritize her safety. Traffic camera footage of a white van near the scene of Carnahan’s murder prompts Agent Parker (Gary Cole) to invoke Gibbs’s Rule 39: “There is no such thing as a coincidence.”
Gibbs’s famous list of rules was a defining trait of his character, and fans appreciated the callback. One viewer shared on X: “Love how even in S22 the writers still give us references back to Gibbs. #NCIS Gibbs Rule #39. Thanks for keeping the spirit of Gibbs alive.”
The episode’s B-plot added humor and heart, featuring Dr. Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) and Agent Timothy McGee (Sean Murray) refereeing their kids’ soccer championship. A controversial call leads to “RefGate 2024,” with forensic scientist Kasie (Diona Reasonover) playfully dubbing the incident. In a particularly touching moment, Palmer stops an elevator between floors to discuss the disagreement with McGee. Referring to the elevator as “Gibbs’s conference room,” Palmer remarks that it’s his first time using the move for a private conversation—a signature habit of Gibbs.
Fans celebrated the tribute, with one posting on X: “Jimmy pulling a Gibbs, omgggg,” while another wrote: “I love that Jimmy and McGee are in the elevator. A nice heartfelt nod to Gibbs.”
Even in its 22nd season, NCIS continues to honor the legacy of its beloved former leader, keeping Gibbs’s presence alive for longtime viewers.
