In a poignant tribute, last night’s NCIS episode unfolded as an emotional homage to David McCallum, the actor behind the beloved character Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, who graced the show for many years.
The episode kicked off with a heartbreaking moment as Dr. Jimmy Palmer, played by Brian Dietzen, arrived at Dr. Mallard’s house with coffee, only to discover that Ducky had peacefully passed away in his sleep.
In a departure from the usual fast-paced opening, the show took a unique approach. The initial scene seamlessly transitioned into the opening credits, featuring the theme song played at a slower pace to match the somber tone of the episode. This intentional decision aimed to pay a respectful tribute to the emotional storyline.
Brian Dietzen, reflecting on the episode, shared the challenges they faced in determining the tone after the moving opening scene. He believed that an abrupt shift to the typical explosive opening wouldn’t be appropriate. Slowing down the introduction was, in his eyes, a beautiful way to commence such a poignant episode, honoring David McCallum and his character, Ducky.
Expressing his satisfaction, Dietzen welcomed others to share their thoughts on how they paid tribute to McCallum’s memory and character.
