Late last night, TV Guide's Michael Ausiello put in print words that NCIS fans didn't want to see: "NCIS Star Goes AWOL!" As soon as the news hit the Internet, my inbox was flooded with emails asking if I knew who was set to leave the show at the end of the season. I poked my spoilers sources but no answers yet.
NCIS fans will remember that around the same time last year, we heard that Mark Harmon wanted out because of creator Donald P. Bellisario. The latter accepted to reduce his involvement on the show so that Harmon would stay. So who is it this time? Could it be Harmon? Let's analyze the situation and make our predictions.
In his announcement, Ausiello says that it'll be a major cast member (aka a series regular) and that the person will exit the series in a dramatic fashion. He uses the word "actor" and not "actress" but any Ausiello reader knows that he loves to blur the lines; so the choice of word here could mean either male or female. The gossip columnist also adds that this departure will create repercussions that will be felt not only next season but possibly beyond.
Leroy Jethro Gibbs: If Gibbs leaves the show, it would indeed create major repercussions. Not only is he the lead character but he is the heart and soul of the series. When Harmon announced he wanted to quit last season, fans tried to imagine the series without him and it was not a pretty sight. I doubt it's Gibbs because the series would suffer from it too much but we never really know for sure, eh? If it is Gibbs, that would mean that Tony would become the team leader. We pretty much know how that would go since Tony was put in charge when Gibbs resigned from NCIS. I don't think this can be classified as "a departure that will create repercussions that will be felt for years" since we know what we would get. However, if Tony is not put in charge, it would create more ripples.
Anthony DiNozzo / Abby Sciuto / Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard / Timothy McGee / Ziva David: All of these characters are great for various reasons. Their departure would be tragic but I'm not sure it would create a major effect. We (the fans) all thought getting rid of Kate was a terrible decision, yet our mourning of her was over pretty quickly. The only way I see the departure of one of these characters create a major stir that would have ripple effects beyond last season is if it's more tragic than Kate's demise.
Jenny Shepard: Even if Jenny is not a major character, she still is a regular. I think her departure would create the most impact within the series, of course, depending how they deal with it. Imagine that Jenny dies in a tragic death. The team would want to find out who killed her and seek revenge (like they did for Kate). Since NCIS would be left without a director, they would try to promote from within first. Gibbs was acting director once, so why not him? Gibbs becomes director, Tony would become team leader, and someone else would be hired on the team. This musical chair game would have a major effect on the show since it would change the dynamics of the series. Then again, since Jenny is not that important to the show, maybe she's not the one leaving...
Personally, I would prefer that either Ducky, Ziva or Jenny leaves because they would be the easiest to replace (Jimmy could take Ducky's position; since Ziva replaced Kate, someone could replace Ziva; Jenny could be replaced by someone from outside or Gibbs). I care for all three and would prefer that no one leaves and that my favorite NCIS team stays intact.
As soon as I get more clues and/or the name of the person leaving the show, I'll inform you either in a post or in Spoilers Anonymous.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
4-08-2008 @ 3:11PM
Mike said...
Not this again.. hehe...
I think it will be Jenny. I feel she has no real impact on the show. She was one of the last to enter the show.
She show started with Gibs, Tony a female agent (cant remember - in the pilot) Abby, Ducky, Duckies various assistants) and the director.
They brought in Kate to replace the other female agent who screwed up in the pilot. McGee was brought in slowly. Showing up here and there until he was hired as a full time agent.
Kate got shot in the head which floored alot of people. People crying the brutality.. Altho the shows victims die more tragically and disgusting.
Ziva was introduced into the 3rd season to void the loss of Kate. The loss of Kate was overcome. Jenny came at the same time as Ziva but the show mainly revolves now around Gibbs, Tony and Ziva.
So Jenny will be the least missed.
The other supporting actors will be missed but the show will survive.
If the Gibbs, Tony or Ziva are killed the show will have to really do something to keep it alive.
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4-08-2008 @ 3:47PM
Tony B. said...
I could see someone like Esai Morales replacing Mark Harmon with his great run on "Jericho" and playing the Leiutennant on "NYPD Blue" he could do the job and well.
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4-08-2008 @ 4:02PM
nattyff said...
NOOOOOOOOO!!!! i don´t whant anyone dead!!!. I really love the dinamics of the group, and the only way that they would keep that going is
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4-08-2008 @ 4:04PM
Arclight said...
It has already been established that if Gibbs/Harmon leave, that Weatherly/Dinozzo would take over as team leader.
Personally I hope that it is Lauren Holly leaving.
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4-08-2008 @ 4:50PM
nattyff said...
NOOOOOOOOO!!!! i don´t whant anyone dead!!!. I really love the dinamics of the group, and the only way that they would keep that going is if the one who goes is Jenny... so i hope she is the one who bites the dust...
I think that gibs is very much safe... ¿do you know if he has problems with anyone else...?, if that is the case, he sould cut his "divo" crap, he already put bellisario out... if the has a problem with another actor, he is pretty much a goner... (LOVE gibs very much, but if the actor is causing troubles... he sould be the one that goes... but NCIS without gibs... i don't think so...)
Tony and Mcgee: should never leave the show, they are both unique and no one could replaice them, specially for the humor that they both bring to the series, not sure if i would keep waching without them.
Abby and Ducky: Even though a love them to death and i really really don't whant them go, i woud't stop watching without them, is the lest worst departure... (if there is such thing) hope it's jenny though...
Ziva: she win me over in no time, the change of goody good girl kate to ziva was great (she even makes tony blush :), don't whant her gone either, but if is a dramatic exit, she would be the one that i woud pay closer atention with, maybe her time there was an asingment of mossad... so that brings all the drama that betrayed people usually bring, and maybe even one of the team has to kill her off... that is a very dramatic exit to me... AGAIN I DON'T WHANT THESE!!!
I really hoping that is jenny the one to go, again i would really like to know if these is a plot thread that they whant to explore or if hammond making some trouble again... (just really curious).
PD: excuse my grammar!!! (not from the USA :)
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4-08-2008 @ 7:27PM
Lilly said...
I really hope it isn't Tony or Abby. I hope it isn't Gibbs or McGee. I would be sad to loose Ducky or Ziva. I'm okay with Jenny leaving. I initially starting watching this show because of Michael Weatherly, and he is a big part of the appeal for me. Now I watch not only for Tony, but because of the dynamics of all of these characters with each other and as a whole.
Is there any truth about Michael Weatherly getting his own show? The more I think about this news, the more I get a bad feeling that the person leaving is Tony. I know Jeanne is coming back, and maybe he chooses her over the team this time. Aghh! I hope it's not him. I hope it's Jenny. I wish we didn't have to wait around to find out who it is. It's killing me! I know - I'm such a nerd for NCIS.
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4-08-2008 @ 7:32PM
Isabelle Carreau said...
I haven't heard about Michael Weatherly getting his own show. As for Jeanne, she resurfaces but because a family member turns up dead.
4-08-2008 @ 7:53PM
Mares said...
I was told that it was Jenny. That won't bother me as much as it would have, were it any of the other characters.
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4-30-2008 @ 3:39PM
yumenoko said...
I'm hoping you're right. For me, I'd actually probably stop watching the show if Gibbs/Tony/Abby left. I would really hate to see Ziva go since I tried so hard to not like her when they got rid of Kate, but ended up really enjoying her tons. Ducky is adorable, but his quirkiness can be covered by Palmer, if needs be. I also don't want to lose Probie! Poor MgGee had to work his way in and really grew on me. he's a perfect balance for Tony/Ziva and a good straightman to Gibbs. For my money, I'd be pretty unphased if Jenny left.
4-08-2008 @ 8:45PM
noran said...
Ducky only if he personally has medical issues personally would he leave the show. If you read about the actors, he does his own research for his role, and is sooooooooo into it. i feel he would die first, before he would quit. the core group knows that they have a good thing going and are there for the ride. so is between Gibs and Jenny--i put my money on Jenny.
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4-08-2008 @ 9:10PM
Austin M said...
Was is just me, or did Ziva look way more beautiful than she usually does? Was it just the different hair?
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4-08-2008 @ 9:54PM
hub said...
No, it definitely isn't just you; she looked great tonight.
4-09-2008 @ 5:20AM
Gordon Werner said...
Ziva has been lookin really good all season
4-09-2008 @ 12:14AM
Brenda Rice said...
I believe it is Jenny because of tonight's show. The bloodwork was hers and something was wrong. So I believe that if the issue can't be settled, this is her way out with some kind of terminal disease.
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4-09-2008 @ 1:12AM
nattyff said...
hey... these remind me.... WHY IS THAT WE DON'T GET NCIS REVIEWS!!!!
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4-09-2008 @ 5:22AM
Gordon Werner said...
The reviewers are too busy reviewing all the crap reality shows like Big Brother
4-09-2008 @ 1:58AM
KayDee said...
I can't imagine the show without the core team: Gibbs, Tony, Ziva and McGee. I wouldn't want them to replace Abby either - she's too good. I suppose we could replace Ducky, but he's so good, I wouldn't want to! So I say Jenny.
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4-09-2008 @ 6:45AM
Vito said...
If it is Ducky, they should replace him with the coroner character Trisha Yearwood played on a couple of episodes of JAG.
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4-09-2008 @ 8:33AM
tarheelbookworm said...
Love the group dynamics, they all play so well off each other but Jenny would be missed the least.
I enjoy all of them but watch the show because Mark Harmon is there. Mark leaves so do a lot of other female fans.
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4-09-2008 @ 8:46AM
nattyff said...
TO Gordon Werner: HAHAHAHA LOL, you are so right!!
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