In “NCIS” Season 21’s episode titled “The Stories We Leave Behind,” the return of Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo becomes pivotal. When the team learns of the passing of Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (David McCallum), they are enveloped in grief. However, DiNozzo emerges as a beacon of solace for both the characters left behind and the audience, possibly still reeling from McCallum’s real-life demise. Crafting such an emotionally charged episode undoubtedly required meticulous effort, yet there remained room for some spontaneous, lighter moments.
Sean Murray, known for his portrayal of Timothy McGee on “NCIS,” discussed the process of working on this crucial episode with TV Insider. Murray revealed, “We actually did a lot of different versions of that last scene.” He explained that while the main elements were set, the interactions between himself and Weatherly in the elevator scene were open to improvisation. “Every time we did it, we were talking about something different. They would just let us ad lib,” Murray added.
The standout moment occurs when DiNozzo and Jimmy Palmer (Brian Dietzen) share a poignant moment before McGee enters to inform them they’re running late. As Palmer performs the emotional task of turning off the lights, DiNozzo engages McGee in a lighthearted conversation about movies. This interaction not only injects a lighter energy into the scene but also underscores the unwavering support and camaraderie within the NCIS team, especially during times of adversity.