NCIS bid an emotional farewell to David McCallum with the Season 21 episode titled “The Stories We Leave Behind”, airing February 19, 2024. Written by Brian “Jimmy Palmer” Dietzen, the episode opens with Palmer discovering Ducky’s lifeless body at home. What unfolds is a sensitive tribute that balances character grief with a lingering case: clearing a Marine vet’s tarnished name, a storyline tied to Ducky’s final work imdb.com+2the-sun.com+2people.com+2.

Through heartfelt flashbacks, the team reflects on Ducky’s mentorship and warmth—his steady guidance for McGee, his friendship with Gibbs, and countless memorable moments captured over two decades cinemablend.com+2ew.com+2ew.com+2. Vance’s poignant reminder that “loved ones die a second death when their stories stop being told” sets the tone for both the investigation and the unfolding remembrance ew.com.

And just when the grief feels heaviest, the episode delivers a surprise: Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) returns in the final moments to offer one last comforting scene—tying Palmer’s bow tie, authentically channeling Ducky’s voice, and delivering a stirring message about the lives we touch cinemablend.com+5movieguide.org+5ew.com+5. His presence brings uplifting closure and underlines the powerful bonds at the core of the team.

Behind the camera, Brian Dietzen shared how crafting this tribute was a deeply personal labor of love. He described his last conversation with McCallum on the actor’s birthday—just days before his passing—as “meaningful,” and affirmed the show’s desire to celebrate McCallum’s legacy rather than simply mourn it ew.com+4people.com+4the-sun.com+4. The result is a moving farewell that honors both the man and his character, resonating powerfully with fans and cast alike.