In “The Stories We Leave Behind” from NCIS Season 21, Michael Weatherly’s return as Tony DiNozzo becomes pivotal when the team mourns the loss of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (David McCallum). DiNozzo’s presence offers solace to the grieving team and perhaps to viewers still reeling from McCallum’s real-life passing. Crafting such an emotional episode required meticulous effort, yet there was room for some spontaneous humor.
Sean Murray, known as Timothy McGee on NCIS, discussed filming the episode with TV Insider, shedding light on the improvisational aspects. “We actually did a lot of different versions of that last scene,” he revealed. “The main parts we had down, but as far as once Michael and I would start doing our thing towards the end and go into the elevator, every time we did it, we were talking about something different. They would just let us ad lib.”
The scene unfolds as DiNozzo and Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) share a poignant moment before McGee interrupts with news of being late. Palmer handles the emotional beat by turning off the lights, while DiNozzo engages McGee in light banter about movies. This moment highlights the enduring bond of the NCIS team, showcasing their unwavering support for one another, especially in times of adversity.