Which OG NCIS character returned to say goodbye to Ducky?

It felt obvious that at least one OG NCIS character would be in the important tribute episode for Ducky. The question always was “which one?”

Caution: This post contains spoilers for NCIS Season 21, Episode 2

There were only three OG characters who could arguably return for NCIS’s tribute episode to Ducky. After all, the series killed off one of the characters in the second season finale. So, it was either going to be Gibbs, DiNozzo, or Abby.

Who returned to say goodbye to Ducky in NCIS?

The series opted for a death by natural causes for Ducky. However, he was dealing with a case, and that’s why Palmer was at Ducky’s house the morning that he found him.

The episode focused on Ducky’s final case. It was only at the very end that we saw an OG character return. As everyone else left Palmer in the morgue to say his final goodbyes, we finally found out who would return.

Michael Weatherly’s Tony DiNozzo walked in. It was a beautiful moment as he tied Palmer’s bowtie and told a story in the way that Ducky would have done. There was no other person who could have brought that element of heartfelt humor to the moment.

As much as we would have loved to see Gibbs, there has also been a call to see DiNozzo return. Gibbs was included through a series of flashbacks, including the reminder that Gibbs had kept his family a secret from Ducky for years. DiNozzo hadn’t been included in flashbacks, which should have probably been a giveaway that he would turn up.

It is worth noting that even Abby wasn’t included in flashbacks, but that may have been linked to actress Pauley Perrette who may not have given permission to use archive footage that had her in it.

The episode itself was beautifully done. There wouldn’t have been a dry eye on the internet!

NCIS airs on Mondays at 9/8c on CBS. Catch up the following day on Paramount+.