Sean Murray defends Michael Weatherly’s brief return as Tony DiNozzo on NCIS. In a special episode honoring David McCallum’s legacy, the CBS procedural paid tribute to Ducky. Despite less than ideal circumstances, it provided a chance to reunite with familiar faces. Surprisingly, Mark Harmon’s absence as Leroy Jethro Gibbs turned out to be a blessing in disguise, leading NCIS season 21 to bring back Weatherly instead.
It was great reuniting with the “Very Special Agent,” but DiNozzo’s appearance was ultimately disappointing to some viewers because of how the cameo was brief. Speaking with TVInsider, Sean Murray defends the cameo, saying that it was the perfect way to bring back Weatherly in NCIS season 21. Read his full quote below:
And I think that ending moment was just the perfect right amount of old school NCIS levity that you needed. There was just a touch of it. It was a really special thing with Tony coming in and passing the bow tie off to Palmer. I always loved the relationship that Tony and Jimmy have, too, which is funny. He always calls him Autopsy Gremlin, which, anytime Tony nicknames you, it is a term of endearment as far as he goes.
