NCIS fans have a lot to deal with. After the surprising exit of now-retired actress Pauley Perrette who played Abby Sciuto, they now have to accept the departure of the show’s main character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, played by veteran actor Mark Harmon.
This week, millions of viewers were forced to accept the reality that Gibbs, who was on the show since it first premiered on CBS in 2003, is not coming back for the foreseeable future.
In September, Season 19 of NCIS premiered and immediately left viewers uneasy with the storyline’s direction involving Harmon’s beloved character, who constantly hinted that he had a tough decision to make.
The story unraveled Monday night when Gibbs announced that he was taking a trip to Alaska with McGee, (played by actor Sean Murray), to resolve the Sonova case.
Fans were also in tears and had their hearts racing as they watched Gibbs get deeply emotional while saying goodbye to his team that includes Leon (Rocky Carroll), Ducky (David McCallum), and Torres (Wilmer Valderrama).
After the case was resolved, Mark Harmon’s character announced that he was done with being an NCIS Supervisory Special Agent had no plans to return to Washington, D.C.
He said: “I’m not going back, Tim … I’m not going back home. Whatever I’m feeling, this sense of peace, I have not had this since Shannon and Kelly died. And I’m not ready to let it go.”
McGee wiped away tears as he responded by: “I could not have hoped for anyone better to watch my back for the past 18 years than you, Tim. I love you, man.”
Fans were angry and emotional after watching the tear-jerking episode, with many vowing never to watch the hit series again.
A fan made this gloomy prediction now that Mark Harmon has exited the show: “Gibbs is NCIS! The show will end! The ratings will definitely go down! ????”
This frustrated TV viewer made her anger know, after watching the shocking episode: “Now there is no reason to watch NCIS anymore ???????????.”
This person chimed in: “NCIS will never be the same without Mark Harmon ???.”
Via the show’s official Instagram page, it was confirmed that Mark Harmon had left NCIS after 18 seasons, but he plans to be part of the franchise.
The goodbye message said: “As an executive producer and dear friend, Mark continues to be an integral part of the fabric of the show. Our north star has always been staying true to our characters, and that truth has always guided the stories we tell and where those characters go. So regarding the future of Gibbs, as long-time fans of the show may have noticed over the years…never count Leroy Jethro Gibbs out.”
Viewers were also on the verge of tears after NCIS character Ziva David, played by Cote de Pablo, left the show.
