NCIS looks back on its history for its 1000th episode via a celebratory video. However, it ignores one character, and it makes Gibbs’ absence worse.
The NCIS 1000th episode celebratory video ignores one original character, and it makes Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ absence worse. CBS’ long-running police procedural franchise has been running for more than two decades now, and despite the end of some of its spinoffs in recent years, the universe, as a whole, isn’t showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon. Several expansion projects are already in various levels of development, such as Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo’s Tony and Ziva NCIS offshoot, nicknamed NCIS: Europe, as well as Mark Harmon’s Gibbs prequel series, NCIS: Origins.
Both shows will be particularly special since they will bring fan-favorite characters back to the franchise. That being said, before these offerings premiere, the NCIS franchise has a bigger and sooner cause of celebration, as the mothership remembers its overall 1000th milestone episode. Titled “A Thousand Yards,” Special Agent Alden Parker’s team deals with a case that puts Director Leon Vance in danger. Ahead of its release, a new NCIS 1000th episode commemorative promo clip has been released, looking back on the universe’s most memorable moments. Noticeably, however, it fails to include one original character.
NCIS’ 1000th Episode Tribute Video Ignores Sasha Alexander’s Caitlin Todd
Sasha Alexander’s Caitlin Todd Is NCIS’ First Female Lead.
The NCIS video features the majority of its key players. While it does miss some characters such as de Pablo’s Ziva, ignoring Sasha Alexander’s Caitlin Todd is arguably a far bigger crime for a couple of reasons. Firstly, Todd was the first female lead of NCIS, with her arrival in the team kickstarting the events of the mothership show. Secondly, her death was a major turning point for the show, as it paved the way for Ziva to come in and become an integral member of Gibbs’ squad.
Granted that the 1000th episode promotional clip also forgot about Ziva, and there may be an argument that this is worse, considering that de Pablo was on the show for far longer than Alexander. More importantly, she is also part of the best NCIS roster, alongside Gibbs, Tony, McGee, Abby, Ducky, and Vance. That being said, at least, de Pablo’s NCIS return is already set. As previously mentioned, she will co-headline a new expansion series with Weatherly. At this point, the NCIS 1000th episode is the only opportunity to remember Todd and her legacy.
How Forgetting Todd Makes Gibbs’ NCIS 1000th Episode Absence Worse
NCIS 1000th Episode Will Refer To The Pilot’s Case.
Gibbs will unlikely be in the NCIS 1000th episode. After missing Ducky Mallard’s tribute outing, the show’s creatives make it clear that they are planning on bringing him back, but they want to make sure that his comeback will be worth the wait. It can’t just be a glorified cameo. While that’s understandable, NCIS’ 1000th episode referencing the show’s pilot will make his absence worse than it actually is. Everyone who worked on that case is no longer on active duty. Although some of them can still return, only Gibbs can return, considering their respective circumstances.
While Todd cannot return to NCIS, since she is long dead, ignoring her, especially how she came to the team, which will be part of the 1000th episode, is disappointing. For context, Alexander’s character was part of the Secret Agent in the pilot. After the breach of security on Air Force One, she was fired, pav ing the way for her to join Gibbs’ team. If NCIS is planning to incorporate the events of that case in its 1000th episode, it can’t forget the role that Todd played in that outing or the show in general.
Can NCIS Still Feature Caitlin Todd (Despite Being Dead)?
NCIS Has Ways To Bring Back Todd After Her Death
Todd’s death at the end of the NCIS season 2 finale was massively shocking, even though it felt like her end was coming for quite a while. Murdered by Ari Haswari — Ziva’s half-brother. Since then, she has been referenced countless times throughout the years. During Ducky’s NCIS season 21 tribute episode, she wasn’t mentioned, but she appeared through group photographs in Dr. Mallard’s old office. This makes her commission in the celebratory 1000th video much more peculiar. The clip even features a shot of the Air Force One from the pilot episode, so it could have easily incorporated her.
NCIS has very limited ways to make up for this blunder, considering Todd’s situation. That being said, it shouldn’t rule out an appearance just because she is long dead. After she was murdered, Alexander still reprised the role in NCIS season 3 as part of the police procedural’s creative storytelling. Each member of Gibbs’ team at that time had visions of her having conversations with them. Some of them were straightforward, others were more insightful, especially her session with Gibbs, who was blaming himself for what happened. It also intensified Gibbs’ rivalry with Ari.
Subsequently, Todd also appeared in several more NCIS episodes, either as hallucinations or explorations of an alternate reality
Subsequently, Todd also appeared in several more NCIS episodes, either as hallucinations or explorations of an alternate reality. If the 1000th episode is revisiting the premiere case, then it would be fairly easy to incorporate her into the narrative. It doesn’t seem like Alexander has any animosity towards her time in the show, so it won’t be difficult to recruit her to film any scenes if that’s called for. This would be the best way to re-examine the said mystery, considering that the chances of other Special Agents coming back for the outing are very slim.
Why No Other Original NCIS Character May Return For The 1000th Episode
Somehow, Todd Is In A Better Position To Make A Cameo Than Her Former Teammates.
Interestingly, among the original cast of characters, only Gibbs and Todd are the best candidates for a cameo in the NCIS 1000th episode, even if the latter is dead. Ducky has just passed away, so bringing him back through archival footage can be divisive, especially after his emotional send-off. Weatherly has just returned as Tony, so seeing him again, as exciting as it is, won’t have the same impact that is worthy of such a milestone. Finally, the chances of Abby appearing are very slim to none, considering Pauley Perrette’s controversial NCIS departure.
Seeing Harmon get involved in Vance’s case and reunite with his old pal, Tobias Fornell would be a great addition to his appearance, which would primarily utilize his knowledge of the Air Force One case from two decades ago. However, this would rob the show of a better opportunity to see him properly return to the series, perhaps before the launch of NCIS: Origins. Todd is simply the best and most creative option for the role. It would also be a great way to honor NCIS’ beginning, which really started when she met Gibbs and his team.